Ducks are reared from day-old ducks (DOD) until they are 8 weeks old in cages; ducks only have access to water for drinking. The treatment gave rations with various electrolyte balances (100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mEq/kg ration). Ducks fed rations with electrolyte Balance 150 and 200 mEq/kg had digestibility of dry matter (DDM), organic matter (DOM), and crude protein (DCP) highest with values of DDM between 59.74 % - 61.01 % (P<0.05), Value DOM between 61.88 to 62.36 % and the value of DCP 70.79 -71.90 %. Ducks fed rations with electrolyte balances 150 and 250 mEq gave the highest ME, MEn, and nitrogen retention, with ME values between 2664-2676 kcal/kg, the value of MEn between 2589- 2605 kcal/kg, and nitrogen retention between 71.21 % - 74.85 % (P<0.05). Ducks that have performance lower than ducks fed rations with an electrolyte balance of 250 mEq/kg. At age 8 weeks, ducks were fed rations with an electrolyte balance of 100 mEq/kg, lower (P<0.05) than 300 and 350 mWq/kg. Ducks fed rations with electrolyte balances 250, 300, and 350 mEq/kg have a high feed intake for up to 5 weeks and a high body weight until 7 weeks. Until 8 weeks, the lowest feed conversion is achieved by ducks fed rations with an electrolyte balance of 250 mEq/kg and a feed conversion rate of 4.33, followed by the highest weight (1213 g), although not significantly different from the others (P>0.05). The level of electrolyte balance does not affect drinking water consumption. This indicates that such levels of electrolytes can be tolerated in relation to the water transportability and osmotic pressure of the extracellular fluid.
Keywords | Ducks, Electrolyte, Intensive, Performance, Metabolism