Influence of Houttuynia Cordata Powder on The Growth Performance of Ducks and The Impact of AlCl3Treatment on Ammonia flux in Duck Litter

Abstract

The effects of Houttuynia cordata powder on the growth performance of ducks were investigated. Ninety ducks were assigned into one of three dietary treatments as a completely randomized design for 6 weeks: feeds supplemented with 1% or 2% H. cordata and a control group. No significant difference was observed in feed conversion among the three groups (p > 0.05), but addition of H. cordata had a significantly positive effect (p < 0.05) on initial and final body weight, weight gain, and feed intake of the ducks. Furthermore, the effects of chemical treatment (comprising 50 g and 100 g aluminum chloride [<TEX>$AlCl_3$</TEX>] per kilogram litter) on the ammonia (<TEX>$NH_3$</TEX>) flux in duck litters were also investigated. Duck litter was treated with <TEX>$AlCl_3$</TEX> at a depth of 8 cm by top-dressing; this resulted in a significant difference on <TEX>$NH_3$</TEX> flux (p < 0.05) during the experimental period (but not at 2 weeks). <TEX>$NH_3$</TEX> flux at 6 weeks were reduced by 25.4% and 37.5% by treatment with 1% and 2% H. cordata, respectively, compared with the control groups. In conclusion, enriching the diets of the ducks with 2% H. cordata and adding 100 g <TEX>$AlCl_3$</TEX> to their litter has beneficial effects on increasing their growth performance and reducing <TEX>$NH_3$</TEX> flux in their environment.