Growth performance of Muscovy ducks fed home-mixed diets supplemented with varying levels of Hagonoy (Chromolaena odorata) leaf meal

Hagonoy (Chromolaena odorata) is an abundant yet underutilized plant in the Philippines with potential as an alternative feed ingredient for poultry production. This study was conducted at Isabela State University from 5th January 2025 to 5th March 2022, to evaluate the effects of Hagonoy leaf meal (HLM) on duck growth, feed efficiency and economic viability, to determine the optimal inclusion level for improved weight gain, feed utilization and profitability. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed using four dietary treatments with 10 ducks per replication: T1 (Control – home-mixed feeds [HF] + 0 % HLM), T2 (HF + 2 % HLM), T3 (HF + 4 % HLM) and T4 (HF + 8 % HLM). Parameters measured included weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio (FCR), dressing percentage, organ weights, hematological values and economic returns. Results showed that ducks supplemented with 4 % HLM (T3) consistently achieved the highest growth performance, with a final body weight of 1178.50 g at eight weeks, the most efficient feed conversion ratio and the highest return above feed and duckling cost (Php 2164.24; 34.24 %). Feed consumption and dressing percentage were not significantly affected, although higher liver and pancreas weights were noted at 8 % HLM, suggesting possible physiological stress. Moreover, a 4 % inclusion of HLM is recommended as the optimal level for improving growth, feed utilization and profitability in Muscovy duck production without compromising carcass yield or meat quality.