Influence of Trichanthera (Trichanthera gigantea) Meal on the Egg Production Performance of Philippine Mallard Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

The rising cost of commercial feeds and the increasing emphasis on sustainable poultry production have stimulated interest in alternative feed resources for Philippine Mallard Ducks (Itik Pinas). This study evaluated the nutritional composition of Trichanthera gigantea foliage meal and its effects on the laying characteristics of Philippine Mallard Duck (PMD) layers. A total of 160 PMD were assigned to four dietary treatments following a Completely Randomized Design, with four replicates per treatment and ten ducks per replicate (2 drakes and 8 layers). The experimental diets were formulated as follows: T0 (100% commercial mash), T1 (90% commercial mash + 10% T. gigantea meal), T2 (80% commercial mash + 20% T. gigantea meal), and T3 (70% commercial mash + 30% T. gigantea meal). Prior to the feeding trial, the proximate composition, calcium, phosphorus, and metabolizable energy contents of T. gigantea meal were determined. Results revealed that increasing dietary inclusion of T. gigantea meal significantly influenced laying traits. Egg size was significantly enhanced (p < 0.03), while laying rate increased progressively with higher inclusion levels of T. gigantea meal, with the highest response observed in T3 (p < 0.0001). In contrast, changes in live body weight of PMD layers were not significantly affected by dietary treatments during the seven-week feeding period (p > 0.05), indicating that body weight maintenance was not compromised by partial replacement of commercial feed. These findings revealed that T. gigantea foliage meal is a nutritionally suitable and sustainable alternative feed ingredient for PMD layers. Inclusion levels of up to 30% can enhance laying traits and egg size without adverse effects on body weight, providing a cost-effective and environmentally sound feeding strategy for duck production systems in the Philippines.