Effect of diets supplemented with Wedelia Chinensis plants on nutrient digestibility and growth performance of Hepu geese

ObjectiveThe studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of diets supplemented with Wedelia chinensis on nutrients digestion and growth performance of goose.MethodNinety-six 21 d Hepu geese with similar body weight were randomly selected in 4 groups and given 4 treatments of diets:concentrate + fresh elephant grass (diet 1 ) ; concentrate + fresh W.chinensis (diet 2); concentrate +10% W.chinensis powder + fresh W.chinensis (diet 3); concentrate + 22%W.chinensis powder + fresh W.chinensis (diet 4).Each group of geese (24 geese in 1:1 of male:female ratio) was fed indoor in triplicate for 42 d and digestion was monitored after 7 d of adaptation to the diets.The apparent digestibility of dietary nutrients was determined and the blood physiological indices and slaughtering traits were also measured at the end of trial.ResultThe results showed lesser apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) and energy in geese fed with diet 4 compared to those fed with diet 1,2 and 3 (P<0.05).The geese fed diet 2,3 and 4 showed better apparent digestibility for fibrous materials,including acid detergent fiber(ADF),neutral detergent fiber(NDF) and hemi-cellulose,compared to geese fed with diet 1 (P<0.05).No significant differences were observed for digestion of other nutrients among the 4 diets (P>0.05).The geese fed with diet 2 showed higher daily weight gain than those fed with diet 1,3 (P<0.05) and diet 4 (P<0.01),however,geese fed with diet 1 and 3 did not show significant difference amongst them (P>0.05).Also,no significant difference was observed in blood physiological indices and slaughter traits among 4 groups (P>0.05).ConclusionIt may be concluded that W.chinensis can be used as a good feedstuff for geese when it is supplemented with diet in proper form and suitable ratio.