Abstract
The influence of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, intestinal development, and lipid metabolism was assessed in 600 one-day-old male meat ducks (Cherry Valley ducks) from 1 to 35 d of age. Diets were supplemented with 0, 200, 500, 800 and 1,500 mg/kg NCC during both the starter (1-14 d) and grower (15-35 d) phases. Each dietary treatment consisted of 8 replicate cages of 15 birds. Supplementation of NCC was associated with dose dependent increases in BW gain and feed intake (P < 0.01) during 1-14 d of age and in BW at 35 d of age. As NCC content increased, the percentage of breast meat weight (P < 0.05) and leg (with bone) weight (P < 0.05) linearly increased, while the percentage of abdominal fat weight (P < 0.01) linearly decreased in ducks at 35 d of age. Supplementation of NCC resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the weight (P < 0.05) and density (P < 0.01) of the cecum. The percentage of total hepatic lipid content (P < 0.01) at 14 d of age and serum triglyceride (TG) concentration (P = 0.052) at 35 d of age linearly decreased with increasing of dietary NCC addition. In conclusion, inclusion of 1,500 mg/kg NCC in feed resulted in the greatest improvements in duck performance, intestinal development and lipid deposition.