Abstract
The present research aimed to evaluate the addition of zinc (Zn) on antioxidant activity, blood profile, mineral availability, and abdominal fat of Sikumbang Janti duck. A total of 96 female Sikumbang Janti ducks aged 8 weeks were used in this research. This study used a completely random design with four treatments and four replications (6 duck/replications). The treatments were as follows control diet (Z0), the addition of 30 mg Zn/kg (Z1), 60 mg Zn/kg (Z2), and 90 mg Zn/kg(Z3). Variables observed were antioxidant activity, blood profile, mineral content in the tibia, and abdominal fat. The results showed that Zn addition on feed significantly increased antioxidant activity (DPPH), Zn concentration in thigh, leukocytes, mineral availability (Ca, P, and Zn) (P<0.01), and decreased weight of abdominal fat in Sikumbang Janti duck (P<0.01). Blood profiles (except leukocytes) were not affected by the addition of Zn in the diet (P>0.05). It is concluded that the Z2 (60 mg Zn/kg) addition improves antioxidant activity, blood leukocytes, zinc content in thigh meat, mineral availability, and decreases abdominal fat weight of Sikumbang Janti duck.