Effects of fermented Desmodium intortum forage on laying performance and egg quality of Linwu ducks under heat stress conditions

KUANG Wentao; LIANG Yaoquan; GENG Liang; PENG Jianzong

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2026.02.007

Abstract：This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementary fermented Desmodium intortum forage on the laying performance and egg quality of Linwu ducks under heat stress conditions.A total of 216 healthy Linwu laying ducks with similar body condition were selected at the onset of a continuous high-temperature period.They were randomly divided into two groups,with three replicates per group and 36 ducks per replicate.Control group was fed a basal diet,while supplemental feeding group replaced 3%of the basal diet with fermented Desmodium intortum forage.The trial period lasted for nine weeks.The results showed that when the daily maximum temperature in the duck house consistently exceeded 30℃,the laying rate in control group significantly decreased and recovered slowly even after the high temperatures subsided.Compared to the month before the high-temperature period,the weekly egg production rate of the control group during the experimental period decreased by 2.57%～18.03%.In contrast,the decrease in the laying rate of supplemental feeding group during the same period was only 1.07%to 8.35%.The average laying rate in supplemental feeding group during the supplementary feeding period increased by 6.26%compared to the control group,and the feed-egg ratio decreased by 3.57%.There was no significant difference in egg quality indicators between the two groups(P>0.05),but the yolk ratio and eggshell thickness of the supplementary feeding group on the 60th day showed an increasing trend.The nitrogen content in the excreta of supplemental feeding group was decreased by 6.80%compared to the control group,indicating higher nitrogen utilization efficiency.The study shows that supplementary this fermented Desmodium intortum forage can alleviate heat stress in Linwu ducks,improve nitrogen utilization,and thereby help maintain a higher laying rate.It is recommended for practical application in farming during summer and early autumn.