Role of vitamin E and selenium in egg production, fertility and hatchability of native ducks

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary vit E and Se on egg production, fertility and hatchability of native ducks in intensive system of management. Basal diet mixed with 0.5g vitamin E and 50 ppm selenium per 100 kg feed constitutes the feed of treatment group against only basal diet to control group that continued for 12 weeks of experiment period. Eggs produced were incubated for production of ducklings. Egg production, fertility and hatchability were recorded. Blood serum samples were estimated for total protein, total cholesterol and GOT at eighth week. The study revealed significant improvement of egg production, fertility and hatchability for the treatment group. Biochemical parameters of blood showed no significant difference between treatment and control. Thus it may be concluded that dietary supplementation of vitamin E and selenium to the laying native ducks is beneficial for egg production, fertility and hatchability.