Ducks

Duck-specific research is limited, so recommended rates stay within the range used in poultry trials. Moderate fibre from olive cake supported productive and reproductive performance in Domiaty ducks, and laying hens fed 4–6% olive pulp had fewer broken eggshells.

What the research shows

• Good productive and reproductive performance at moderate fibre from olive cake117 Domiaty ducks, crude fibre 4.77% and 6.23% (Journal of Animal and Poultry Production)
• Lower embryonic mortality and better hatchability at 4.77% crude fibreSame duck study
• 15–34% fewer broken eggshells in laying hens at 4–6% (indirect evidence)180 hens, 36 weeks (Dedousi et al. 2024)

Recommended inclusion

Solid bar: tested in a published trial. Hatched bar: practical programme.

In a Muscovy duckling trial, olive cake meal at 10% and above lowered growth, so recommended rates stay below 10%.

In practice

• Ask for the certificate of analysis for each lot and formulate with its values.
• Introduce gradually over 7–14 days.
• Store dry, covered and cool; use the oldest stock first.
• Compare with a group on your usual diet to document your own results.

References

1. Effect of feeding different levels of dietary fibre on productive and economical performance in local ducks. Journal of Animal and Poultry Production. journals.ekb.eg/article_46052.html
2. Dedousi A. et al. (2024). The influence of dietary supplementation with dried olive pulp on gut microbiota, production performance, egg quality traits, and health of laying hens. Microorganisms 12(9):1916. doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12091916
3. Hassan M. M. (2020). Effect of some nutritional treatments of olive cake meal on ducks performance under South Sinai conditions. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal 40(1):115–123. doi.org/10.21608/epsj.2020.78752