Poultry production in Vietnam is based on agricultural
production, and accounts for 19% of the total livestock production,
being second only to pig production (Vang et al., 2000).
Most chickens are kept by small farmer households, who typically
raise 10 - 12 birds by scavenging, supplemented by agricultural
by-products. The meat and eggs are either for home consumption,
thus improving the daily diet directly, or for sale. However, the
efficiency of chicken production is low mainly because of the
limited protein content in poultry diets at the level of
small-scale farmers (Dong et al., 1994).
The use of duckweed as poultry feed has been recognized by many
authors (Haustein et al., 1987, 1990; Islam et al.,
1997; Rodriguez et al., 1997, Leng, 1999; Samnang, 1999).
Duckweed has a high crude protein content and a well-balanced amino
acid profile and is also a good source of vitamins and minerals for
livestock (Landolt et al., 1987; Men et al., 2001).
Even though the moisture content of duckweed can be the first
limiting factor for chickens, duckweed can play important role in
poultry feeding.
Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the
effects of level of dietary protein and duckweed on daily feed
intakes and growth rate of chicks and to determine the optimum
level of soybean meal in diets for growing local chickens and
laying hens when duckweed is available ad-libitum.