Impact of golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) control strategies on growth performance, feed efficiency, and gut microbiota in broiler ducks.

Project Abstract

This study evaluates the efficacy of integrated control strategies for the golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) on growth performance, feed efficiency, and gut microbiota in broiler ducks, aiming to mitigate snail-associated parasitic load and feed contamination while preserving intestinal health. A factorial experiment was conducted using 240 day-old female broiler ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) randomized into four treatment groups (i) conventional management with chemical molluscicides, (ii) ecological control employing habitat modification and natural predators, (iii) combined chemical and ecological strategies, and (iv) a control with standard husbandry and no snail interventions. Snail density, feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass yield were recorded weekly over a 42-day growth period. Fecal and intestinal samples were collected at 0, 21, and 42 days for 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize gut microbiota composition and alpha/beta diversity metrics, while qPCR assays quantified key zoonotic and environmental snail-borne pathogens. Economic analysis included cost of control measures, changes in feed efficiency, growth rate, and projected net income. Results indicated that combined chemical and ecological strategies substantially reduced snail prevalence by 72% relative to the control, with the most favorable growth performance observed in this group (average daily gain increase of 12% and FCR improvement of 9%) compared to the control. Ducks under ecological control alone also showed significant reductions in snail density, though with modest gains in growth metrics. Microbiome analysis revealed treatment-specific shifts in dominant taxa, with the combined strategy supporting greater microbial diversity and enrichment of beneficial short-chain fatty acid producers (e.g., Faecalibacterium and Ruminococcus) and a concurrent decrease in opportunistic pathogens. Beta diversity analyses demonstrated distinct microbial community separation among treatments, with the combined strategy clustering closest to the ecological control group, suggesting synergy between chemical molluscicides and habitat-based interventions in promoting a healthy gut ecosystem. Correlations between snail density, gut microbiota profiles, and performance metrics indicated that reductions in snail burden were associated with improved nutrient absorption and a more resilient gut microbiome, which in turn correlated with higher final body weight and carcass yield. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that snail reduction thresholds above 60% were necessary to achieve economically viable improvements in FCR and net income, highlighting the importance of integrated management. The study concludes that an integrated snail control framework combining targeted molluscicides with ecological habitat management offers the most consistent benefits to growth performance, feed efficiency, and gut microbial health in broiler ducks, presenting a scalable model for snail-prone production systems. Policy implications include recommended guidelines for snail surveillance, judicious molluscicide use to minimize resistance risk, and farm-specific optimization of habitat modifications to sustain productivity without compromising animal welfare.

Project Overview

What This Project Is About

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This project looks at how different methods for controlling the golden apple snail, a pest in duck farms, affect how well broiler ducks grow, how efficiently they convert feed into body weight, and the mix of bacteria in their gut. It keeps things simple: does reducing snails improve duck growth and health?

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The Problem It Addresses

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Aquaculture in some regions suffers when snails damage crops and compete with ducks for food. Snails can spread diseases or toxins that hurt ducks. There is limited information on which snail-control methods best support duck growth and gut health without unnecessary chemical use.

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Objectives of the Project

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1. Identify snail-control methods used in duck farming.
2. Measure growth performance of ducks under different snail-control strategies.
3. Assess feed efficiency across control methods.
4. Analyze changes in gut microbiota associated with each method.
5. Provide practical recommendations for farmers.

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What You Will Do Step by Step

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1. Review existing snail-control practices used in duck production.
2. Design an experiment with several snail-control treatments and a control group.
3. Raising broiler ducks under each treatment and recording growth data.
4. Collect and analyze feed intake and feed conversion ratios.
5. Take gut samples to study microbiota using simple DNA tests or sequencing reagents within scope.
6. Compare results to identify which methods balance snail control with duck performance.
7. Summarize findings and write recommendations for practice.

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Expected Outcome

Anticipated results include which snail-control strategies support the best growth and feed efficiency in ducks and how they influence gut bacteria, with practical guidelines for farmers to choose methods that are effective and safe.