The effects of Houttuynia cordata powder on the growth performance of ducks were investigated. Ninety ducks were assigned into one of three dietary treatments as a completely randomized design for 6 weeks: feeds supplemented with 1% or 2% H. cordata and a control group. No significant difference was observed in feed conversion among the three groups (p > 0.05), but addition of H. cordata had a significantly positive effect (p < 0.05) on initial and final body weight, weight gain, and feed intake of the ducks. Furthermore, the effects of chemical treatment (comprising 50 g and 100 g aluminum chloride [AlCl3] per kilogram litter) on the ammonia (NH3) flux in duck litters were also investigated. Duck litter was treated with AlCl3 at a depth of 8 cm by top-dressing; this resulted in a significant difference on NH3 flux (p < 0.05) during the experimental period (but not at 2 weeks). NH3 flux at 6 weeks were reduced by 25.4% and 37.5% by treatment with 1% and 2% H. cordata, respectively, compared with the control groups. In conclusion, enriching the diets of the ducks with 2% H. cordata and adding 100 g AlCl3 to their litter has beneficial effects on increasing their growth performance and reducing NH3 flux in their environment.

Abstract
 1. Introduction
 2. Material and methods
  2.1. Leaf preparation
  2.2. Experimental design and birds
  2.3. Chemical treatment and ammonia measurement
  2.4. Statistical Analysis
 3. Results and discussion
  3.1. Growth performance
  3.2. Ammonia fluxes
 4. Conclusion
 REFERENCES

• Tae-Ho Chung(Department of Companion Animal & Animal Resources Science, Joongbu University)
• In-Hag Choi(Department of Companion Animal & Animal Resources Science, Joongbu University) Corresponding author