Meat Production Potential Of Different Cross-Bred Ducklings

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the meat production potential of Pekin (P) x Pekin (P), P x Desi (D) and P x Jinding (J) ducklings up to 8 weeks of age. 54 day old ducklings were randomly allocated to 3 genotypic treatments having 3 replications in each genotype. One duckling from each replication was dissected to determine the meat yield. The initial and final live weight was found highest (P<0.01) in P X P, followed by those of P X D and P X J ducklings respectively. Feed conversion was poor in P X J, better in P X P and best in P X D (P<0.01). However, feed conversion for all genotypes decreased with the advance of age. At all ages except 1st week, better feed utilization was observed in P X D crossbred than that in P X P and P X J. Higher breast meat was observed in P X P (P<0.05) than in P X D and P X J. Thigh meat was found higher (P<0.05) in P X P and P X D than that in P X J. Considering the growth performance (growth rate and feed utilization) and meat yield characteristics, it may be concluded that crossing of Pekin with local ducks might produce a suitable genotype to improve meat production potential of duck to reared under Bangladesh condition. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v37i2.9885 BJAS 2008; 37(2): 82-88