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Abstract
1. The growth and food utilisation of Pekin, Alabio and crosses between Muscovy or Pekin drakes and Alabio or Tegal ducks were recorded up to 20 weeks of age on a high plane of nutrition. Ducks were killed at 6, 10 and 16 weeks of age for carcass analysis.
2. The weight of Alabio ducks at 12 weeks of age was increased by 40 and 48% by crossing with Muscovy and Pekin respectively. Pekin crosses grew faster to 8 or 12 weeks of age than Muscovy crosses but after 17 weeks of age there was no significant difference in weight. Food utilisation for Muscovy crosses was generally better at all ages.
3. Both at a given age and per unit of carcass weight, Muscovy crosses contained less fat and as a consequence more protein and ash, and a higher proportion of breast meat than Pekin crosses. Proportion of fat in Muscovy × Tegal ducks increased only slightly with carcass weight, while it decreased in Muscovy × Alabio ducks.
Notes
Present address: CSIRO, Division of Tropical Animal Science, Tropical Cattle Research Centre, PO Box 5545, Rockhampton Mail Centre, Queensland 4701, Australia.