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Abstract
1. Four experiments were undertaken to estimate the calcium requirement of male muscovy ducklings between 3 and 8 weeks of age (2 experiments) and between 8 and 12 weeks of age (2 experiments).
2. Maximum growth rate and optimal food conversion were reached with diets containing 4.6 and 4.2 g calcium per kg between 3 to 8 weeks and 8 to 12 weeks respectively.
3. Femur, tibia, tarso‐metatarsus and humerus characteristics were measured. Bone sizes and ash contents were scarcely influenced by calcium supply. Effects, when significant, remained very weak. The best bone characteristics were obtained with 4.0 g available phosphorus and 8.4 g calcium per kg diet between 3 and 8 weeks of age, and 2–6 g available phosphorus and 4.3 g calcium per kg diet between 8 and 12 weeks of age.
