Performance of indigenous, Khaki Campbell and their reciprocal crossbred layer ducks under different management systems

Abstract

1. The performance of indigenous ducks (ID), Khaki Campbell (KC) and their reciprocal crossbred layers was studied from 19 to 58 weeks of age. For each genotype, 4 × 18 ducks (3 males + 15 females) were reared under a semi-intensive system (SIS) and an intensive system (IS) with standard management, and 4 × 50 ducks (8 males + 42 females) were reared in an extensive system (ES) with traditional management.

2. In comparison to KC, ID were superior in terms of age at first egg, age at 50% egg production, egg weight, hatchability, eggshell thickness with higher egg shape index. KC ducks were superior to ID in body weight, egg production and feed/kg eggs. Egg quality was similar among the genotypes. Crosses were superior to their parent breeds in age at first egg, egg production and feed/kg eggs. They were also superior to KC in egg weight and egg-shell thickness with a higher egg shape index.

3. The performance of genotypes in the SIS and the IS was similar and superior to the ES except for fertility and yolk colour.

4. Significant heterotic effects were recorded for age at first egg, age at 50% egg production, egg production per duck-day, feed efficiency and egg weight in crosses. Performance was similar in the reciprocal crosses, but superior to their parent breeds.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development, Mumbai, India, for financial support for this study.