GENETICAL STUDIES ON DUCKS

Abstract

Water birds generally differ from other poultry in some characters. Their grow fast specially in the early stage oflife, as an example the Pekin duckling weighs 2 kg between 7 and 8 weeks of age beside the relative high efficiency in food conversion. Moreover, they don't need high proportion of protein in their food compared to the turkeys and hens. As model rate in their food is 17% to 18% .

This is why the cost of their growing ration is relatively cheep. Furthermore,· their naturally immunity against most dangerous diseases that affect chickens all over Egypt namely Salmonella Pallorum and Newcastle, which cause t11e death of mellions of chicks annually is a big advantage. The cost of their nursery and pringing up is relatively low because of their ability to bear the bad environmental conditions as their heating last is the limit of one week in summer and two weeks in winter, after iliat their youngs bear tl1e natural weatller heat, contrary'to most oilier poultry. All of iliese advantages and others made the water poultry popular in Egypt.

On the other hand, their feathers could be an economic value is found tilat feathers of Pekin duck ca:n be gathered 2 to 3 times annually. In most European countries and America the ducks feathers is sold at high prices according to its validity and softness for use in filling pillows and mattresses. In the recent years, the world statistics show that the consumer is directed to the duck' meat than before. In addition, growing ducks succeeds in the natural and artificial water canals altogether and gives excellent.