IMPROVING THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF NATIVE DUCK BREED BY CROSSING WITH STANDARD COMMERCIAL DUCK BREED

Abstract

This experiment was carried out at private farm in Fayoum Governorate. The goal of this experiment was to improve the productive performance in Sudani duck by crossing with Peking and Muscovy duck strains. A total number 400 (150 Sudani, 125 Muscovy and 125 Peking) one day old un- sexed duck strains were used. They were reared under similar environmental, managerial and hygienic conditions from one day old to the end of the experiment. The feed and water were supplied ad libtium. The high and low ambient temperatures and relative humidity recorded during the experimental. At 32 wk of age, the Muscovy (M) and Peking males (P) allow to natural mating with Sudani (S) females. The birds were individually weighed weekly. Also, feed consumption and conversion ratio were determined on a weekly basis. At 8 weeks of age, 48 ducks randomly chosen 16 duck from each strain (8 males + 8 females) were randomly chosen for determining cell-mediated immunity (PHA-P). After completion of PHA-P assay, the birds were slaughtered and lymphoid organs (bursa and spleen) were dissected. At the same age, a 3.0 ml blood samples were withdrawn from the Jugular vein. A portion of the blood was used for blood constituent determination. The carcass evaluation was determined at marketing age. The main results could be summarized as follows:

1. Parent stock 1.1. Strain effect • The Peking duck had significantly higher body weight at 8 weeks of age, body weight gain and growth rate from 0-8 weeks of age compared to Sudani or Muscovy one. • There was no significant difference among strains for feed conversion ratio from 0-8 weeks of age. • The Peking duck had significantly higher hematocrit level, RBCs and haemoglobuline compared to Muscovy or Sudani duck.