PERFORMANCE STUDY OF CROSSBRED DUCK (BEIJING X DESI WHITE DUCK) IN COMPARISON WITH THEIR PARENTS

Abstract

The experiment was undertaken to compare the performance of crossbred duck (Beijing x desi white) F, with that of their parents (native Desi white (DW) and Beijing duck). Live weight of Beijing showed highly significant difference at 8 weeks of age compared to white duck but no statistical difference observed at 10 and 12 weeks of age. Dressing yield and breast muscle percent differed significantly at 8 and 12 weeks of age among the genotypes except at 10 week. Abdominal fat percent of F, (0.73) was significantly lower than Beijing (0.88) ducks. The maturity age was 161±9.75, 182± I0.01 and I 54±9.58 days for DW, Beijing and F, ducks, respectively. The average body weight (g) at maturity of Desi white, Beijing and white (F,) ducks were observed to be 1479±25.34, 2530.65±150.30 and 2250.24±35.18g, respectively. The average values for egg weight (g) of DW and F, duck at 40 weeks of age were 55.14 ± 4.50,64.15 ± 3.80, 60.35 ± 6.24, respectively and at 60 weeks of age were 56.27 ± 5.30, 68.00 ± 5.70, 60.34 ± 6.24, respectively. Crossbred ducks produced higher egg than desi and beijing ducks. The average shape index values obtained in DW. beijing and crossbred duck (Beijing x Desi white) were 76.37±. 86 76.20 ± I. 10 and 75.33± 1.17, respectively. The average Breaking Strength values obtained in DW, beijing and crossbred duck were 4.23±. 28, 3.22 ± 0.25 and 2.26 ± ..32, respectively. The average eggshell thickness (mm) values obtained in DW, beijing and crossbred duck were 0.43± I. 7,0.44 ± 4.15 and 0.44±5.17, respectively. The eggshell value was higher in crossbred duck than desi and beijing duck. Haugh unit was 77.49±4.5, 90.21 ± 7.60 and 80.86±6.7 for Desi duck and crossbred duck, respectively. Desi duck is more resistant than other ducks. Mortality rate was found higher in crossbred duck.