Effect of Protein Content in Diet on Carcass of Muscovy Ducks (Cairina Moschata)

News source: Indonesian Animal Production
Research Institute, Indonesia
See PDF file for e-mail address., 2002-01-01

A study was conducted to find out the effect of the protein content in the diet on the carcass of Muscovy ducks. One hundred and sixty ducks (80 males and 80 females aged 0-3 weeks) were given a starter diet for layers.

Two Levels of Protein

Over the growing period (3-6 weeks) the diets had two levels of protein (12% and 15%). These two diets were given to each sex (male and female), with 5 replications of four ducks, each allocated randomly. The ducks were kept in cages with a litter floor, each cage measuring 1 x 1 meter. Isocaloric rations (2600 kcal/kg) was given for all treatments During the finishing period (6 _ 12 weeks) all the ducks were given the same rations (12% protein, 2600 kcal/kg). The experimental design for this study was Randomized Block Design, fola factorial (2 x 2).

No More Effect on Males Than Females

The results showed that male Muscovy ducks had significantly (P < 0.05) higher measurements than females in all parameters, except for carcass percentage. Muscovy ducks given grower rations with 15% protein were not significantly different from those which received 12% protein in all parameters measured, except breast weight (P < 0.01) and abdominal fat (P < 0.05). There was no interaction between protein ration and sex that affected all parameters measured, except that male Muscovy ducks given 15% protein showed increased breast weight but a decrease in abdominal fat.

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