European duck meat production is based on the use of Pekin, Muscovy and Mule duck genotypes that vary in their behavioural and physiological characteristics. Furthermore, large differences exist in their housing and management conditions. The aim of this review is to discuss the welfare of these different genotypes in typical husbandry systems, focusing on ducks kept for meat production. Firstly, factors that can affect duck welfare, such as stocking density and group size, access to straw, an outdoor run, or open water, are described. Secondly, welfare problems such as feather pecking, fear and stress, and health problems are assessed. Thirdly, the various systems used in Europe are described for these aspects. Giving ducks access to straw, an outdoor run, or open water increases the behavioural opportunities of the ducks (foraging, preening, bathing, and swimming), but can also lead to poor hygiene and increased health-and food safety risks. Therefore, practical solutions that allow expression of natural behaviour, but do not lead to hygiene or health problems have to be found and some practical suggestions are provided.

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Abstract. The local goose breeds Kara, Beyaz, Şam, Ala and Tülü of the Isparta province in Turkey are relatively small with body weight at the age of 12 weeks for males-females of 2864.1–2593.1, 2588.5–2296.8, 3004.3–2504.3, 2601.9–2264.0 and 2754.7–2352.0 g. The average percentages of slaughter yield of Kara, Beyaz and Şam geese at the age of 104 weeks for males-females were 71.4–69.8, 71.6–69.9 and 71.0–69.3%. The percentages of breast and leg to the carcass were 46.6–48.4, 48.7–50.2 and 47.1–48.3%, respectively. Average percentages of crude protein content for breast and leg muscle were 19.7–20.1, 22.0–20.3, 18.2–18.0% and 15.8–18.0, 21.7–16.2, 17.7-19.8%, respectively. The content of crude fat for breast and leg muscle were 0.23–0.49, 0.39–0.40, 0.44–0.40% and 0.92–1.41, 0.39–1.31, 0.46–0.33%, respectively. Because of the lower fat percentage, the local goose breeds could be important for a commercial crossbred program.

Abstract. The purpose of the research was to study growth, carcass traits and meat quality of Kara, Yesilbas and Boz ducks (as the local names), in comparison with Turkish Pekin ducks in Isparta province, Turkey. Average body weights of Kara, Yesilbas, Boz and Turkish Pekin ducks were 42.3, 44.5, 48.0 and 46.2g for day-old ducklings; 1036.5, 1154.5, 1115.3 and 1168.7g for 4 weeks old ducklings; 1660.7, 1824.7, 1894.0 and 1744.2g for 8-week old ducks; 1816.0, 1999.0, 2044.0 and 1885.5g for 12-week old ducks, respectively. Average percentages of slaughter yield were 71.5, 72.5, 73.7 and 71.3%. The percentages of breast and leg meat to the carcass were 34.34, 34.1, 33.8, 36.7%, respectively. Average percentages of crude protein content for breast and leg meat were 20.2, 20.0, 20.3, 20.7% and 20.1, 19.4, 18.8, 19.4%, respectively. The content of crude fat for breast and leg meat were 10.3, 5.8, 8.3, 14.9% and 10.6, 6.4, 8.9, 15.1% respectively. Because of the lower fat percentage, the local duck breeds could be important for a commercial crossbred program.

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