Performance of Middle Laying Period of Large-Type Korean Native Ducks

Abstract

This work was carried out to investigate the performance of large-type Korean native ducks at middle laying phase (30 to 50 weeks). A total of one hundred and sixty eight laying ducks were divided into A and B strains (6 replications/strain, 14 birds/replication and fed practical diet, for 20 weeks). There was no significant difference in body weight, daily feed intake and average egg weight. With increasing rearing period, mean body weight tended to be decreased and showed the lowest value (2,649 g) at 42 weeks of age (P<0.05). Similar trend was observed for weekly feed intake and average egg weight which decreased with passing weeks and was lowest (190.5 g and 83.8 g, respectively) at the age of 42~46 weeks (P<0.05). Daily egg production of B strain was higher than that of A strain at the age of 46~50 weeks (P<0.05). Weekly egg production of A and B strains commenced to decrease from the age of 42 weeks, however, B strain recovered at 46~50 weeks of age (P<0.05). At the age of 30∼38 weeks, the egg production in B strain was higher than A strain (P<0.05), whereas, there was no significant difference between both the strains during 38~50 week. Feed conversion ratio of A strain was higher than that of B strain at 46∼50 weeks of age (P<0.05). Weekly feed conversion was highest at the age of 42~46 weeks (P<0.05). In conclusion, the present results provides the basic information of the performance record of large-type Korean native ducks for the middle laying phase.(Key words : Korean Native Ducks, large-type, middle laying period, body weight, feed intake, laying performance, feed consumption ratio)