Selection response and genetic parameter estimation of feeding behavior traits in Pekin ducks

Abstract

Body weight–related traits and feeding behavior traits are important in poultry breeding and production. To investigate the heritability of feeding behavior and their genetic correlation with body weight–related traits in Pekin ducks, 5,594 Pekin ducks were selected. The information about body weight–related traits and feeding behavior from 3 to 6 wk of age were recorded by automatic electronic feeders. The heritability estimates for body weight, residual feed intake, and feeding behavior traits are relatively high (ranging from 0.29 to 0.65). We observed that total feed intake, meal feed intake, body weight at the age of 3 wk, and daily body weight gain had strong positive genetic correlations with body weight at the age of 6 wk. Moreover, body weight at the age of 3 wk also showed a positive genetic correlation with the feed conversion ratio (0.33). Total feeding time, daily feed intake, and feeding rate had significant positive phenotypic correlations with feed efficiency. However, the average interval between meals, the number of daily visits, and the number of meals all had a low genetic or phenotypic relationship with body weight and feed efficiency. In conclusion, our study revealed that body weight, residual feed intake, and feeding behavior traits were all highly heritable traits, and the selection for certain feeding behaviors could improve feed efficiency in Pekin ducks. This study is the first report about genetic parameter estimates about feeding behaviors in ducks based on large datasets and provides solid data for genetic study in ducks.

Genome-wide association study reveals novel loci associated with feeding behavior in Pekin ducks

“…Moreover, NM had relatively strong negative genetic and phenotypic correlations (≤ − 0.63) with MFI and MD in this study. Similar intensely negative phenotypic and genetic relationships (ranging from − 0.49 to − 0.93) were obtained in our former work [ 11 ]. It suggested that certain feeding behavior habits may affect feed consumption in ducks.…”

“…It suggested that certain feeding behavior habits may affect feed consumption in ducks. Previous researches also reported that feeding behavior traits were closely associated with RFI levels while having little impact on body weight in ducks [ 10 , 11 ]. Combined with these findings, selecting certain feeding behavior traits could be an effective way to achieve indirect selection for RFI without affecting body weight improvement in Pekin ducks.…”

“…As shown in Table 2 , the heritability of feeding behavior traits ranges between 0.17 and 0.32. Previous work showed that the heritability of feeding behavior traits in ducks varied from 0.33 to 0.65, based on the pedigree information [ 11 ]. The findings in these two studies were consistent with one another and both of them revealed that MD had the highest heritability, arriving at 0.32 and 0.65, respectively.…”

“…Meanwhile, we also showed that feeding behavior traits were highly heritable in Pekin ducks. Certain feeding behaviors had the potential to improve other economic traits, with an improvement in feed efficiency [ 11 ]. However, few QTLs related to feeding behavior traits have been reported in ducks due to the non-availability of genotyping arrays.…”

Ducks’ Growth, Meat Quality, Bone Strength, and Jejunum Strength Depend on Zeolite in Feed and Long-Term Factors

“…The lack of significant differences may be associated with the fact that the flock of birds was homogeneous regardless of sex. It is related to significant advances in breeding, where restrictive selection affects many traits of ducks [ 40 ]. Zeolite may influence gut morphology (the size and shape of the intestinal villi), the intestinal microbiota, and the digestibility of proteins and increase the levels of the apparent metabolizable energy (AME; AME N ) [ 3 ].…”