Studies on Duck Nutrition. II. Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements of Mule Ducklings

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine calcium and phosphorus requirements of mule ducklings. Two-day-old, straight-run mule ducklings were fed diets containing graded levels of calcium or phosphorus for three weeks. Weight gain, feed consumption, tibia ash content, and levels of serum calcium and phosphorus were used as criteria for the determination of the optimum dietary calcium and phosphorus levels required by the ducklings. The minimum calcium requirements were .48% and .58%, respectively, for maximum growth and optimum tibia ash content as determined by regression analysis of body weight gain and tibia ash content against calcium level in the diet. The minimum available phosphorus requirements were .26% and .34%, respectively, for maximum body weight gain and optimum tibia ash content as determined by the same method.

Nutritional requirements of meat-type and egg-type ducks: what do we know?

“…For example, Ca deficiency in laying ducks reduces the egg production rate, egg weight, eggshell thickness, eggshell breaking strength, and Ca deposition in the eggshell as a result of decreased Ca levels in the plasma and shell gland, as well as downregulating the expression of genes related to Ca transportation and eggshell biomineralization [ 33 , 34 ]. In White Pekin and Mule ducks, Ca deficiency can lead to rickets, low growth rate, low feed utilization, and a high mortality rate [ 35 , 36 ]. Xia et al [ 37 ] estimated the Ca requirements of Longyan laying ducks, from 20 to 33 wk of age, and recommended formulating diets containing 3.6% Ca with 0.40% available P to maximize egg production, egg mass, feed utilization, and enhance the bone characteristics.…”