Estimation of genetic parameters and response to selection for eighth week body weight in Kuttanad ducks (<i>Anas platyrhynchos domesticus</i>)

Sahoo

2022

Preprint

The study was conducted to evaluate genetic parameters of growth traits of Kuzi ducks of Odisha, India and its performance in respect to growth and production traits under intensive system of rearing. A total of 973 sire pedigreed ducklings produced in seven hatches (parents being selected for higher 8 weeks body weight) are being used for the study. For genetic characterization data of 875 ducklings that were having wing bands till 10 weeks of age were used. Sexual dimorphism was evident in this ducks at 5 weeks of age. The ducklings recorded more than 1 kg body weight at 6 weeks of age. The primary traits of selection 8 week body weight were 1474 and 1383 g, in male and female respectively. The heritability for the body weight were moderate to high in magnitude and the heritability estimates at 6 and 7 weeks of age were 0.44 ± 0.14 and 0.45 ± 0.14, respectively and the estimates for 8 week was 0.22 ± 0.09. Genetic correlations between body weights were high in magnitude after initial 3 weeks of age. Growing period body weight revealed not much increase after 16 weeks of age. Multicolour plumage was dominant in the flock where as brown and pink were found more in respect to bill and shank colour. The ducks reached 50% hen housed egg production at 133 days of age. The egg production of the ducks up to 72 weeks of age was 251 eggs. The egg weight increases as the age advances and recorded more than 70 g from 36 weeks onwards. Egg quality parameters were of acceptable range. Mortality was higher during 40 to 72 weeks of age. The results revealed that the Kuzi ducks can be subject for higher growth rate through selection; however, the egg production was quite encouraging indicating a suitable breeding strategy for this indigenous duck for its further improvement and commercial use. Further, this study indicates that the indigenous ducks available in the countries may be screened for production parameters and top producer may be use for selection for improvement rather than going for exotic germplasm.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic characterization for growth traits and performance of Kuzi ducks being selected for higher eight week body weight

Sahoo

2022

Preprint

Genetic and phenotypic characterization of Kuzi ducks of Odisha and evaluation of carcass quality

SASTRY

et al. 2022

Indian J of Anim Sci

In the present investigation, the Kuzi ducks of Odisha were studied with respect to different phenotypic traits and genetic parameters measured for Juvenile traits from 1,718 ducklings hatched in three hatches using 40 sires and 160 dams reared under standard management conditions. Fertility, hatchability, juvenile traits, body weight gains and plumage characteristics were recorded. Carcass characteristics of the drakes were also measured at 20 weeks of age. The average fertility was 75.42% and hatchability on total egg set and fertile egg set basis were 61.79 and 82.10%, respectively. The body weight between male and female showed sexual dimorphisms with respect to body weight and conformation traits from 4th week onwards in Kuzi ducks. The least square body weight recorded at 8 weeks of age in male, female and pooled over sexes were 1,388, 1,231 and 1,282 g, respectively. Heritability estimates for different juvenile traits were moderate to high in magnitude for the traits studied. Body weight recorded at 20 weeks of age was 1,818 g in male and 1,628 g in female. Total edible carcass yield was 76.48% at 20 weeks of age in male. Multi-colour is found to be dominant plumage colour. The study revealed that Kuzi ducks of Odisha have very good potential for duck farming in the country and the body weight of the duck may be improved by selection of the birds and the drake (male) may be used for meat purpose. The growth of the ducklings was very fast from 2 to 8 weeks of age.

Comparative performance of Kuzi Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and its crosses with Khaki Campbell with respect to growth, phenotypic parameters and carcass quality

Sahoo

2023

Indian J of Anim Sci

To develop a suitable duck variety for egg type, one pilot study was undertaken to know the cross performance of Kuzi ducks with exotic duck breeds available in India. In the present study, comparative performance of Kuzi ducks and its two crosses with Khaki Campbell viz Kuzi × Khaki Campbell (DK) and Khaki Campbell × Kuzi (KD) were carried out with respect to juvenile growth, conformation, body colour and carcass quality. It was observed that significant differences exist between different genetic groups for body weights and Kuzi Ducks recorded higher body weights than its two crosses. The weight gain was more during two to seven weeks of age in all the three genetic groups irrespective of sex. Gain in body weight showed maximum gain during four to six weeks of age. This may be exploited in the future breeding programme. Multicolour plumage was dominant in all the three genetic groups. Shank colours were brown in most of the birds in DK and KD whereas pink in Kuzi. The study revealed that male ducks may be slaughtered at 12 weeks of age for meat purpose as thereafter they were not gain any significant body weight. It was found that the crosses of Kuzi and Khaki Campbell recorded lower body weight than Kuzi.