Reproductive and Meat Performance of Pekin Ducks (P-11 and P-22) Under a Conservation Programme

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Poultry Genetics
• Reproductive Biology

Background:

• Evaluating reproductive and meat traits is crucial for optimizing duck breeding programs.
• Understanding genetic differences between duck strains (P-11 and P-22) can inform selective breeding strategies.
• Assessing trait heritability provides insights into the potential for genetic improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare reproductive and meat traits of P-11 and P-22 duck strains over three generations.
• To analyze differences between the two duck populations regarding these traits.
• To estimate heritability coefficients for selected traits in both strains.

Main Methods:

• Individually tagged ducks of known origin and lineage from strains P-11 and P-22 were used.
• Reproductive traits were evaluated across three generations (2020-2022).
• Meat traits (body weight, keel length, breast muscle thickness) were assessed during the rearing period.

Main Results:

• Strain P-11 demonstrated higher laying rates, egg fertilization, and hatching success compared to P-22.
• Strain P-22 exhibited significantly better meat traits, including higher body weight, keel length, and breast muscle thickness, particularly in males.
• Heritability estimates for meat traits varied from low to high in both strains, with minor generational changes.

Conclusions:

• Significant differences exist between P-11 and P-22 duck strains in both reproductive and meat production traits.
• Strain P-11 is superior in reproductive efficiency, while P-22 excels in meat characteristics.
• Findings support the potential for strain-specific breeding programs to enhance desired traits in ducks.