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- Title
Effects of Early Feed Restriction on Some Welfare Indices and Economic Efficiency of White Pekin and Mule Ducks.
- Authors
El Kholya, Sherif Z.; El-Tahawy, Abdelgawad S.
- Abstract
Two hundred ducklings represent two different genotypes, White Pekin and Mule ducks (a sterile hybrid from the interspecific cross of a Pekin duck and Muscovy drake) were used in this study to determine the influence of ducks' breed (White Pekin vs. Mule) and feeding regime (early feed restriction regime by Skip-a-day program vs. free feeding) on behaviors, productive performance, immune response, corticosterone, fear response and economic parameters of Mule and Pekin ducks. The obtained results showed that rearing Mule ducks under skip-a-day program for 7 days lead to increased wall exploration and increased aggressive behavior. Moreover, higher body weight from 3rd to 7th weeks of age and weight gain from 4th to 6th weeks of age compared to White Pekin ducks. Feed restriction improved walking, wing and leg stretch, wall and floor explorations in addition, it motivated catch-up growth and improved immunity also, increased aggressive behavior of ducks. The economic analysis showed that total costs of the ducks fed ad-libitum were greater than those fed on restriction regime. However, total veterinary management costs were not statistically significant among Mule and Pekin breed fed either ad-libitum or restricted. With reference to the profitability measures, the obtained results showed that Pekin ducks achieved higher net return than Mule ducks. Furthermore, benefit-cost analysis revealed that restricted regime was lower than ad-libitum groups as well as the ratio of net return to the feed cost was significantly greater for ad-libitum ducks than those received restricted feeding regime.
- Subjects
DUCKLINGS; DUCK food; DUCK behavior; ECONOMIC efficiency; COST analysis
- Publication
Alexandria Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 2017, Vol 52, Issue 1, p68
- ISSN
1110-2047
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5455/ajvs.255833