Carcass parameters of the cross between Pekin duck drakes with Sudani (Egyptian Muscovy) duck females

Abstract

Sudani (Cairina moschata) duck one of the popular birds in Egypt, because, Sudani ducks have higher carcass quality and immune response. On the other hand, Pekin (Anas platyrhynchos) ducks grow rapidly and the high percentage of fat in the carcass, which reduces the appetite to buy in Egypt compared to Sudani duck. The objectives of the study aimed to improve the carcass quality for Pekin duck by crossing with Sudani ducks. This experiment was carried out at private farm in Egypt (Fayoum governorate). At 32 wks of age, the 8 Pekin males (P) allowed to natural mating with 32 Sudani (S) female (each male was mated with 4 females). When the ducklings attained marketing age at 8, 14 and 9 wks for Pekin, Sudani ducks and their cross (PS) respectively, 16 birds from each strain, in addition to their cross were randomly taken and slaughtered for carcass evaluation. The non-edible meat parts (blood -feathers – head- leg), edible meat parts (dressed carcass – gizzard-liver - heart), abdominal fat, gizzard fat, skin, wings, neck ,thigh, drumstick and breast muscles (minor and major) were determined. The results revealed that the Pekin duck had significantly (P≥0.0001) higher relative giblets compared to Sudani or PS cross. The PS cross had significantly (P<0.05) higher relative edible meat parts weight compared to their parents. The Sudani and PS cross had significantly (P≤0.0001) higher relative breast muscles compared to Pekin one. The Pekin duck had significantly (P≤0.0001) higher relative skin compared to Sudani or PS cross. No significant differences among PS cross and their parents for relative gizzard fat and abdominal fat weight. The PS cross recorded negative heterosis for gizzard, liver, giblets, thigh, drumstick, gizzard fat, abdominal fat, skin and neck. The PS cross recorded positive heterosis for live body weight, dressed carcass, heart, edible meat parts. major, minor, breast muscles and wings. Finally, The PS cross had higher breast muscle content and much lower fatness compared to Pekin ducks.