GROWTH MODELS ANALYSIS OF MALE AND FEMALE MUSCOVY DUCKS IN A SEMIARID ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The study was carried out in Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State to estimates the genetic parameters of growth traits of Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata). A total of three hundred (300) ducklings which were used for the experiment for the period of eight months from May to December, 2021. The data on the ducklings were taken on body weight (BW) from day old to 20 weeks based on sex. All the data were fitted to four growth models (Gompertz, Logistic, Richard and Weibull) and was analysed using statistix version 9.1. The estimates of growth model function revealed that the Gompertz model estimated the highest asymptotic weight and Logistics was least. Based on goodness of fit criteria (SME, SD, AICs and R2) the Gompertz was the best model in both Male and female ducks as it had lowest MSE and AICs while Logistic had the least fit because of its highest estimate of MSE and AICs in both sex. The four growth models adequately described the growth patterns of male and female Muscovy ducks. Gompertz model should be used for the description of growth in ducks.