EFFECTS OF SEX, AGE AND SEASON ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF KHAKI CAMPBELL DUCKS IN A SEMI-ARID AREA OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Livestock, Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Animal Science, University of Maiduguri, Borno State. The aim was to determine the effects of strain, age and season on body weight and linear body measurements of two ducks. A total of 200 sexually matured ducks comprising of 100 Muscovy and Khaki Campbell ducks were used for the study. The study was conducted in over three different seasons dry cold (October – January), dry hot (February – May) and wet (June – September) season. Data obtained were body weight (BW), body length (BDL), breast circumference (BTC), drumstick circumference (DSC), neck length (NKL) and total leg length (TLL) using weighing balance and simple measuring tape calibrated in centimeters. All the data were analysed using general linear model (GLM) procedure of (SAS) computer package while their means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The overall means of BW, BDL, BTC, THC, NKL and TLL were 1.78 kg, 40.67, 28.28, 8.48, 16.91 and 11.90 cm, respectively. Strain and age had significant (P<0.05) effect on BW and all body measurements. However, season significantly affect most traits measurements except BDL and NKL. Muscovy ducks (2.31 kg) were significantly heavier than the Khaki Campbell ducks (1.75 kg). Similarly, Muscovy ducks had higher values for all body measurements compared to the Khaki Campbell ducks. Older ducks also had highest values for all measurements compared to the young ones with respect to season, higher values were recorded for body weights and measurements in the dry hot and cold seasons compared to the wet season. The study concluded that sex, age and season significantly affected body weights and linear measurements of ducks. These factors must be considered when selecting for improvement in body weight or linear measurements in ducks.