COMPARISON OF MEAT PERFORMANCE OF PEKIN DUCKS FROM TWO CONSERVATIVE FLOCKS

Abstract

Pekin ducks from P44 and P55 conservative flocks were compared for body weight and dimensions, feed intake, dressing percentage and carcass composition. P44 ducks, compared to P55 birds, had greater body weight (3124 vs. 3051 g), longer trunk with neck (47.8 vs. 47.5 cm), trunk (25.8 vs. 25.3 cm), keel (13.3 vs. 12.8 cm) and shanks (6.3 vs. 6.2 cm) as well as significantly greater chest circumference (34.6 vs. 33.7 cm). P55 ducks were characterized by lower feed intake per bird (7.48 kg) and per kg body weight (2.45 kg) and greater European Production Index (259 points) compared to P44 ducks (7.73 kg, 2.53 kg, 251 points). The carcasses of P44 ducks contained more breast muscles (12.6%) and skin with subcutaneous fat (31.4%) but less leg muscles (13.2%) compared to P55 birds (12.3, 29.7 and 13.9% of carcass with neck, respectively).