Effect of photoperiod and crude protein levels on productive traits and economic efficiency of Muscovy ducks, during winter season

Abstract EN

The present study was conducted to study the effect of using three levels of crude protein, %: Low (٢١, ١٧ and ١٦ for starter, grower and finisher periods, medium (٢٢, ١٨ and ١٧ for starter, grower and finisher periods and high (٢٣,١٩ and ١٨ for starter, grower and finisher periods, respectively under two light programs, L١ natural day light and L٢ ٢٢ hours / day and their interaction on Muscovy ducks performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters and economical efficiency at the winter season.

A total number of one hundred and eighty unsexed Muscovy ducklings from one – day to ١٢ weeks of age were used in this experiment.

Ducks were individually weighed and randomly distributed equally into six groups with three replicates ١٠ ducks in each.

The obtained results showed that ducks fed diet high protein level (P٣) were higher significantly live body weight (LBW) and body weight gain (BWG) than those fed medium or low protein levels (P١ or P٢) at the end of the experiment.

However, LBW and BWG significantly (P < ٠.٠٥) increased by L١ with P٣ at١٢ wks and ٠-١٢ weeks of age, respectively.

Groups reared under L١, P٣ or L١ with P٣ consumed less feed and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) than other treatment groups.

Significant effects of CP levels or natural day light on protein intake, protein utilization and performance index at the end of the experimental.

Also, there were significant differences between CP levels with lighting programs of protein intake and performance index at the end of the experiment while, protein utilization was not significant.

Using P٣ in diets of ducks with natural day light L١ improved economic efficiency and relative economic efficiency of ducks compared with other groups.

Conclusively, it could be concluded that dietary high CP (%) with natural day light might have positive effects on growth performance treats and economic efficiency (%) of growing Muscovy ducks during winter season.