Production performance and egg quality in Kuzi ducks of Odisha

Abstract

Production performances and egg quality parameters of Kuzi ducks of Odisha were studied in 40 drakes and 240 duck sinintensive system of rearing under hot and humid climate conditions. The body weight recorded at first egg of the flock was 1568±3.76g in ducks and 1730±43.45g in drakes. First egg of the flock was obtained at 110.67±3.76 days and age at 50% duck house egg production was 135.33±5.60 days. Age of the flock at peak (90%) duck house egg production was 167.67±6.06 days. Duck day egg production calculated at 4 weeks interval revealed that there is no definite trend however, as the age advances there was a decrease in egg production % after 60 weeks of age. The egg weight increased with the ages and the egg weight at 40 weeks of age was 64.26±0.48g. The egg production of the duck up to 40 weeks of age was 110.79±4.42 eggs and up to 72 weeks of age were 217.68±4.96 eggs. Significant differences inegg weight, shape index, albumen index, yolk colour, shell thickness and Haugh unit score were observed at different weeks of age. Further, as the age of the bird advances there was decrease in Haugh unit and albumen index with increase in egg shell thickness. The internal quality decreased with increase in age of the bird. The production performance showed that the Kuzi ducks may be used as an egg type ducks.