Gender and age effect on some economical and physiological traits of Iraqi local duck (Anaspaterhycous)

H.Al-asadi, Majid; Ch. K.  Al-salhie, Khalid

	Gender and age effect on some economical and physiological traits of Iraqi local duck (Anaspaterhycous)
Kufa Journal for Agricultural Science
Article 1, Volume 7, Issue 4, 2015, Pages 163-173
Authors
Majid H.Al-asadi; Khalid Ch. K. Al-salhie
Abstract
The present study was conducted in agriculture experimental station / animal farm/ college of agriculture/university of Basrah. The aim was to study the effect of duck gender and age on some economical and physiological traits. A total of 60 duck chicks with one day old were used, they were divided into two groups (30 males and 30 females). They were fed balanced diet by Barash Company. The diet consist of 21% protein and 2800 kcal. Kg-1 metabolizable energy. Chicks were weighted from the age of 2 weeks each two weeks till the age of 12 weeks. Blood samples were taken at the end of experiment. Males exceeded females in their body weights and growth rates at all ages throughout the study. Male feed consumption at the age at 56,70 and 84 days were higher than those of females .There is a significant decrease in feed conversion ratio of males of the age of 28,56 and 84 days. Body weight at 84 days was significantly higher than other weights at other ages. Highest growth rate and feed consumption were at the age of 42 days while the less feed conversion ratio at the age of 84 days. Results indicated that Cholesterol level of male serum increased significantly at the ages of 28,42,56,70 and 84 days. Sodium and Potassium levels increased significantly in males at different ages. The highest value was at the age 70 and 84 days for sodium and 84 days for potassium. Males small intestine, cecum and peak length were higher than that of females. The highest values were at the age of 84 days. There were significant correlation among all traits.
Keywords
local ducks; Age; Gender

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