Abstract:
This thesis embodies the results of an evaluation of the productive performance of Desi ducks reared in confinement. One hundred ducks of 135 days old were reared in two groups of 50 each under intensive and semi intensive system of management.
The results revealed that the ducks reared under intensive system returned better hen-day egg production and also consumed less feed than those under semi intensive system. The efficiency of feed conversion did not differ, between treatments.
The pattern of the body weight maintenance was similar in both the systems and the survival rates were excellent in both systems.
The two systems of rearing did not appear to exert any influence on the egg size or egg quality in terms of albumen, yolk and shell percentages.
Fertility and hatchability of eggs were better in the semi intensive system.
It was concluded from the above results that the intensive system of rearing Desi ducks may be adopted for table egg production while for breeding purposes, semi intensive system may be better choice.
