<div>Background: The growth and popularity of white pekin duck farming is increasing among farmers due to assured return and marketing linkages in peri-urban areas. The growth performance and meat quality of pekin ducks under backyard farming was evaluated in the present study.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Body weight and feed consumption data of 140 white pekin ducks managed under rice bran-based feeding in backyard farming, were recorded weekly up to 8th week of age. Gompertz&rsquo;s growth model was used to calculate growth parameters. Meat quality parameters were recorded after slaughter on 56th day. 
 
Result: White pekin ducks attained 2.003 kg at 56 days of age with 3.2 FCR (Feed conversion ratio). The asymptote weight calculated from Gompertz&rsquo;s equation was 4513.25 g. Inflection points of bodyweight and time was determined as 1659.28 g and 49.9 days respectively. The maximum growth rate was 58.17 g/day. The high growth rate of pekin ducks in backyard condition indicates suitability of rice bran-based diet in this farming system.Dressing percentage (57.9%) of eviscerated carcass was however less than earlier reports. Lipid peroxidation activity of breast-meat was measured and found to be less than previous reports. Reduced lipid peroxidation in muscle might be due to liberal access to natural feeding system by pekin ducks that is unique in backyard farming.</div>

Growth Performance and Meat Quality of White Pekin Ducks Reared in Backyard Farming System

<div>Background: Aflatoxicosis in ducks is reckoned as a challenge for nutritionists worldwide, for its adverse impacts on growth. A study was conducted to ascertain the precise level of Aflatoxin-tolerance in White Pekin ducklings during juvenile ages. 
 
Methods: Day-old-ducklings (240) were randomly distributed into 3 experimental-groups viz., Control (&lt;0.5 ppb), T1 (200 ppb), T2 (400 ppb) and reared for measuring weekly growth, feed efficiency and blood biochemical changes, with treatments terminated at 6weeks age. 
 
Result: There was significant depression in live weights for both dietary-toxin groups from 2nd week onwards till completion. Mortality (0-6 weeks) was 85% in T2, while T1 was in between control and T2, both for mortality (45%) and morbidity. Feed-consumption and conversion for either toxin groups remained significantly (p&le;0.05) poor, with T2 resulting in erratic FCRs, ranging from 1.23 to 4.95, across weeks. A typical AFB1-induced lameness in ducklings beyond 3 weeks of AFB1-exposure, emerged as a hallmarked morbidity, in varied proportions, in T1 and T2, but not in control. The study confirms that acute-depression of juvenile growth and high-morbidity are distinct outcomes from AFB1&rsquo;s presence in Pekin diets @ 200 ppb level or higher, with such leg deformities emerging as&nbsp; hallmarked features of Pekins reared on AFB1-spiked diets. It can be concluded that, while the AFB1 content of juvenile White Pekin ducks should be kept limited to the recommended safe levels (&lt;10 ppb); exceeding a threshold of 200 ppb is sure to cause poor growth and FCR, with adverse blood biochemical changes, high mortality, morbidity and lameness.</div>

​Impact of Dietary Aflatoxin-B1 on Juvenile Growth in White Pekin Ducks

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of choline in diet (a TMA precursor) on egg quality, serum biochemistry and presence of off flavour in eggs of White Pekin Ducks. 30 White Pekin ducks (45 weeks age) housed in individual cages were subjected to three dietary treatment groups and were. The dietary treatment groups consisted of two levels of choline as TMA precursor viz; 3g/kg diet, 6g/kg diet and a control diet devoid of choline. The results revealed highly significant (P&lt;0.0001) effect of choline on yolk weight and HU than the control. However the other egg quality traits i.,e egg weight, albumen weight, shell weight, albumen index, yolk index, shape index, shell thickness were not influenced. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly (P&lt;0.0001) reduced in high choline group (6g/kg diet) followed by low choline group (3g/kg diet) and control. The liver enzymes (SGPT and SGOT) were significantly lower (P&lt;0.0001) in both the supplemented groups as compared to control. No significant effect was found for serum total protein and serum glucose levels. Presence of off flavour (fishy flavour) was more evident in the eggs of choline group (6g/kg diet) than the control group. It can be concluded that the presence of choline in the diet had minimal effect on the egg quality parameters of Pekin ducks except for yolk weight and albumen quality, however there was significant reduction in serum total cholesterol and triglycerides levels. &nbsp;

Effect dietary choline supplementation on egg quality and serum&nbsp;biochemical profile in White Pekin Ducks

<div>Background: White Pekin ducks can be reared under intensive rearing system for meat and egg production. Depending upon the availability, duck farmers use different types of cereals for feeding their ducks. Therefore, a study was conducted to find out the performance of White Pekin ducks during mid phase of layingfed on wheat and/or broken rice based diets under intensive rearing system.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: White Pekin laying ducks (45; 41 weeks old) were divided into three groups. Three types of diets without (BR-0) and with broken rice (BR), replacing 50 (BR-50) and 100 (BR-100) per cent of wheat were prepared and offered randomly to the above three groups till the ducks attained 52 weeks of age under standard feeding and management practices.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The total egg production (dozen) and duck day egg production (DDEP) % were higher in BR-50 group (4.51 and 64.44) than the BR-100 group (3.85 and 55.00); however, both were similar to BR-0 group (4.09 and 58.49). The total feed intake (12.55-13.80, kg) and feed conversion ratio (feed consumed in kg per dozen eggs produced) (2.93-3.31) were similar among the groups. The cost (Rs.) per egg was lower in BR-50 group (7.79) than the BR-0 group (8.32) and BR-100 group (8.71). The egg weight in BR-50 group (76.61 g) was higher than the BR-0 group (75.42 g); however, both were similar with BR-100 group (76.19 g). There was no significant difference in the egg shape index (68.22-69.69), albumen index (0.13-0.14) and yolk index (0.42-0.44) among the groups. The However, the Haugh unit in BR-100 groups (87.32) was lower than BR-0 group (89.90); but both were similar with BR-50 group (89.56). There were no significant differences in the percentage of albumen (55.09-55.71), yolk (31.75-32.38) and shell (12.45-12.63) among the groups. Similarly, the shell thickness with membrane (0.50-0.52, mm) and without membrane (0.43-0.44, mm) were also similar among the groups. It can be concluded that White Pekin ducks can be raised on wheat and/or broken rice-based diets during mid phase of laying under intensive rearing system; however, mixture of wheat and broken rice in equal ratio increased the performance and was economical.</div>

Performance of White Pekin Ducks Fed Wheat or Broken Rice based Diets during Mid Phase of Laying under Intensive Rearing System

Background: Duck meat consumption has been popularized and augmented during the past few decades and the better growth necessitates optimal mineral requirements. Over the past few decades, the consumption of duck meat has increased and become more popular and its improved growth requires the right minerals. Therefore, the present study was carried out conducted to find out the effect of supplementation of different levels of trace mineral mixture on the performance of White Pekin ducks for meat production purpose. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: 180 day-old White Pekin ducks (180; day-old) were divided into three groups; with each group consist of four replicates; and each replicate had 15 ducklings. Three experimental diets feeds were prepared by supplementing a standard starter feed with TMM @ of 100 g (TMM-100), 200 g (TMM-200) and 300 g (TMM-300) per 100 kg diet; and were offered randomly to the above three groups for eight weeks of age. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The day-old body weight (51.67- 52.02, g) and 8th&nbsp;week body weight (2155.02- 2176.17, g) of the ducklings were similar among the groups. The daily feed intake at the 8th week of age in TMM-100 group (156.62 g) was similar to both TMM-200 group (154.77 g) and TMM-300 group (160.31 g). However, the cumulative feed intake up to 8 weeks in TMM-100 group (6.83 kg) was similar to TMM-200 group (6.83 kg) and both the groups were recorded higher feed intake than the TMM-300 group (6.60 kg). The feed conversion ratio up to 8 weeks (3.07-3.17) was similar among all the experimental groups. The eviscerated weight percentage (68.98-70.27) was similar among all the treatment groups. There is were no significant differences in various body parts as percentage of eviscerated weight i.e. legs (19.89-20.51), breast (27.99-29.11) and wings (15.57-17.08) among the experimental groups. However, the back expressed as percentage of eviscerated weight in TMM-100 group (23.11) was similar to TMM-200 group (24.23), but lower than TMM-300 group (24.69) recorded higher weight than other two groups. It can be concluded that trace mineral mixture can be supplemented @ 100- 200 g per 100 kg feed in the diet of White Pekin ducks up to 8 weeks of age for resulted&nbsp; better growth rate and meat production.

Effect of Supplementation of Different Levels of Trace Mineral Mixture on the Performance of White Pekin Ducks for Meat Production Purpose

Background: A cytochemical and cytoenzymatic study involves using specialized stains to microscopically examine cellular components, including lipids and carbohydrates. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Freshly prepared blood smears from 26 apparently healthy adult ducks were used for cytochemical and cytoenzymatic analysis. The smears were stained with specific and special cytochemical stains, Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) for carbohydrates, Sudan Black B for lipids, acid ferrocyanide for non-heme iron and toluidine blue for mucopolysaccharides, as well as cytoenzymatic stains such as b-naphthol acetate esterase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, b-glucuronidase and peroxidase to assess enzymatic activity. 
&nbsp; 
Result: In the White Pekin duck, rare acid ferrocyanide-positive erythrocytes exhibited blue siderocyte granules with cell deformities, while leukocytes and thrombocytes were negative. Basophils strongly reacted to mucopolysaccharides, showing intense violet granules under toluidine blue, whereas other cells were non-reactive. Heterophils exhibited strong PAS positivity for carbohydrates, with eosinophils, erythrocytes and thrombocytes showing moderate positivity. Sudan black B staining revealed strong lipid positivity in eosinophils and heterophils, while other cells were showed negative for same. Cytoenzymatic analysis showed strong acid phosphatase activity in basophils, moderate activity in heterophils and weak activity in eosinophils and lymphocytes. Eosinophils and heterophils also strongly reacted to b-naphthol acetate esterase, with lymphocytes showing weak positivity. Thrombocytes were strongly positive for peroxidase and eosinophils and erythrocytes showed weak activity. Other cells remained non-reactive to b-glucuronidase, alkaline phosphatase and other enzymes, indicating distinct staining patterns across cell types.

Cytochemical and Cytoenzymatic Architectural Properties of the Blood Cells of White Pekin Duck

<div style="text-align: justify;">An investigation was carried out to compare the serum biochemical profile of two prominent avian species: &nbsp;ducks vis a vis chickens, at peak egg production phases. The genotypes consisted of 3 breeds of ducks: Khaki Campbell, White Pekins and a native duck breed: Kuzhi (reared in Odisha and adjoining regions) and besides the White Leghorn chickens, at 50 week age, numbering 30 each, with rearing done in individual cages. The result revealed significant (p&lt;0.0001) genotype-associated differences for almost all the serum biochemical parameters, except globulin. There existed a significant (p&lt;0.0001) difference between the species (duck verses chicken) for these parameters, with distinct inter-breed variations. Among the lipid profile HDL of ducks remained comparable to that of chickens, with the indigenous Kuzhi ducks displaying the most desirable lipid-profile of all the genotypes except LDL. The serum liver-enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) were well within normal ranges, expected or laying birds with significant difference between species, with between-breed variations among ducks. It was concluded that, ducks had significantly-distinct and variant serum biochemical profiles compared to chickens, where the indigenous ducks (of Odisha region) possessed the most- desirable estimates, as expected from table- egg laying species.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Comparative Serum Biochemical Profile for Different Breeds of Ducks versus White Leghorn Chickens in Peak Laying Period</div>

<div>Background: Pekin ducks are broadly raised over the world, particularly in Asia continent, moreover, they are famous for the delightful taste of Beijing roast duck around the world. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of beak color on growth performance, carcass traits and sexual dimorphism of Pekin ducks.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A total of 250 one-day-old Pekin ducks were separated according to beak color into two groups, yellow beak (YB) and blue beak (BB). Body weight and body weight gain were recorded from the first week to the marketing age (6 wks). Carcass traits were taken at the marketing age (20 ducks /each phenotype). Sexual dimorphism was calculated for live body weight and carcass traits at marketing age.&nbsp; 
 
Result: show that YB ducks have significantly heavier body weight at 1 and 5 wks of age compared to BB, however the body weight of BB ducks was higher at 3 and 4 wks of age. At marketing age, the differences in body weight between two phenotypes were not significant. Generally, BB ducks have significantly higher body weight gain and growth rate compared to YB ducks. The mortality and defect ratio were affecting beak color, the blue beak ducks recorded higher relative mortality rate and lower defect ratio compared to yellow beak ducks. There was no effect of beak color on carcass traits. However, the sexual dimorphism was significantly higher for the YB ducks for most traits compared to BB. In conclusion, we concluded has a significant effect beak color on growth performance and sexual dimorphism of Pekin ducks.</div>

Effect of Beak Color on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Pekin Ducks

Background: Duck farming is one of the major income generating enterprise, promoting&nbsp; rural&nbsp; economy in India. The occurrence of infectious diseases is the major bottle neck in the profit generation process of duck rearing. Duck cholera is one of the major bacterial infections, commonly noticed in 4 to 11 weeks age of egg laying ducks caused by Pasteurella multocida, leading to high mortality in ducklings whereas adult as well as meat type ducks are resistant. The present communication describes pathomorphology of acute duck cholera in Vigova Super M meat type breeder flock. 
 
Methods: An investigation was carried out to ascertain the possible cause of increased mortality in an intensively maintained 1000 Vigova Super M meat type breeder flock of 25 week old during the month of July 2023. Necropsy examination conducted on five dead birds and samples collected and subjected for bacteriological and pathological examination. 
 
Result: Affected breeder duck flocks&nbsp; showed cumulative mortality of 18 per cent. Clinical signs of depression, inappetance, mild conjunctivitis and mucus discharge from nostril for one or two days followed by death were noticed. At necropsy, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly with multifocal cream-colored foci randomly distributed throughout the parenchyma, vascular changes in various visceral organs were noticed. Impression smear of visceral organs of dead birds revealed bipolar organisms which was confirmed as&nbsp;Pasteurella multocida by cultural and biochemical examination. Microscopically, there was multifocal splenic and hepatic necrosis with intralesional rod-shaped bacteria. In conclusion, this investigation indicated that the adult breeder ducks susceptible to duck cholera,&nbsp; exhibiting pathomorphological features similar to young ducklings.

Pathomorphology of Acute Duck Cholera Infection in Meat Ducks

Background: One of the major diseases affecting ducks is Duck Virus Enteritis causing heavy mortality and high economic losses in duck farming.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In this study, in ovo vaccination technology was adopted using a Duck Embryo Fibroblast passaged Duck Virus Enteritis vaccine virus. This would be the first reported use of in ovo vaccination in ducks against a viral disease. Virus Neutralisation Test was used to measure the immune response after standardisation of the technique using hyperimmunised Barred Plymouth Rock rooster. An optimised dose of the Duck Virus Enteritis vaccine virus was computed using Embryo Lethal Dose50 assessment of hatchability. In ovo vaccination was done in 2 groups of 40 embryos each, one group acting as negative control and the other group as virus treatment group. A booster dose was given to the treatment group on 14th day post hatch.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Virus Neutralisation test using a beta method was carried out to measure the immune response. The treatment group showed an immune response of 3.33&plusmn;0.21 Log2 Antibody titre. This opens up a plethora of options of application of in ovo vaccination in ducks against viral diseases which would be a boon to the duck farming industry.

Growth Performance and Meat Quality of White Pekin Ducks Reared in Backyard Farming System

Impact of Dietary Aflatoxin-B1 on Juvenile Growth in White Pekin Ducks

Effect dietary choline supplementation on egg quality and serum biochemical profile in White Pekin Ducks

Performance of White Pekin Ducks Fed Wheat or Broken Rice based Diets during Mid Phase of Laying under Intensive Rearing System

Effect of Supplementation of Different Levels of Trace Mineral Mixture on the Performance of White Pekin Ducks for Meat Production Purpose

Cytochemical and Cytoenzymatic Architectural Properties of the Blood Cells of White Pekin Duck

Comparative Serum Biochemical Profile for Different Breeds of Ducks versus White Leghorn Chickens in Peak Laying Period

Effect of Beak Color on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Pekin Ducks

Pathomorphology of Acute Duck Cholera Infection in Meat Ducks

In ovo Vaccination in Ducks against Duck Virus Enteritis