Clarita T. Dagaas | J.m. Atienza | Angel L. Lambio | Cisima P. Lavega
Discipline: Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science
The study determined the performance of forced molted and non-forced molted Philippine Mallard ducks from different origins based on live weight, egg production, egg quality and weight, feed efficiency, livability and cost of egg production. Ninety (90) 12-month old Philippine Mallard layer ducks (30 from each group - Laguna, Iloilo and Bukidnon) were assigned to two treatments replicated three times following a 2x3 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. The Laguna group of ducks responded differently to forced molting treatment, with significantly higher (P<0.05) final weight to ducks from Bukidnon and Iloilo. All forced-molted ducks showed significantly higher (P<0.05) hen-day egg production compared to the non-forced molted ducks. Furthermore, they produced heavier/bigger eggs after forced molting. Feed efficiency was also improved, although the cost of producing an egg was lower for the non-forced molted ducks. Ducks from Laguna had generally the lowest cost of producing an egg.