Study On The Effects Of Selection In Xianhu No.3 Breeder Ducks

In this study Xianhu No.2 ducks, Cherry Valley ducks and Tegel ducks were used as breeding materials for selections of Xianhu No.3 Ducks . According to the principal of modern poultry genetics and breeding , Systematics selection have been conducted for 10 generations by the methods of family selection and'individual selection .Growth performances, feed conversion rate ,dressed performances and egg production of every generation for Xianhu No.3 Ducks A and B strains were tested , and the strain combining ability between strains and the performances of commercial meat ducks were tested .The results showed that:1. After 10 generation selection , the 10th generation ducks of A strain yielded an average 49 day-old weight of 3.89kg , feed conversion rate of 2.75 , breast-thigh meat percentage of 24.3% , an egg production of 183 for the breeder duck ; a fertility percentage of 86.5% and a hatchability of 81.7% . Every major character has been highly significantly improved (p<0.01). On the whole , while maintaining the stability of heritability ,the A strain has been significantly improved in growing rate and feed consumption rate etc , achieving the goal of the paternal line , with significant breeding effects .2. The 10th breeder ducks of B strain yielded an average egg production of 210 at 64- week-old, which is 37 more than that of the 1st generation , or 27 more than that of the 10th generation ducks of A strain highly significant (p<0.01). The egg fertility rate egg hatchability of B strain for 10th generation ducks were 87.8%,83.0% respectively, significantly higher than those of the 1st generation . The average weight , feed conversion rate , breast-thigh meat percentage of 49 days-old were 3.72kg , 2.78, 23.0% respectively , significantly higher than the beginning generation . While maintaining the stability of growth performance , breeder ducks of B strain has been significantly improved in heritability , meeting the demand of the maternal line, with significant effects .3. Through the combining ability tests , a desirable cross model for the two strains was obtained , which is A X B . The hybridized AB offsprings showed heterosis of 1.99%~ 6.10% in growth rate , feed conversion rate and breast-thigh meat percentage etc. Under the local raising condition , the commercial meat ducks yielded an average weight of 49 days of 3.723kg ,feed conversion rate of 2.70 , breast-thigh meat percentage of 23.76% , reaching the advanced level of production performances among the same sort of meat ducks home and abroad.