EFFECTS OF SOME FACTORS AFFECTING EARLY GROWTH AND BODY WEIGHT OF MUSCOVY DUCKLINGS (CAIRINA MOSCHATA) IN A SEMI ARID REGION OF NIGERIA

Résumé

This research was carried out to determine the effects of some factors (Age, Sex and Plumage colour) affec ting early growth performance of Muscovy ducklings, within Maiduguri metropolis. The information collected were sex, plumage colour (White, Black and White and Multicoloured) and body weight from 0-6 weeks at weekly interval. Data collected were analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) and significant means were separated by the Least Significant Difference (LSD). The results obtained showed that the mean body weight from 0-6 weeks ranged from 37.03 g to 670.02 g, respectively. The highest body weights among the three plumage colours were recorded for Multicoloured across all ages measured. The results  obtained also revealed that drake ducklings were superior (p<0.05) to their female counterparts at all ages studied. Body weight of Muscovy ducklings up to six weeks of age exhibit sexual dimorphism and multicoloured plumage colour can be recommended for selection for increased body weight.