Selection for stable productivity of two RT Muscovy duck lines over three generations
The study was conducted at the Thuy Phuong Poultry Research Center from 2023 to 2025 with the objective of selecting and stabilizing the productivity of two RT Muscovy duck lines over three generations. The selection process was based on phenotypic values combined with parental productivity performance. The results showed that, in terms of physical characteristics, adult Muscovy ducks exhibited black plumage with white speckles, white patches on the neck and head, two distinct white spots on the wings, black legs, and a gray beak. For the RT1 male line, the body weight of male ducks at 8 weeks of age ranged from 3307.62 to 3343.75 g, while females weighed 2305.02 - 2329.16 g. The average egg production was 101.91 - 102.03 eggs per hen per year, with a feed conversion ratio of 6.99 - 7.06 kg per 10 eggs. For the RT2 female line, the body weight of male ducks at 8 weeks of age ranged from 2618.69 to 2650.47 g, and females weighed 1609.86 - 1625.63 g. The average egg production was higher, reaching 112.93 - 113.53 eggs per hen per year, with a more efficient feed conversion ratio of 6.01 - 6.21 kg per 10 eggs. The embryo rate reached 95.82–96.39%.
