Determining the Optimal Feed Intake for the Brooding and Rearing Stages in VST Parent Ducks
The study was conducted at the VIGOVA Duck Breeding Farm from February 2023 to May 2024 to determine the appropriate feed intake level during the duckling and grower stages for VST high-egg-yield breeder ducks. The experiment followed a completely randomized design (CRD) with three feed levels: 100% (according to the current protocol), +3%, and +6%. Results showed that increasing feed intake during the duckling and grower stages enhanced growth performance, shortened the age at sexual maturity, increased laying rate and egg production, and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR). Treatment 3 (6% increased feed) delivered the best outcomes, with the highest body weights in both males and females at the end of the grower stage, the earliest laying age, an average laying rate of 78.38%, egg production of 285.42 eggs/hen, and the lowest FCR (2.15). No significant differences were observed among treatments in fertilized egg rate, hatchability of grade 1 ducklings, or egg biological traits. These findings suggest that increasing feed intake by 6% during the duckling and grower stages is appropriate and effective for optimizing the rearing process of VST breeder ducks.
