Study On The Optimum Dietary Protein Levels For The Mallard Ducks In The Different Growing Periods

In the experiment, the mallard ducks (Anas Platyrhnchos) at different days were selected and assigned the three groups (â… , â…¡ ,â…¢) randomly. The experiment was conducted to study the requirement of dietary protein for the mallard ducks in different periods.1. After having been fed for 4 weeks, all items of the group â…  is significant different (P< 0.05) from that of group â…¡ and groupâ…¢, while no significant differences were founded between group â…¡ and groupâ…¢, which indicated the crude protein levels of group â…¡ (CP:19%) was enough for the mallard ducks growing completely.2. 5-week-old mallard ducks were reared for 6 weeks with different crude protein levels (CP:15%,17%,19%). The results of the experiment indicated that the group â…¡(CP:17%) is suitable for mallard ducks from 5 to 11 weeks. It was founded that the mallard ducks' body weight gain was mostly from their bones and muscles, other than from fat. So it is unsuitable to fatten mallard ducks before 11 weeks age.3. 45 breeding mallard ducks of 9-month-old were reared for 17 weeks. The results of the rearing experiment showed that fertilized rate and hatching rate increased with increasing dietary crude protein levels, while there was no significant difference (P>0.05) among 3 groups. But there was significant differences(P<0.005) in other items among all groups. As a result, the group â…¡ (CP:16%) is suitable for laying mallard ducks.