Abstract:

This experiment aims to explore the growth performance, slaughter performance and muscle quality of Shaoxing ducks under grassland-pond conditions. A total of 102 18-day-old Shaoxing ducks came from the same batch in the experiment were randomly divided into 3 groups, which were cultured in grassland and pond environment for 42 days, and the growth performance, slaughter performance and muscle quality were evaluated. The results showed that after 42 days of co-rearing in grassland-pond conditions, the body weight of Shaoxing ducks at 60-day-old was 1 256.75 g, the average daily gain was 25.13 g, and the slaughter rate was 86.91%. Breast muscle percentage was 6.25%, intermuscular fat content was 1.46%, inosinic acid content was 1.21 mg·kg^-1. Leg muscle percentage was 13.90%, intermuscular fat content was 1.96%, inosinic acid content was 1.37 mg·kg^-1. A total of 11 aliphatic acids were detected in breast muscle and leg muscle, including 3 essential fatty acids. The results indicated that Shaoxing ducks in grassland-pond conditions had good growth traits, better slaughter performance, and relatively rich fatty acid content in muscle. The water environment was benificial to the breast muscle growth of Shaoxing ducks, and the grassland-pond conditions could be an excellent breeding condition for Shaoxing ducks.

Key words: Shaoxing ducks, grassland-pond conditions, growth performance, slaughter performance, muscle quality