A review of duck nutrition research

SummaryA review of the literature on the nutrition of ducks revealed that although several areas have been intensively researched (protein requirements, dietary effects on carcass composition, and vitamin E-selenium interactions), others have been almost totally neglected (certain vitamins, trace elements, and amino acids).Three major breeds or genetic crosses of ducks predominate in the majority of studies conducted: White Pekin, Muscovy, and “Mule” ducks. The latter, which are sterile, are crosses between Muscovy drakes and F1 females of White Pekin drakes and white domestic ducks. Because Muscovy ducks are slower-growing than White Pekins, Muscovy and mule requirement data may not be directly applicable to the White Pekin. Therefore, an attempt was made to identify the specific breed or genetic cross utilized in each study cited.