Production performance of desi layer ducks under cage system of rearing

Thirty-three indigenous ducks from Kuttanad (Kerala) were housed in individual cages having a dimension of 62 x 47 cm with a height of 44cm. and the production traits were studied for five laying periods of 28 days each from 21 to 40 weeks of age. The mean ages at first egg and 50 per cent production were 149.03 and 164 days respectively. The cumutative egg number per duck up to 40 weeks of age was 80.64±0.41 and both the mean per cent duck day and per cent duck housed egg production was 57.60. The mean daily feed consumption was 171.88 ± 1.59g with feed conversion efficiency of 3.6 ± 0.26 (kg.feed Idozen eggs). The overall mean period-wise egg weight was 57.42 ± 1.50 g.