Evaluation of the stocking rate on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of male Peking ducks.

Two hundred and forty male Peking ducklings were raised in four litter pens at random to provide stocking densities of 2, 4, 6 and 8 birds/m 2 on the floor and 4, 8, 12 and 16 birds/m2 in cages. The birds were fed ad libitum during the day and equally exposed to all necessary management practices. The trial was conducted to observe the comparative carcass traits and meat quality. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in back, wings, neck and feed conversion ratio. Dressing percentage decreased (p<0.05) with increasing density above 4 birds/m2 on floor and in cages respectively.  Results from this study showed that stocking rate had no effect on physical characteristics of breast and thigh meat.