EFFECTS OF LIGHTING PROGRAM, FEED RESTRICTION, ENERGY AND PROTEIN ALLOWANCES ON THE PERFORMANCES OF BREEDER PEKIN DUCKS

The effects of rearing conditions of Pekin ducks on their laying perfo rmances were studied. Two lighting programmes (photostimulation begini ng on weeks 16 and 19) and two feed restriction levels (allowing ducks to reach a weight of 2.6 and 2.8 kg at 21 weeks of age) were tested. Also the effects of three layer diets with different: concentrations o f metabolisable energy (10.04, 10.88 or 11.72 MJ ME/kg. Were included into the investigation. The two lighting programmes practically provid ed the same laying performances. The more severe feed restriction leve l improved the egg production and allowed a feed economy around 8.5 kg per duck, for the whole carrier (0-65 weeks) of the females. The diff erent layers diets tested had no effect on the laying performances bec ause the ducks were quite able to regulate their feed consumption acco rding to the metabolisable energy concentration in the diet.