Abstract
Indigenous ducks are important biodiversity resources and genetic reservoirs needed for mitigating future challenges of food insecurity even though they are highly prejudiced in some parts of Nigeria. They can compare favourably with chickens to produce meat and egg, can adapt to different climatic conditions since raising them does not require elaborate houses. These ducks are known for their high hatching rate that is higher than any other local poultry species and also have the potential to perform better under improved management systems. Average body weight of 2.7 and 1.6 kg have been reported for drakes and females respectively, egg weight of about 50-60 g have equally been reported. Each duck can lay between 60-80 eggs annually under scavenging conditions, while meat from duck is rich in unsaturated fatty acids which are advantageous for human health. Wide variations in phenotypic traits and also high genetic diversity exist among ducks. Thus the findings of this paper suggest that the genetic makeup of these ducks have not been altered through selective breeding therefore, their genetic improvement and conservation is highly essential towards achieving food security.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
