Characteristics of Indigenous Ducks and Their Production System in Nigeria: A Review

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.