Abstract
Male and female White Muscovy and White Pekin ducks were killed at weekly intervals from hatching to 10 weeks. Their carcasses were dissected and lengths of skeletal units and weights of representative muscles were recorded. Data were analysed for allometric (proportional) growth relative to keel length or unilateral breast muscle weight using Huxley's allometric growth equation. Wing bones tended to grow proportionally faster than keel length; this was most evident in Muscovies, possibly because of their greater powers of flight. Skull and leg bones grew proportionally more slowly than keel length. Biceps brachii, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemius muscles grew proportionally more slowly than breast muscles. The existing pattern of allometric growth in duck carcasses suggests that the response of total muscle mass to selection for increased breast muscle mass will be greater in Muscovies relative to Pekins with similar breast improvement.
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