Effects of three different rearing methods on the productive performance of Shanma duck

To investigate a rearing method with high productive performance for laying duck instead of traditional raising method,the effects of three different rearing methods including net,cage and free- range rearing on the productive performance of Shanma duck were studied during the laying period. The results showed that after 231 d of feeding trials the average egg number and the total egg weight per Shanma duck were179. 3 and 11. 95 kg at 231 d in the cage rearing group,respectively; which were extremely significantly lower( P 0. 01) than those in the free- range rearing group( 189. 9,12. 75 kg) and the net rearing group( 192. 2,12. 54 kg),and there was no significant difference( P 0. 05) between the free- range and net rearing groups. The feed / egg ratio in the net rearing group during the total period was 3. 68,and which was similar( P 0. 05) in the free- range rearing group( 3. 58). The feed / egg ratio both in the net and free- range rearing groups was extremely significantly lower( P 0. 01) that in the cage rearing group( 4. 56). The abnormal egg rate in the net rearing group was 3. 21 %,which was extremely significantly lower( P 0. 01) than that in the cage rearing group( 5. 44%) and the free- range rearing group( 4. 12%),but the abnormal egg rate in the cage rearing group was extremely significantly higher( P 0. 01) than that in the free- range rearing group. The results indicate that the net- rearing method not only does not affect the laying performance of the Shanma duck,and can reduce feed consumption and replace the traditional methods.