Egg laying performance of ducks (Anas boschas) as influenced by daylength and different amounts of duck layer pellets

There was no significant difference noted on the gain in weight of the ducks assigned in the different treatment combinations after the four-month duration of the study. Ducks that were given light consumed significantly higher amount of pellets than the ducks without light. Full-fed ducks had significantly higher intake of pellets than the restricted ducks. Ducks without light produced significantly heavier eggs than those with light. Significant differences was also noted among the full-fed and restrictedly-fed ducks. The full-fed ducks with light produced the heaviest eggs. Laying efficiency was not affected by light. Full-fed ducks had significantly better laying efficiency than the restricted ducks. Light did not affect the laying efficiency of full-fed ducks, while a significant difference was observed between the restricted with and without light groups. The feed conversion efficiency of the ducks with light is significantly lower than those without light. Full-fed ducks registered a much lower FCE [feed conversion efficiency] than the restricted birds. Full-fed ducks with and without light obtained the same FCE values. On the other hand, a significant difference was revealed between the restricted ducks with and without light. The ducks without light produced more fertile eggs than ducks with light. The full-fed ducks have significantly produced more fertile eggs than the restricted birds. Ducks assigned in the full-feeding without light obtained the highest number of fertile eggs while the lowest number of fertile eggs came from the restricted without light group. Significant interaction was also noted in the interaction between light and feeding. The thickness of the egg shell was not influenced by light and feeding. So significant difference was observed on the egg shell thickness of the ducks in the different treatment combinations. ROI [return on investment] was highest in the full-feeding without light group. While the lowest was observed in the restricted without light group. Ducks with and without light obtained significantly different ROI. Restricted and full-fed ducks also showed significant difference in ROI