CALCIUM REQUIREMENT OF MALE MUSCOVY DUCKLINGS

1. Four experiments were undertaken to estimate the calcium requirement of male muscovy ducklings between 3 and 8 weeks of age (2 experiments) and between 8 and 12 weeks of age (2 experiments). 2. Maximum growth rate and optimal food conversion were reached with diets containing 4.6 and 4.2 g calcium per kg between 3 to 8 weeks and 8 to 12 weeks respectively. 3. Femur, tibia, tarso-metatarsus and humerus characteristics were measured. Bone sizes and ash contents were scarcely influenced by calcium supply. Effects, when significant, remained very weak. The best bone characteristics were obtained with 4*0 g available phosphorus and 8.4 g calcium per kg diet between 3 and 8 weeks of age, and 2.6 g available phosphorus and 4.3 g calcium per kg diet between 8 and 12 weeks of age. © 1990, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.