Askar Nametov , Alzhan Shamshidin , Aruzhan Nugmanova *, Arman Sabyrzhanov , Zhanylsyn Makhimova and Nazerke Baktygerey
Zhangir Khan Agrarian Technical University, Uralsk, Republic of Kazakhstan
*Corresponding author: aru_kyz_90@mail.ru
The aim of this study was to develop efficient approaches to waterfowl breeding based on selection and technological methods by comprehensively evaluating the productive, reproductive, and biological traits of different duck crosses. The Ansar, Bashkir Colored, Cherry Valley, and Kyzylzhar crosses were evaluated for feed composition, drake semen quality, egg morphology and incubation traits, egg production, growth performance, blood biochemical parameters, and carcass characteristics. Cereal feeds provided the main energy source, whereas soybean cake and soybean meal contained the highest crude protein concentrations (376.7 and 377.6 g/kg, respectively), confirming their importance for balancing dietary protein and essential amino acids. Ansar drakes had a significantly higher sperm concentration than Bashkir Colored drakes (2.23 ± 0.03 vs. 2.01 ± 0.05 × 10⁹ spermatozoa/cm³; P<0.05). Compared with Bashkir Colored, Ansar produced significantly heavier hatching eggs (86.2 ± 0.16 vs. 85.4 ± 0.19 g; P<0.05) and showed higher fertility (93.6% vs. 91.5%), hatchability (81.0% vs. 78.5%), and survival of young birds (99.0% vs. 98.0%). At 49 days of age, Ansar ducks had a significantly greater live body weight than Bashkir Colored ducks (3478.56 ± 9.47 vs. 3222.92 ± 10.25 g; P<0.05) and a lower feed conversion ratio (2.00 vs. 2.20 kg feed/kg live weight gain). Carcass evaluation showed that Ansar had the highest pre-slaughter live weight (3692.3 ± 30.2 g), eviscerated carcass weight (2409.2 ± 18.25 g), and eviscerated carcass yield (69.4%); its eviscerated carcass weight was significantly higher than that of the other studied crosses (P<0.05). The blood biochemical assessment indicated no overt adverse physiological responses. Overall, the Ansar cross demonstrated strong combined reproductive, growth, feed-efficiency, and meat-production performance, supporting its potential for commercial duck production under Kazakhstan conditions.