Influence of Dietary L-Carnitine on Productive Performance, Internal Organs and Carcass Characters of Two Duck Breeds Reared for Foie Gras Production

A total of 120 male Muscovy ducks and 120 male Moulord ducks reared for foie gras production were used to study the effect of dietary L-carnitine supplementation on productive performance, internal organs and carcass characters. Ducks of each genotype were allotted into two groups (n=60), the first group received dietary L-carnitine at level of 500mg/kg ration and the other keep as control. L-carnitine supplementation increased body weights at 2 and 4 weeks significantly than control groups also weight gain and relative growth rate from hatch to 2 weeks were significantly increased in L-carnitine groups. From the 6 week of age the effect of L-carnitine on body weight and weight gain were not significant. Dietary L-carnitine increased significantly heart weight and heart percentage of life weight in Muscovy ducks and pancreas percentage of life weight in Moulord ducks compared to their control groups. However, all other body organs, carcass characters and carcass parts chemical composition did not differ significantly. Muscovy ducks recorded significantly higher life weight, carcass weight, dressing %, total fillet weight, shoulder weight and thigh weight and percentage of life weight than Moulord ducks. The benefit from dietary L-carnitine on productive performance traits can be obtained within the first 4 weeks of life also marketing of Mule ducks should be at 8 weeks old age, however Muscovy ducks marketing could be delayed till 10 weeks old age.