Production of duck and goose liver

Question 1

Physio background of fatty liver prod (2)

Answer 1

• Before migration fats are stored either SC or in the liver
• Carbs: are altered and then stored in the liver as TG’s- when TG prod exceeds TG transport- they are deposited in the liver and hence cause fatty liver!

Question 2

The breeds, hybrids and genders used for liver prod

Answer 2

Ducks: muscovy and malard (which is a muscovy pekin x)

Geese: grey landaise and gourmand (this is a hybrid of grey landaise)

Ducks: only drakes

Geese: both genders

**younger birds are preferred

Question 3

Length of force feeding for ducks

Answer 3

• First 7 wks: are fed as roasting
• Then 16-17% CP which enlarged the esophagus and preps the liver for force feeding

Question 4

Length of force feeding for geese

Answer 4

• Starter period: first 6 wks- fed similar to roasting
• Grower period: 5 wks– restriction
• Then prep for force feeding for 5-10 days by giving 1 or 2 meals a day

Question 5

Force feeding- what are the things to measure in the different breeds?

Answer 5

Start of force feed, start BW, duration of force feed, feed freq, liver weight

• Muscovy: 12wks vs 4.5kg vs 14 days vs 2x a day,500g of corn/day vs 450g
• Malard: 9wks vs 4.0kg vs 10 days vs 2x a day,800g corn/day vs 600g
• Geese: 12-14wks (no start BW) vs 14-21 days vs Day 1: 2 meals a day, day 2:3 meals a day and day 4:3meals a day vs at 14 days 600g and at 21days 700-750g

Question 6

Liver weight targets

Answer 6

ducks>300g

Geese>400g

Question 7

Feeds and amounts used

Answer 7

• Muscovy: 6-7kg
• Mallard: 8kg
• Geese at 14 days: 13kg
• Geese at 21 days: 22kg

**all get corn

**this is the amount per bird

Question 8

Which species is preferred and why? (5)

Answer 8

Ducks!!

1. Cheaper
2. Continually available
3. Same age at onset of feeding
4. Homogenous genotype- uniform life
5. Easier to feed

Question 9

Technology used

Answer 9

Charging machine- used for forced feeding

Feed mixer