Crossbreeding effects for body weight and carcase traits in Pekin duck

1. Three sire lines of Pekin duck, three dam lines and 9 crosses between these two groups were tested in replicated tests from 1987 to 1991. Body weight at the age of 7 weeks (n = 5189), carcase percentage, percentage of abdominal fat and thickness of breast muscles were recorded (n = 1432 for carcase traits).

2. The data were analysed by linear models. All models contained the factors test and sex. When analysing only crosses, general and specific combining abilities (GCA and SCA respectively) were included as well as their interactions with the test. Using the complete data set (lines and crosses), direct genetic and heterotic effects were considered.

3. The factors test and sex were significant in both data sets for all traits.

4. For body weight, all genetic factors were significant. The average heterosis was 65 g ± 9 g (2.2%); the highest observed heterosis was 7.7%.

5. For carcase percentage, the heterosis was always negative (up to — 2.1%), whereas in abdominal fat, a desirable negative heterosis was observed only in one cross. No significant heterotic or combining ability effects were observed in the thickness of breast muscles.

6. Significant interactions between at least one genetic factor and test were found in all traits.

7. The relative importance of GCA and SCA, possible sources of confounding estimates of genetic effects, the importance of heterotic effects and genotype × environment interactions are discussed.