Effects of Drinking Water Sources on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Ducks

Date Received: Sep 04, 2025

Date Accepted: May 05, 2026

Date Published: Jun 30, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31817/vjas.2026.9.2.03

Views

0

Download

0

Issue: Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Section:

ANIMAL SCIENCE – VETERINARY MEDICINE – AQUACULTURE

How to Cite:

Nguyen, G., Doanh, B., Nga, B., Bo, H., Giang, N., Thu, C., … Vinh, N. (2026). Effects of Drinking Water Sources on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Ducks. Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 9(2), 2954–2965. https://doi.org/10.31817/vjas.2026.9.2.03

Effects of Drinking Water Sources on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Ducks

Giang Thi Phuong Nguyen (*) 1 , Bui Huy Doanh 1 , Bui Thi To Nga 2 , Ha Xuan Bo 1 , Nguyen Thi Chau Giang 1 , Cu Thi Thien Thu 1 , Nguyen Cong Oanh 1 , Nguyen Van Thong 1 , Bui Van Thanh 2   , Nguyen Thi Vinh 1

  • Corresponding author: [email protected]
  • 1 Faculty of Animal Science, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 12400, Vietnam
  • 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 12400, Vietnam

    • Keywords

    Drinking water source, growth performance, carcass traits

    Abstract


    This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of drinking water sources on the growth performance and carcass yield and quality of commercial Cherry Valley ducks raised in the coastal area of Thai Thuy (formerly Thai Binh province). A total of 225 Cherry Valley ducks (81 males and 144 females) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments corresponding to different drinking water sources (filtered water, tap water, and pond water), with three replicates of 25 ducks each. The results showed that water source significantly influenced the final body weight and average daily gain, with ducks receiving filtered or tap water performing better than those given pond water (P <0.05). However, weight gain, feed intake, and the feed conversion ratio were not affected (P >0.05). Carcass yield was generally unaffected by the drinking water source, except for thigh weight, while meat quality traits such as pH and color varied notably across the different water sources. Sex had a clear effect on growth and meat quality, with male ducks showing faster growth and higher thigh pH (P <0.05), while females exhibited greater breast water loss (P <0.05). The interaction between water source and sex also influenced the final body weight, growth rate, and several meat quality traits (L*, a*, pH15, b*) (P <0.05).

    References

    Ahmad T., Khalid T., Mushtaq T., Mirza M. A., Nadeem A., Babar M. E. & Ahmad G. (2008). Effect of potassium chloride supplementation in drinking water on broiler performance under heat stress conditions. Poultry Science. 87: 1276-1280. DOI: 10.3382/ps.2007-00299.

    Allen C. D., Fletcher D. L., Northcutt J. K. & Russell S. M. (1998). The relationship of broiler breast color to meat quality and shelf-life. Poultry Science. 77: 361-366. DOI: 10.1093/ps/77.2.361.

    ANZG (2023). Livestock drinking water guidelines. Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality. Australian and New Zealand Governments and Australian state and territory governments, Canberra.

    Asaniyan E. K., Adene I. C. & Adekunle S. A. (2012). Effect of drinking water sources on performance and carcass indices of broiler chickens. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production. 39: 46-53.

    Bui Huu Doan, Nguyen Thi Mai, Nguyen Thanh Son & Nguyen Huy Dat (2011). Indicators used in poultry production research. Hanoi: Agriculture Publishing House (in Vietnamese) .

    Costa V. R., Cruz F. G. G., Rufino J. P. F., Silva A. F., Freitas B. K. M., Feijó J. C. & Guimarães C. C. (2019). Available phosphorus levels in diets for Muscovy ducks in housing. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science. 21(2): 1-8. DOI: 10.1590/1806-9061-2018-0914.

    ELSaidy N., Mohamed R. A. & Abouelenien F. (2015). Assessment of variable drinking water sources used in Egypt on broiler health and welfare. Veterinary World. 8(7): 855-864. DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.855-864.

    Eniola K. I., Obafemi D. Y., Awe S. F., Yusuf I. I., Falaiye O. A. & Olowe A. O. (2007). Effects of containers and storage conditions on bacteriological quality of borehole water. Nature and Science. 5(4): 1-6.

    Fairchild B. D. & Ritz C. W. (2009). Poultry Drinking Water Primer. UGA Cooperative Extension Bulletin. 1301. University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

    FAO (2022). Agricultural Drainage Water Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/4/Y4263E/y4263e00.htm#Contents on February 27, 2025.

    FAOSTAT (2024). Livestock primary data. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/faostat on February 27, 2025.

    Folorunsho O. R., Laseinde E. A. O. & Onibi G. E. (2011). Physico-chemical composition of water from different sources for broiler production. Applied Tropical Agriculture. 15(1&2): 53-59.

    Husak R. L., Sebranek J. G. & Bregendahl K. (2008). A survey of commercially available broilers marketed as organic, free range, and conventional broilers for cooked meat yields, meat composition, and relative value. Poultry Science. 87: 2367-2376. DOI: 10.3382/ps.2007-00294.

    Ibitoye E. B., Dabai Y. U. & Mudi L. (2013). Evaluation of different drinking water sources in Sokoto North-West Nigeria on performance, carcass traits and haematology of broiler chickens. Veterinary World. 6(11): 879-883. DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2013.879-883.

    Kang S. M., Lee I. S., Ohh S., Kim G. Y. & Lee S. K. (2011). Effect of Deep Sea Water Supplementation on the Quality Characteristics of Chicken Meat. Korean Journal for Food Science of Animal Resources. 31: 92-98. DOI: 10.5851/kosfa.2011.31.1.092.

    Phuong T. L., Thuy N. T. & Thiet N. (2025). Effects of saline drinking water on growth performance, carcass traits, and blood biochemistry in crossbred Muscovy ducks. Veterinary World. 18(4): 782-790. DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.782-790.

    Qiao M. (2001). The influences of broiler breast meat color variation on meat quality. University of Georgia. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/openview/59298b278b707b572a94fcd95303e21b/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y on May 10, 2025.

    Marakan A., Galal A. & El-Attar A. H. (2017). Carcass parameters of Sudani, Muscovy duck strains and their cross. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production. 54(1): 47-53. DOI: 10.21608/ejap.2017.93290.

    Mushtaq M. M., Pasha T. N., Saima A. M., Mushtaq T., Parvin R., Farooq U., Mehmood S., Iqbal K. J. & Hwangbo J. (2013). Growth performance, carcass traits and serum mineral chemistry as affected by dietary sodium and sodium salts fed to broiler chickens reared under phase feeding system. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences. 26(12): 1742-1752. DOI: 10.5713/ajas.2013.13266.

    Ristic M. (1977). Influence of storage duration and temperature on meat quality in poultry. Kolte and

    Klimatechn. 30: 464-475.

    Reutor R. (2010). Water is the most important nutrients Nobel foundation. Agricultural Division. Retrieved from http://www.nobel.og/Ag/Livestock/Water important nutrient.htm on February 27, 2025.

    Tulu D., Hundessa F., Gadissa S. & Temesgen T. (2024). Review on the influence of water quality on livestock production in the era of climate change: Perspectives from dryland regions. Cogent Food and Agriculture 10(1): 2306726. DOI: 10.1080/23311932.2024.2306726.

    Vietnam Academy for Water Resources (2020). Report on saline intrusion status in coastal areas of Northern Vietnam (in Vietnamese).

    Watkins S. E., Fritts C. A., Yan F., Wilson M. E. & Waldroup P. W. (2005). Interaction of sodium chloride levels in poultry drinking water and the diet of broiler chickens. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 14: 55-59.

    WHO (1996). Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality: Health Criteria and Other Supporting information (2nd ed., Vol. 2). Geneva: International Programme on Chemical Safety.

    Sulaiman A., Rahmatullah S., Effendi H. & Simanungkalit G. (2022). Production performance of Alabio ducks (Anas platyrhynchos Borneo) under different levels of drinking water salinity. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research. 9(2): 241-245. DOI: 10.5455/javar.2022.i589.