Application of Mathematical Models to Predict Growth and Optimum Slaughter Ages of Na Tau Ducks in Vietnam

Date Received: Mar 29, 2025

Date Accepted: Aug 30, 2025

Date Published: Sep 30, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31817/vjas.2025.8.3.03

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Issue: Vol. 8 No. 3 (2025): Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences

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ANIMAL SCIENCE – VETERINARY MEDICINE – AQUACULTURE

How to Cite:

Phuong, T., Bo, H., Doanh, B., Giang, N., Thinh, N., Luc, D., … Vinh, N. (2025). Application of Mathematical Models to Predict Growth and Optimum Slaughter Ages of Na Tau Ducks in Vietnam. Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 8(3), 2614–2623. https://doi.org/10.31817/vjas.2025.8.3.03

Application of Mathematical Models to Predict Growth and Optimum Slaughter Ages of Na Tau Ducks in Vietnam

Tran Bich Phuong 1 , Ha Xuan Bo 1 , Bui Huy Doanh 1 , Nguyen Thi Phuong Giang 1 , Nguyen Hoang Thinh 1 , Do Duc Luc 1 , Pham Kim Dang 2   , Nguyen Thi Vinh (*) 1

  • Corresponding author: [email protected]
  • 1 Faculty of Animal Science, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 12400, Vietnam
  • 2 Department of Livestock Production and Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Enviroment, Hanoi 11519, Vietnam

    • Keywords

    Na Tau ducks, mathematical models, best-fit, growth curve, slaughter age

    Abstract


    This study was aimed to analyze the growth curves and predict the optimum slaughter ages of Na Tau ducks. Six mathematical models, namely von Bertalanffy, Janoschek, Gompertz, Logistic, Lopez, and Richards, were employed. Body weight data were collected weekly from birth to 10 weeks of age. The parameters used to evaluate the growth functions were the coefficient of determination (R2), the AIC (Akaike's information criterion), BIC (Bayesian information criterion), and the standard error of the regression function (SER), as analyzed using R software. Among the models tested, the Janoschek model provided the best fit for both male and female ducks, as it exhibited the lowest AIC, BIC, and SER values, together with the highest R2. The asymptotic body weights of male ducks ranged from 2213.16g (Logistic model) to 2726.58g (Lopez model), whereas for female ducks, they were estimated between 1968.89g (Logistic model) and 2401.25g (Lopez model). The maximum average weekly gains (AWGmax) estimated by the best-fit model were recorded at 6.28 and 5.81 weeks for males and females, respectively. Based on these findings, the optimal slaughter ages were determined to be 6.28 weeks for male Na Tau ducks (with a body weight of 1617.34g) and 5.81 weeks for females (with a body weight of 1410.9g).

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