Feed Restriction Can Alter Gait but Does not Reduce Welfare in Meat Ducks

Like other poultry species, Pekin ducks may develop gait abnormalities due to increased muscle growth relative to the skeletal system. Previous studies have shown that Pekin leg bones grow exponentially in terms of mineral deposition during the first 2 wk of life. Therefore, we hypothesized that a slight food restriction (FR) during that time would reduce muscle mass development sufficiently to allow the skeletal system to more fully develop. Our primary goal was to determine if FR could occur without increasing the time to market weight. To obtain this goal, ducks were provided either 65% (FR65) or 85% (FR85) of the control ducks daily feed intake. Food restricted ducks had lower (P < 0.05) body weights than controls at days 7 and 14. After day 14, when all ducks were fed ad libitum (ad libitum), food restricted ducks ate significantly (P < 0.01) more feed per day than control ducks and subsequently gained body weight at an increased rate. By day 35 there were no significant differences in body weight between FR85 and controls, however both FR groups showed reduced (P < 0.05) breast mass compared to controls. Qualitative assessment of gait also suggested that FR ducks had more uniform leg conformation and gait then did the control ducks and did not show any biological signs of reduced welfare. These data suggest that a slight FR is possible without adding time to market and this paradigm might reduce the occurrence of lameness in growing ducks.