Mawang Duck

Mawang Duck

Mawang Duck is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Mawang Duck, named after its original production area in Mawang Town, Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Chongqing, is a small-sized, high-quality local egg-laying duck breed. In 2000, it was discovered and subsequently expanded, protected, and researched by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau of Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Chongqing. Between 2004 and 2008, one core conservation farm, ten breeding farms, two hundred incubation households were established, and three conservation areas were designated. In June 2006, Mawang Duck was approved by the former Chongqing Livestock and Poultry Breed Approval Committee. In May 2009, Mawang Duck passed the on-site evaluation by the Poultry Professional Committee of the National Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Committee, and on October 15, 2009, it was officially recognized as a national livestock and poultry genetic resource through Announcement No. 1278 of the Ministry of Agriculture.

　　Production Status

　　　　According to a 2008 survey, the population of Mawang Ducks was 466,000, including 152,000 in the core group—8,600 drakes and 143,400 ducks.

　　Physical Characteristics

　　　　Adult Mawang Ducks are small in size with a compact body, a slender neck, and a delicate head. Drake heads and the upper part of the neck are covered in iridescent dark green feathers with a metallic sheen, and there is a white feather ring around the middle of the neck. The back feathers are brown or black, tail feathers are black, and the mirror feathers are dark green or brown. Female ducks are mostly light mottled, with a few being dark mottled. Legs and beaks are orange-yellow, though some male ducks have bluish beaks. Feet are black or yellow. Ducklings mainly have yellow down, with brown or light brown roots on the head, back, wings, and tail.

　　Breed Performance

　　　　Under normal rearing conditions, the average weight of newly hatched ducklings is not less than 35.0g. At 60 days old, males weigh not less than 740g and females not less than 800g. Adult males weigh not less than 1100g and females not less than 1350g. The average age of first egg laying is 110 days. The average annual egg production is not less than 240 eggs, with eggshell color primarily ivory-white and an average egg weight of not less than 65.3g. At 100 days old, the slaughter rate is not less than 85.0% for drakes and not less than 84.0% for ducks, with semi-eviscerated weights of not less than 850.0g for drakes and not less than 820.0g for ducks. The male-to-female ratio is 1:20 to 1:25. The fertilization rate of breeder eggs in the core group is not less than 91.0%, the hatching rate of fertile eggs is not less than 92.0%, and the 30-day survival rate of ducklings is not less than 92.0%.

　　Mawang Ducks are valued for their relatively light weight, early onset of egg laying, high egg production, strong adaptability, tolerance to coarse feed, ability to withstand hot and humid environments, high resilience, and suitability for raising in rice paddies and valleys. They offer significant potential for research, development, and utilization.