Harun M A, Veeneklaas R J, Van Kampen M, Mabasso M
Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
Poult Sci. 1998 Sep;77(9):1280-6. doi: 10.1093/ps/77.9.1280.
A breeding biology study of a genetically unselected variety of Muscovy duck Cairina moschata was conducted in an experimental duck unit in Maputo, Mozambique (25 degrees 58' S, 32 degrees 35' E), to gain insight into factors affecting hatchability during natural incubation. Nesting and incubation behaviors were recorded by daily nest visits. Of 1,338 nests investigated, 70% were incubated until hatching. In 23% of the incubated nests, eggs were laid by more than one duck in the same nest, indicated as dump nests. Artificial dump nests (15% of the incubated nests) were created by adding eggs (690 eggs) from nests abandoned by the duck before incubation had started. A total of 37% of the incubated nests contained eggs that were laid after the onset of incubation (nonterm eggs). Similar hatching rate was found between ducks raised in parks with or without access to swimming water. No significant difference was found in hatchability between normal (0.76) and dump nests (0.77). Artificial dump nests showed higher hatching rates than nests containing nonterm eggs. Dump nesting appears to be a reproductive strategy used by the Muscovy duck to enhance duckling production. Hatching rate was strongly influenced by the length of laying period (period between the ovoposition of the first egg until the onset of incubation) and reproduction cycle (laying period and incubation period). Hatchability was higher for clutches with a shorter reproduction cycle. It is concluded that nesting behavior of the domesticated Muscovy duck is similar to that of its wild ancestor.
在莫桑比克马普托的一个实验鸭场（南纬25度58分，东经32度35分），对未经过基因筛选的番鸭品种进行了繁殖生物学研究，以深入了解自然孵化过程中影响孵化率的因素。通过每日探访巢穴记录筑巢和孵化行为。在调查的1338个巢穴中，70%的巢穴孵化至幼雏出壳。在23%已孵化的巢穴中，同一巢穴内有不止一只鸭子产蛋，即所谓的混合巢。人工混合巢（占已孵化巢穴的15%）是通过添加在孵化开始前被鸭子遗弃的巢穴中的蛋（690枚）形成的。总共37%已孵化的巢穴中含有孵化开始后产下的蛋（非足月蛋）。在有或没有游泳水域的公园中饲养的鸭子，其孵化率相似。正常巢穴（孵化率0.76）和混合巢（孵化率0.77）的孵化率没有显著差异。人工混合巢的孵化率高于含有非足月蛋的巢穴。混合筑巢似乎是番鸭用于提高雏鸭产量的一种繁殖策略。孵化率受产蛋期（从产下第一枚蛋到开始孵化的时间段）和繁殖周期（产蛋期和孵化期）的长度强烈影响。繁殖周期较短的窝卵数孵化率更高。研究得出结论，家养番鸭的筑巢行为与其野生祖先相似。
