Reproduction Performance of the Second Generation of Reciprocal Cross of Tegal and Magelang Duck

This study aims to identify and compare the reproduction performance of the second generation (F2) of reciprocal crossbred between Tegal and Magelang duck. Crossing male (♂) Magelang duck and female (♀) Tegal duck produces Maggal duck while crossing male (♂) Tegal duck and female (♀) Magelang duck produces Gallang duck. Maggal duck and Gallang duck were interse mating (F2 x F2). The materials of the study were 672 hatching duck eggs obtained from the pen mating of 50 Maggal ducks and 50 Gallang ducks (1 male for 5 female). The quasi-experiment was conducted with descriptive statistics and T-test to examine different characteristics between Maggal duck and Gallang duck. The observed variables were hatching egg weight, hatching weight, fertility, hatchability, and hatching yield. The value of heterosis value was obtained by comparing the performance of crossbred with that of their parents. Results showed that Maggal duck and Gallang duck had the following variables in respective order: hatching egg weight of 66.02±4.04 g and 66.36±3.58 g; hatching weight of 43.02±2.82 g and 41.52±2.99 g; percentage of hatching weight of 65.63% and 62.70%; egg fertility of 73.13±11.82% and 76.72±14.24%; hatchability of 31.55±16.40% and 25.68±12.68%, and hatching yield 19.21±9.13% and 18.02±9.37%. The T-test results demonstrated no significant difference (P≥0.05) in the observed performance between Maggal duck and Gallang duck. Conclusively, the reproduction performance (fertility, hatchability, and hatching yield) of Maggal duck and Gallang duck in the second generation (F2) was relatively similar. The reproduction performance of hatchability is a viable criterion for the second generation of Maggal duck selection.