Abstract
Integrated rice-duck farming (RD) system, which aims to improve the welfare of ducks, has gained popularity in Asian countries. However, the effects of RD system on the carcass and quality traits of duck meat have not been evaluated. Here, a paddy field experiment was conducted to examine the effects of RD system on the carcass and quality traits of duck meat. A total of 180 Jinding ducklings (7 days old) were randomly divided into 2 rearing systems of floor pen rearing (FPR) system and RD system. After 11 weeks, 12 ducks from each rearing system (6 males and females each) were used for carcass traits, meat quality, amino acid, and fatty acid analyses. The results showed that ducks reared in the RD system had higher carcass yield and intramuscular fat content (P < 0.05) than those reared in the FPR system; however, ducks reared in the RD system had lower protein and moisture content (P < 0.05). Additionally, the concentration of essential amino acids, including Tyr, Val, Met, Phe, His, Ala, Arg, and Pro, was higher in the breast muscle of ducks reared in the RD system than those reared in the FPR system. Furthermore, higher saturated fatty acid (C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, and C21:0), monounsaturated fatty acid (C16:1, C18:1, and C18:1T), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (C22:2, C18:2n-6, and C22:6n3) content was recorded in the breast muscle of ducks reared in the RD system than those reared in the FPR system (P < 0.05). Taken together, our results indicated that the RD system improved the carcass traits, intramuscular fat, essential amino acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids profiles of the ducks. These findings suggest that the RD system is an effective strategy to improve the welfare and meat quality of ducks.