Breeding biology of Muscovy duck Cairina moschata in natural incubation: the effect of nesting behavior on hatchability.

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.

Use of the dry chemistry "Reflotron" blood analyzer under outdoor-field conditions in veterinary medicine.

Adapting the concept of "bed-side" patient analysis, the Boehringer-Mannheim Reflotron was evaluated for its possible use in veterinary medicine under outdoor-field conditions. Horse blood was analysed with the Cobas Bio analyzer, and indoor and outdoor analyses were also performed with the Reflotron. All values showed close agreement with no significant differences. Good correlation coefficients (r values around 0.9000) were also seen between all methods used. The Reflotron was operated under outdoor-field conditions by using, whenever available, an on-farm electricity source, or a gas operated generator. The data supports the proposal to adapt the Reflotron (or any other proved system) for outdoor-field, patient-side blood analysis, thus providing the veterinary clinician with values for blood quantities, and enabling an improved and more complete diagnosis.