Comparative Evaluation of Long Bone Weight and Density in Indigenous Muscovy Ducks and Local Chickens

Long bone morphology and density are important determinants of skeletal strength, locomotion and functional adaptation in birds, yet comparative information on indigenous Muscovy ducks and local chickens remains limited. This study compared long bone weight and bone density between indigenous Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) and local chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) to provide baseline anatomical data for comparative avian skeletal biology. Thirty-two apparently healthy adult birds comprising sixteen Muscovy ducks and sixteen local chickens, with equal numbers of males and females, were used. Following humane euthanasia, skeletons were prepared using the cold-water maceration technique, and the humerus, radius, ulna, carpometacarpus, femur, tibiotarsus, fibula and tarsometatarsus were isolated. Bone weights were measured with an analytical balance, while bone density was determined using the water displacement method based on Archimedes' principle. Data were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean and analysed using the independent samples Student's t-test at P < 0.05. Results showed that male birds of both species showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in total skeletal weight, long bone weight or the percentage contribution of long bones to total skeletal weight. Female Muscovy ducks had significantly greater total skeletal and long bone weights than female local chickens. Female ducks also had significantly heavier humerus, radius, ulna, carpometacarpus and fibula, whereas no significant differences were observed in the femur, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus. In males, wing bones were significantly heavier in Muscovy ducks, while hindlimb bones were significantly heavier in local chickens. Bone density did not differ significantly between species or sexes. These findings provide baseline anatomical data on long bone characteristics in indigenous poultry species