Swimming access improves nutritional value but alters sensory traits in Muscovy duck meat

1. This study evaluated the effects of housing system and sex on meat nutritional and sensory traits in Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) using 1152 birds allocated in a 2 & times; 2 factorial design (housing system & times; sex), with or without access to a swimming pond.2. The ducks which had swimming access showed significantly higher protein in breast and thigh muscle, more PUFA in breast meat and improved mineral profile, particularly Fe, Mg and P, in both breast and thigh meat. They exhibited lower intramuscular fat content and received lower sensory scores for tenderness, juiciness and odour intensity in breast.3. Sex significantly affected meat quality traits, with males having leaner meat and higher sensory scores, whereas females had higher fat and protein in muscle.4. The results suggest that providing access to a swimming pond may improve certain nutritional parameters of duck meat but could compromise some sensory quality traits.