Duck meat is considered more culinary refined than chicken meat. The nutritional value, usefulness and taste of meat make it very popular among gourmets and people seeking quality nutrition. Duck poultry farming in our country is very developed, and the choice is most often made in favor of meat breeds, since duck egg production is not too high. In this direction, there are no equal domestic chickens.
Features
Meat directions in poultry farming are one of the most demanded. Broiler breeds of ducks are characterized by a very intensive weight gain. Ducks that grow quickly are quite prolific, they have well-developed immunity. The fillet of such birds is considered not only juicy and tasty, but also very healthy and nutritious. The meat variety of ducks is outwardly quite remarkable: the birds have a well-developed strong body, the muscles are quite massive.
The weight of the carcass on average varies between 3,5 and 4 kg. The rate of weight gain is another advantageous indicator: as early as two months old, the birds can be used. In order for the parameters of the bird to be within the optimal range, it is necessary to follow the rules for feeding ducklings, the proportions of the feed must be maintained in this way:
- ½ of the volume – cereals;
- ? from the volume – vegetables and herbs;
- 5% hay flour;
- 3% yeast;
- 1,5% fish oil.
Overview of popular breeds
Despite the fact that the breeding of meat ducks is distinguished by high profitability, there is nothing complicated about it. Of course, in order for the enterprise to flourish, it is necessary to select the best breeds of ducks in terms of genetics. We offer you a description of the most popular broiler breeds, the meat of which is very healthy and tasty.
black white breasted
Bred in Ukraine, it is distinguished by early maturation, good meat quality, good egg production. External features:
- the body is dense, raised;
- powerful wings;
- the chest is sunken;
- limbs are strong, black;
- eyes large, shining;
- regardless of gender, the color is black, the birds differ in the color of the chest and abdomen: in males it is purple.
Qualitative characteristics:
- body weight is gained quite quickly: at 2 months – at least 1,5 kg;
- in adulthood, weight reaches 4 kg;
- sexual maturity is early;
- egg production – up to 130 pieces per year, the weight of each egg is about 95 grams;
- the survival rate of young animals is more than 95%;
- active behavior, high immunity.
In order not to make a mistake in choosing, you need to pay attention to the following nuances:
- are the ducklings mobile;
- whether they eat well;
- whether they look healthy enough on the outside.
Individuals of a drowsy, apathetic appearance with poor appetite, with pus or other contamination of the eyes, cesspools are rejected. The advantages of this breed include high productivity, good quality of meat products, undemanding feeding and care, rapid weight gain. There are also disadvantages, for example, a high percentage of non-breeding of ducklings – 45%.
Musk
. These birds are also known as Indo-ducks. External characteristics are as follows:
- elongated tail;
- limbs are short;
- wings are large, pressed to the body;
- wide body;
- various suits are allowed: white-black, brown, white, gray-smoky, variegation is rejected;
- the beak is light, crochet;
- instead of quacking, these ducks make a hissing sound.
Breed productivity:
- the weight of a two-month-old duckling is 4 kg, an adult bird is about 6 kg;
- tender fillet, not too fatty, very tasty, considered a dietary product;
- egg production – up to 100 pieces annually, egg weight – up to 70 g.
Among the advantages are:
- well-developed maternal instinct, ducks perfectly incubate even the eggs of other birds;
- peaceful character;
- activity, undemanding;
- do not need a reservoir;
- omnivorous.
Among the minuses of this breed, one can note the love of warmth: birds need insulated poultry houses.
Mullard
This hybrid is popular in many countries of the world, as a rule, these ducks are bred on poultry farms. External description:
- the body is strong, the muscles are well developed;
- the body is slightly extended;
- limbs are short;
- the beak shimmers red;
- original color: white with a black spot on the head.
Breed productivity:
- the maternal instinct is well developed, but the fertility is practically zero, these are one-year-old birds;
- weight of young animals – from 3 kg, adults – up to 7 kg;
- foie gras is prepared from the liver of this duck, its weight is 0,5 kg.
The advantages include the following features:
- the quality of meat and offal is very high, the taste is appreciated by gourmets;
- outwardly ducks look quite impressive;
- quickly gain weight;
- peaceful character;
- moderate appetite.
Among the minuses are the following points:
- females are sterile;
- care is quite painstaking, as the birds are dependent on the owner.
Rouen
French birds were bred in the XNUMXth century. External features:
- the body is elongated;
- the back is wide;
- the chest is sunken;
- the head is compact, in the form of an oval;
- neck of medium width;
- limbs are short, massive, painted orange;
- the beak can be yellowish, greenish, brown;
- brown eyes;
- powerful muscles;
- brown feathers, gray belly, greenish neck.
Productivity Features:
- prone to obesity, so proper nutrition is very important;
- weight at 2 months – from 3,5 to 5,5 kg, depending on gender and nutrition system;
- weight gain is rapid;
- due to fat content, they are badly fertilized;
- egg production – up to 90 pcs. per year, egg weight – up to 75 g.
Among the advantages of the breed are:
- good quality of eggs and excellent taste and nutritional qualities of meat;
- unpretentious in maintenance and care;
- ripen very quickly;
- omnivorous.
Cons of French ducks:
- the need to control nutrition due to obesity;
- noisy;
- the carcass does not look too beautiful due to the gray color of the skin.
Bashkir
. This type is very unpretentious, while the quality of the products is on top. In fact, the breed belongs to the universal type. External characteristics:
- the body is powerful, overall;
- the back is wide, the muscles are developed;
- flat head;
- concave beak;
- eyes orange, set wide apart;
- dark green feathers, white chest.
Productivity indicators:
- the meat is very tender and tasty, fatty;
- at 2 months, ducklings weigh more than 3,5 kg;
- meat yield from one carcass – more than 70%;
- high egg production for ducks – about 230 pieces per year, egg weight – more than 80 g;
- hatchability of eggs – 80%.
Among the advantages of the breed are noted:
- unpretentiousness, easy adaptability even to difficult conditions;
- easily tolerate cold;
- excellent quality of both meat and egg products;
- good immunity;
- fertility is high;
- The stock is well maintained.
The disadvantages of experts include the following nuances:
- this breed needs a pond for walking;
- the tighter the room, the slower the weight gain, you need space.
Gray Ukrainian
Bred in the Ukrainian Research Institute of Poultry, in modern breeding is one of the leaders. External signs:
- the trunk is of a wide type, the muscles are well developed;
- the body is powerful, the bones are fragile;
- feathers of a dense type, similar in color to the plumage of wild representatives or white, clayey.
Productivity Features:
- very hardy, easily tolerate frosts, unpretentious in content;
- young growth grows very quickly, gains weight well;
- at 2 months, the weight reaches 4 kg;
- annual egg production reaches 120 pieces, the egg has a weight of up to 90 grams;
- they develop well on free range and pasture, but cereals greatly speed up the process;
- special feeds and additives are not required;
- Heated houses are not needed, clean bedding on the floor is enough.
There are quite a few advantages:
- excellent productivity, high quality of meat and eggs;
- unpretentiousness to conditions;
- frost resistance;
- excellent immunity;
- mature very quickly and gain weight well;
- omnivorous;
- livestock safety is very good.
There are few shortcomings, but they are. Representatives of this breed are noisy, noisy and not too clean.
Moscow white
. This is perhaps one of the most popular breeds in Russia; it is bred both in poultry farms and in farmsteads. External characteristics:
- color creamy white;
- the body is wide, the muscles are well developed;
- pink beak.
Productivity indicators:
- the average weight of a mature duck is 4,5 kg;
- egg production – at least 125 eggs weighing up to 95 g;
- egg laying continues for many years;
- the meat is tender, soft, juicy and very tasty;
- sexual maturity is early;
- the safety of the livestock is almost one hundred percent;
- slaughter can be carried out after 2 months.
Breed advantages:
- frost resistance;
- excellent immune system;
- dishonesty in food;
- autonomy of birds.
Cons:
- ducks are noisy, noisy;
- are not cleanliness.
Blue Favorite
Quite a modern breed, bred in Russia. External characteristics:
- powerful physique, elongated torso;
- the chest is sunken;
- the neck is thin;
- beak orange, flat;
- colors are varied: brown, black, gray-smoky.
Productivity:
- universal breed;
- weight – from 3 to 5,5 kg, depending on gender and age;
- the meat is not too fatty;
- egg production is very good – up to 150 eggs annually weighing up to 85 g.
Advantages of birds of this breed:
- vitally active;
- omnivorous;
- undemanding in content;
- frost-resistant;
- well developed immunity;
- the percentage of livestock retention is high;
- quickly mature and gain weight.
Among the minuses, the lost incubation instinct is noted.
swedish blue
Bred in the XNUMXth century in Sweden. External signs:
- overall body with a flat chest;
- oval-shaped head, flat beak;
- the back is wide, the tail is small;
- feathers are black-gray with a blue tint.
Productivity:
- weight at 2 months – at least 3 kg;
- duck egg production – more than 150 pieces per year, egg weight – up to 80 grams;
- safety is high.
Pros:
- perfectly adapt to any conditions;
- tolerate cold well;
- omnivorous and non-capricious;
- productivity is excellent;
- maternal instinct is well developed;
- trustingly relate to the owners, not shy;
- survival rate is high;
- aesthetically attractive;
- fertility is satisfactory.
Poultry farmers also note some disadvantages of the breed:
- birds are gluttonous;
- do not differ in love for cleanliness;
- noisy, noisy.
Beijing
.Ancient Chinese breed, the most popular in the world. External signs:
- long body and wide chest;
- the neck is thick;
- paws are orange;
- white plumage.
Productivity:
- average weight – from 3,9 to 4,2 kg;
- egg production – up to 140 pieces, egg weight – up to 85 g.
Pros:
- universal breed;
- excellent immunity;
- unpretentiousness;
- omnivorous and independent birds, active.
Among the minuses – the lost instinct of incubation, loudness, voracity.
How to choose?
You need to choose ducks for home breeding very carefully, the success of fattening depends on it. Breeding hybrid breeds should be based on your own preferences. Experts recommend focusing on the following selection options:
- unpretentiousness to climatic and other conditions of detention;
- high percentage of viable individuals;
- good health and immunity;
- absence of defects in appearance, for example, crooked limbs, broken wings, other deformities;
- rate of weight gain;
- quality of meat, its nutritional value, taste, fat content;
- omnivorousness and the amount of feed required;
- early puberty, fertility;
- developed incubation instinct;
- percentage of hatching ducklings;
- livestock safety.
Basic growing rules
It is necessary to grow broiler ducks in different conditions, including in winter. Before purchasing ducks, you need to create the necessary minimum comfort for them. Poultry farmers are advised to take care of the following nuances:
- the house should be large, the humidity is moderate, ventilation is necessary;
- disinfection of the premises before settling is required;
- temperature regime – + 23-24 ° C;
- humidity – no more than 70%;
- daylight hours – at least 12 hours, so additional lighting will be a necessity;
- while the ducklings are small, it is better to use heating lamps around the clock;
- the floor needs straw or peat insulation.
In order for the livestock to develop well and not get sick, it is necessary to observe sanitary and hygienic standards and regularly clean the room, souring, rotting food should not be allowed, water must be changed regularly. Slaughter is carried out after the duckling reaches 2 months of age. Remember that during the molting period, the presentation of carcasses is not the most spectacular, in addition, they lose weight at this time. In addition to the standard poultry house, many farmers prefer free keeping of birds. This is only possible if any type of body of water is present. At the same time, poultry farmers argue that pasture cannot provide the required rate of weight gain for ducks.
In any case, first of all, you need to take into account the characteristics of the breed that you plan to breed. General recommendations for content may have some nuances for each of the varieties.
For information on how to properly care for meat duck breeds, see the following video.
