Ducks are one of the most popular and widespread poultry kept by many farmers. Breeding these individuals can not be called troublesome and costly. However, this does not mean that little ducklings do not need proper care and good conditions. Today we will understand in detail how to choose ducklings and how to care for them.
Features
Growing ducks at home is a profitable and cost-effective business. Of course, good results can be achieved only if these birds were provided with competent care, which, by the way, cannot be called too difficult and expensive. Healthy and properly fed ducks already at the age of 2 months can be sent for slaughter, since at this age they are already able to reach a suitable weight for this. To do this, it is necessary to choose precisely early maturing birds and feed them well.
Ducklings, like adults, do not need very complex care. If you feed them plenty of suitable food, they get fat surprisingly quickly. A number of exceptions include only representatives of the mulard breed, as well as musky ducks. The blue favorites are also not the fastest accumulating fat. That is why these birds give very lean and very tender meat.
There are many different breeds of ducks. When picking up ducklings, for example, in the market, you need to ask what breed they belong to. Without this knowledge, it is unlikely that it will be possible to select suitable feed for young animals and create ideal conditions for keeping.
As a rule, a brood of young ducklings is born towards the end of the summer season. Until winter, they grow stronger and gain strength. At this point, their level of endurance also increases significantly. At home, only laying hens are engaged in raising young animals. Of course, the person is responsible for food. Healthy ducklings look proportional. In addition, they behave quite actively and are highly mobile. If the duckling is lethargic, this is a bad sign. Babies usually stay in a group with their relatives, and if they are left alone, they can start screaming loudly to attract attention. The voice of the chicks is quite sonorous, does not have noticeable hoarseness. If you give a chick food, he is likely to violently pounce on her and start eating.
Healthy chicks are different in that they always have clean and shiny eyes. The beak must be dry. The color of the beak in the normal state is pink or dark. The color of the beak should be uniform, without spots and inclusions. As for the paws of the chicks, they should not be heavily soiled or sticky. In addition, the paws of healthy ducklings are always even and neat, without damage or noticeable curvature.
A distinctive feature of these feathered babies is their neat fluff. It must be shiny, clean and dry. Most often its color is yellow. With such fluff, the chicks look very cute and stand out from the general mass of adult, “more serious” birds in the house. If you turn over a healthy duckling, then he may begin to actively resist, since such a position will be very uncomfortable for him. The belly of the chicks is always soft, and the navel is closed. Seals on the tummy of healthy individuals are not observed.
In healthy individuals, the tail and anus will always be clean and completely dry. If the duckling has certain defects (this may be a crooked beak, sticky fluff, a curved neck or deformed joints), then you do not need to buy them. Yes, and too small sizes of chicks should be suspicious. Such individuals will either die soon or will lag behind in growth very much – it will be unprofitable to keep them.
Overview of the best breeds
As mentioned above, there are a lot of different duck breeds. Representatives of each of them have their own distinctive features and characteristics of behavior / disposition. The taste of meat in different breeds can also vary significantly. Let’s take a closer look at the most popular types of ducks.
Beijing
Representatives of this breed are related to the demanded meat category. These birds got their name due to the area in which they were bred. Received this breed almost 300 years ago. These birds look interesting and attractive. They move, slightly waddling, have a snow-white color and a reddish-yellow beak. However, do not trust her cute appearance – this poultry is very massive and solid. Her body is slightly raised, the back and breast of the Peking duck are quite wide. The egg production of these individuals is average and is approximately 80-120 eggs.
Representatives of this widespread and well-known breed are distinguished by their excellent-tasting meat. They are usually sent for slaughter before the period in which the molt falls. After that, their growth noticeably slows down, but feed consumption only increases. They also show the beginnings of new feathers, which will subsequently be impossible to remove, and this will adversely affect the quality of the final meat product. These features you need to know if you plan to purchase Peking ducks.
The main positive qualities of the described poultry are that their chicks grow quickly and are fed easily, rapidly gaining the necessary weight. They are not afraid of low temperatures during the winter seasons, since their metabolism is intense, and their body temperature always remains high at 42,2 degrees. Representatives of this breed have a shortened intestine, which also makes it possible for young animals to gain weight in the shortest time intervals.
In food, Peking ducks do not require much. They can eat treats of both plant and animal origin. However, these domestic birds are great lovers of shouting loudly because of their excessive nervous excitability. In order not to disturb these individuals, it is required to contact them only in a calm environment. You should not frighten adults or young animals, otherwise there will be a lot of noise.
Gray Ukrainian
This is a special breeding breed. She was bred by crossing domestic and wild birds. These individuals are distinguished by their impressive weight, dense plumage and strong body. Already at the age of 3 months, representatives of this widespread breed can reach a weight of 3 kg. If we are talking about a drake, then it can even weigh about 4 kg.
Birds of this breed are not capricious. They do not need special and expensive care. Young individuals perfectly gain the desired weight on compound feed and on various aquatic plants.
The gray Ukrainian duck is a bird that is adapted to winter temperatures and does not suffer from them. Her wintering may well take place in a poultry house where heating is not provided. Young animals can go for walks in the winter season, but at the same time they will still continue to gain weight, since such conditions are not terrible for these birds. However, these poultry still need to be protected from drafts, otherwise their health may be undermined.
White Moscow
This is another well-established breed that is well-distributed and seen frequently. These individuals are in many ways reminiscent of the Beijing breed. Their color is snow-white, the body is usually quite massive. Characteristic features of white Moscow ducks are a massive chest, a flexible neck, a not very large head and a pink-red beak..Representatives of this breed do not require the selection of special food. They will have enough of the usual food, consisting of cereals. As for additional feeds, you won’t need to look for them, because these birds can find them on their own, without human help. In most cases, the white Moscow duck eats grass or vegetation that is present in the gardens. Special care for these birds is also not required. They can easily endure severe frosts, as they have excellent immunity. Ducklings of this breed quickly gain weight and also show themselves quite unpretentious.
Rouen
This sought-after breed comes from distant France. It was bred by selecting and domesticating wild ducks according to their live weight. Using this method, French experts planned to breed a breed that is characterized by high productivity and impressive body weight. In the end, they achieved their goal. Rouen ducks have dark and high quality meat. It is both very tasty and very tender, for which many gourmets love it. These individuals are not involved in industrial poultry farming, because their carcasses, going to the market, do not look very beautiful. The lack of proper presentation does not attract buyers. Since representatives of this breed come from wild birds, they have a large number of common features. These include the corresponding color of feathers, brown chest, green-yellow beak. The main disadvantage of the described breed is that its breeding is not an easy process. These birds are prone to obesity. Breeding them is desirable for a person who has some experience in poultry farming. It is obesity that can seriously impede the normal reproduction of these individuals. Getting healthy ducklings in such conditions can be difficult.
black white breasted
The young growth of the described breed boasts a fairly quick weight gain. Females are able to reach a weight of up to 3,5 kg, and drakes – up to 4 kg. By the age of 2 months, ducklings of this variety are able to gain weight of 1,6 kg, and by the age of three months – 2,5 kg. The level of egg production of this breed is average – about 130 eggs. Black white-breasted ducks are fattened without problems and in a short time. In addition, they are fast. That is why poultry breeders so often strive to keep ducklings of this breed in their household. The meat of these individuals is characterized by good taste, which makes black white-breasted birds even more valuable. However, it must be borne in mind that their carcasses are more fatty, especially in comparison with other similar breeds.
If we consider all the characteristics of black white-breasted ducks, then we can conclude that they have no serious shortcomings, which is why they are wildly popular among modern farmers.
Musk
Otherwise, such ducks are called Indians. They are often confused with turkeys, but in fact they are completely different breeds of birds. Indo-ducks are not at all like simple river ducks. Their appearance greatly distinguishes them from their counterparts. The first thing that people usually pay attention to is the beak of musky individuals. It is quite narrow, and closer to the tip it narrows even more noticeably. Outwardly, it is very similar to a crochet hook. The color of the beak is usually light, close to flesh. The plumage of these representatives of the breed can be very different. There are white, and black and white, and brown, and blue individuals. They have a wide chest and back.
Neither adults nor young Musk breeds require complex care. They are distinguished by strong immunity and calm disposition. These birds usually do not make extra noise, for which many poultry farmers love them. However, it should be borne in mind that these individuals are not great lovers of companies, although they behave quietly. It is better not to leave these birds without reservoirs. The meat of musky ducks has good taste characteristics. It is not greasy, but it tastes good and is considered dietary. This is another reason why Muscovy ducklings are sought after for sale by many poultry farmers.
The mules
Mulards are called sterile hybrids of musky and in most cases Peking ducks. These birds are considered single-season. Simply put, poultry farmers keep them with such a plan – they buy chicks, then grow them and eat them. Even if the female of this breed begins to lay eggs, they will be infertile in 100% of cases. Despite the futility, mulards are very popular and in demand.because they adopted all the best qualities of their parents. As a rule, these birds are grown in summer cottages in summer seasons in order to get good meat by autumn.
Young mulard is rapidly gaining the desired weight. Late puberty, as in the case of Muscovy ducks, they do not. Moulards also grow faster, and their meat is more valuable. In addition, they are less voracious.
There are still a lot of different breeds of domestic ducks, the young of which can be found on sale. When choosing healthy ducklings, it is necessary to take into account the breed of which they are representatives. Only under this condition will it be possible to make some plans for ducklings and expect some results from them.
How to choose?
Ducklings must be chosen very carefully if you want to raise healthy and productive poultry. It is necessary first of all to pay attention to the following features of the behavior and appearance of birds. Here are the most significant of them.
- Pay attention to the mobility of birds. They must be nimble and active. In addition, ducklings must stand firmly on their paws, actively respond to third-party sounds and noises, and have a good pecking reflex.
- The structure of the chicks must necessarily be quite proportional. The beak must have the correct structure, without deformation and damage.
- The eyes of the young are usually round, shiny and bulging. Cloudy eyes with discharge can be a sign of some bird diseases.
- If you carefully feel the body of the chicks, it will be dense.
- The back of ducklings should be flat, moderately long and wide.
- The sternum in healthy individuals is always elastic.
- You can also gently feel the belly of the bird. In a healthy chick, it will be soft and tucked up. There should not be any seals or depressions in any case.
- Metatarsus should be straight, strong and pigmented.
- The wings of the chicks are most often pressed to the body. They must also be strong and healthy, without damage or structural defects.
- The fluff must be clean and dry. It is evenly distributed over the body of healthy birds, is silky to the touch and very smooth.
- The umbilical ring must be tightly closed. Don’t forget to pay attention to this.
- The cloaca should be clean and pink.
You should be aware not only of how healthy birds look, but also what signs may indicate that the duckling is sick with something. Let’s deal with them in detail.
- A sick chick will move little, practically not react to any external stimuli, or react very weakly.
- An unhealthy feathered bird will not be able to stand on its paws normally, and its metatarsus will be thin.
- Wings in diseased ducklings are not fully developed, too short or pendulous.
- Take a closer look at the eyes of the selected individuals. If they turned out to be cloudy, sunken and half-closed, then you should not buy young animals.
- A tummy that is inflated due to oversaturation with residual yolk can also talk about diseases of ducklings. The abdomen should not be saggy, loose, tucked in or compacted.
- If the umbilical ring is inflamed and not closed, then this will also indicate feathered diseases.
- The body should not be loose.
- Litter sticking to the anus is a bad sign. They can also be seen on the tail and legs.
- Do not take ducklings with sparse plumage, which does not completely cover their entire body.
Juveniles, related to substandard, are usually considered individuals with certain defects, which are an indisputable reason for their destruction. For example, these can be serious deformities of the head of the chicks, cerebral hernias, underdeveloped eyes (or their absence at all), a crooked beak, an unhealed navel, omphalitis, and paralysis. When choosing ducklings, you should always be very careful. If something confused you or raises suspicions, then it is better not to take the young, even if the seller strongly persuades you to make a purchase. It is better to look for a bird in another place and from another seller. Do not save on buying such birds – you can lose more.
Growing conditions
Ducklings can be easily raised at home. Moreover, such a task will be within the power of both experienced poultry farmers and novice farmers. Caring for young birds is not difficult. The main thing is to take into account some of the requirements for the conditions of their content. Daytime ducklings will need care. First, they need to provide good heating, especially in the early days. To do this, it is permissible to put the chicks in a small box or cardboard box, and fix the lamp on top.
4 days after the chicks have hatched, they become stronger and can already be transferred to the poultry house. It is advisable to separate your territory for them so that you can maintain the optimum temperature for them and the level of lighting. In the poultry house, it must be warm enough and always dry – in no case should there be dampness. It is necessary to use only clean bedding (mesh material is placed on the floor in poultry farms). Make sure that drafts do not “walk” in the barn.
For daytime brood placement on the floor is acceptable, but a cage is also suitable. The landing density should be 20 units per 1 sq. m floor. When the chicks reach 20 days of age, the density will need to be reduced to 10 units. It is desirable to maintain a temperature of +20 degrees. It will need to be changed every 5 days in the direction of decreasing. To do this, it is advisable to use a special brooder (you can do it yourself, having prepared the necessary drawings of the right sizes in advance). Pick the right lighting. During the first week, week-old chicks should live in a house with approximately 20 hours of daylight. In the future, this period is reduced by one hour weekly.
Keep the bedding clean. Even if the ducklings are very viable and develop well, they will need to be raised in a clean environment. Otherwise, they may suffer due to various diseases.
What to feed?
Ducklings must be fed according to all the rules. Up to 10-15 days of age, chicks should be fed about 5-8 times a day. Between meals you need to make the same pauses. After 15 days, 4-6 times a day is enough. Diurnal birds should be fed with nutritious feed. Newborn birds eat well wet and crumbly mash made with water or milk. Babies will start their meals indoors only, but when the outside temperature reaches 15-18 degrees, they will be able to eat outside. Chicks should always have clean and fresh water (you can put nipple drinkers). It is desirable to add vitamin complexes to it so that the birds grow faster. In the second week, chicks can be given:
- millet;
- corn;
- crusher or mixer.
You can add some feed.
At 20-25 days, the chicks are transferred from a warm space to a common area with the rest of the ducks. They should be grown on water paddocks. Suitable ponds with vegetation. Over time, coastal feeding is reduced. Ducks are grown up to about 4-6 months, and then, when frost occurs, they are sent for slaughter.
Breeding
Ducks of different breeds can be bred both for breeding and for meat. Consider how they are displayed correctly.
per tribe
Healthy young individuals are used for breeding this type. It is advisable to leave those that hatched in April. They will have time to fully get stronger by the winter and will easily endure the effects of low temperatures. On the tribe it is necessary to select chicks that do not have any defects. It is ideal to cull at the age of 3 days after hatching. Ducklings for the tribe must be kept in accordance with general standards.
For meat
Ducks very quickly gain impressive weight, which is suitable for slaughter. This usually takes about 2-3 months. To fatten ducks, it is necessary to provide them with proper nutrition and good living conditions. Small chicks at 3 weeks of age are removed to a separate corral and the daylight hours are artificially extended. They are fattened with succulent and grain feed, give root crops, grass and vegetation from reservoirs. Be sure to add mineral supplements to the feed.
Few people know that duck eggs can be placed not only under ducks, but also chickens and even turkeys. These birds often mistake them for their own. A duck usually does not sit on other people’s eggs for hatching. You can use any bird as a hen. Of course, the duck will be the best option. As a rule, no more than 15 eggs are laid under the duck if it is planned to get a brood in the summer season. 12 pieces are placed if the brood is planned for the spring. This is due to the temperature regimes that will take place during certain periods. Of course, you can put more testicles under the turkey, because this bird itself has more impressive dimensions.
For a hen, you need to prepare a good nest. It is made from hay or straw in the form of a wreath. This must be done so that the eggs do not roll on different sides. All other components needed to make a nest, the mother hen will bring herself. On the lower part of the nest, if it lies on the floor, sawdust and chaff are usually laid. The first brood can be obtained already on the 27th day from the beginning of the incubation of the testicles by the duck. After a couple of days, all the chicks should hatch. So that the duck does not accidentally crush them, it is advisable to immediately put them in a separate box or box with straw lined at the bottom and floor.
For information on how to properly care for ducklings, see the following video.
