3.3 Duck Production

Question 1

Introduction

• economically important species
• second to _ as source of income, locally
  
  • _ (70%) and _ (30%) farms

Answer 1

• 2nd to chicken
  
  • backyard (70%) and commercial (30%) farms

Question 2

Rearing ducks
- lay more eggs (_ - _ eggs/year)
- natural mating season: _ - _
- ducklings grow faster
- cannot fly well
- social creatures

Answer 2

• 100-300 eggs/year
• March-June

Question 3

General Traits of Layer Ducks

7 SEHPLAH

Answer 3

1. Small body: 1.3-1.5 kg at 5 months
2. Efficient egg converter: 20-40 g/day/head
3. High egg producer: >200 eggs/year/head
4. Produces big egg: 65-75 g
5. Lay eggs for >10 months
6. Acclimatize to local condition
7. Healthy

Question 4

General Requirements
For small or backyard flock

SRFWD

Answer 4

Space - 3-5 sq ft/bird
Run space - 15 sq ft/bird
Feeds - 4-6 ounces/day
Water - 4 cups/day
Daylight for layers - 4-6 hours

Question 5

Needs to be secure
No need for perches
Provide water for swimming
Need for nesting place

Answer 5

Housing

Question 6

Very good foragers
Greens, bugs, commercial pellets

Answer 6

Food

Question 7

More quiet
More messy (“fowl”)
Does not yard scratch
Less agressive pecking order

Answer 7

Behavior

Question 8

Comparison (Duck vs Chicken)

Start of lay (age)
Productive lifespan
Parasites and disease resistance
Heat tolerance
Water needs
Cold tolerance
Wet tolerance
Feed to egg ratio
Forgeable diet
Mortality

Answer 8

Start of lay (age) - 16-24 wks, 18-24 wks
Productive lifespan - 2-3 years, 1-2 years
Parasites and disease resistance - excellent, fair
Heat tolerance - good, good
Water needs - high, low
Cold tolerance - good, fair
Wet tolerance - excellent, poor
Feed to egg ratio - 1.12 kg/egg, 0.9 kg/egg
Forgeable diet - 10-25%, 5-15%
Mortality - 0-3% per year, 5-25% per year

Question 9

Summary

Ducks…
ghmc

Answer 9

• are good sources egg and meat
• are hardier
• can make good pets
• may compliment other industries