Feeding and nutrition of Breeding ducks (duckling breeders and laying ducks)

Question 1

Duckling breeders: length and process of the rearing period

Answer 1

Fore-rearing: start in june and lasts for 18 days

Post rearing: from 18 days until 25 wks (at which point the bird should be 4kg). In this period at 7 wks and wight of 3-3.2kg selection takes place.

At 25 wks and 4kg: housing

At 28 wks: at the end of Jan and the bird has reached sexual maturity.

Question 2

Rearing period: different diets for the different time periods

Answer 2

0-7 wks: Treated as roasting ducks- same for the grower, starter and finisher, total of 49 days

8-25 wks:

1. Rearer diet: pellets
2. Decr the nutrient density
3. 150-180g a day
4. target weight gain: 600-800g

Wk 26

1. Pellets ad lib (layer diet needs to be high in protein)
2. Access to natural light

Question 3

Layers

Answer 3

At 28 wks they lay for 7 mnths- which takes them into Aug/Sept

130-150 eggs produces

Weigh: 75-80g

At end of the laying period:

1. Slaughter after fattening
2. 2nd laying period but there will be a 10% decr in egg prod

Question 4

Nutrient content of rearer vs layer

Answer 4

CP %: 14.5 vs 17

ME (MJ/kg): 11 vs 12

Ca: 8 vs 29

* they are all more in the layer