How to properly raise ducklings breeds of large ducks. Growing ducks for meat at home: feeding. Requirements for the premises

Among the species poultry duck is the most precocious, its young grow faster than chickens and goslings. Already a month after hatching, the ducks increase their weight by 15-20 times (up to 2 kg), depending on the breed. By this time, they can already be slaughtered for personal use, and for meat, for commercial sale, optimal age slaughter - 55 days, when the weight of the bird is maximum and is equal to the size of broiler chickens (4-5 kg).

Further maintenance of ducks becomes economically unprofitable, as the bird survives the first molt and loses valuable down, and body weight stops increasing.

For the growth of a new feather, the bird needs an increase in the diet. Therefore, the cost of feeding ducks increases almost three times. For this reason, in the future it is best to leave only the parent flock: laying ducks and 1-2 drakes of producers.

Features of growing ducks

Growing ducklings for meat is still preferable because the consumption per kilogram of weight is less than for chickens and geese, since in the presence of pasture and a reservoir, they find almost 50% of their food for themselves.

Of the special requirements that ducks need at home - any body of water. It can be a lake, a natural or artificial pool, even just a dug-in trough or an old bathtub.

Although, now the closed keeping of ducklings without walking is gaining popularity. To do this, special cages with mesh floors or aviaries with deep litter are built in the barn. AT summer time ducklings are kept on feedlots with shelter for the night and from bad weather. In this case, an intensive technology for fattening ducks of meat breeds is used, which makes it possible to obtain an elite bird of 5-6 kg in live weight by the 50th day. Such carcasses high price buying up restaurants High Quality breast and liver.

Brief overview of breeds

Not all breeds are suitable for growing ducklings for meat. The greatest increase in weight is given by white Moscow, Peking, Ukrainian ducks, as well as some crosses - ducklings old 53, mulard, medeo, black and white breast, Blagovarsky, super M4, agidel, cherry valley and Indian runners.

Muscovy ducks and mulards

Ducklings mulards and indouts differ from other breeds in that they do not have a voice - they can only hiss. Another advantage of this French cross is a quick weight gain: at two months, the bird's weight is always above 4 kg. Moulards are unpretentious, feel good on pasture, it is enough for them to build a small pool right in the courtyard.

Of the minuses, only one can be named - it is impossible to breed mulards on their own (they are self-infertile), hatching eggs or day old ducklings must be bought in nurseries, and their price is quite high. The cost of a mulard egg is from 50 rubles, a duckling is over 200 rubles.

Peking ducks

The breed, bred more than 200 years ago in China, was improved in the USA and received the name Cross Star 53. Ducklings gain weight faster than other broiler breeds - by day 50, the carcass weighs up to 4 kg, about 30% of them are dietary brisket.

White Moscow ducks

The breed was bred on the basis of the Beijing breed, the weight of the bird for slaughter reaches 3.5 kg of very valuable, dietary meat. In addition, laying hens can produce up to 150 eggs per year. They are the most delicious among ducks.

Broilers Agidel

Two new, very promising crosses of domestic selection - Agidel 34 and Agidel 345, have already won over many farmers and private traders. Duck meat is lean, the carcass reaches 3 kg of weight, a laying hen produces up to 120 dietary eggs per year. The ducks of this cross are excellent mother hens, they can breed 2 times a year, the hatchability of chicks is almost 60%, which is an excellent indicator for ducks. The bird is completely unpretentious, adapted to our climatic conditions. A big plus is that this cross is not focused on predominant feeding with compound feeds, like foreign breeds. Already from 3 weeks they can be transferred to whole grains.

Duckling care

The easiest way to grow with a hen. But most breeds meat ducks do not sit well on eggs, so incubation or the acquisition of day old chicks is more often used. Regardless of the breeding method, the feeding period is divided into two stages: up to 30 days and up to 50-60 (before slaughter). And since the growth rate of ducklings is very high, there should be no errors in care - this will lead to weight loss or diseases.

Cultivation of young ducks up to 30 days

From the day of hatching until 10 days old, ducklings should only be kept in brooders or multi-tiered cages in a heated room. And further, at least up to 20-25 days they should sleep in a warm place.

Minimum box dimensions:

• width and length 65x65 cm;
• height 45 cm.

The following indicators testify to the health of the chicks:

• mobility and energy;
• healed umbilical cord;
• soft small belly;
• even smooth fluff;
• fast response to sound;
• a good appetite.

The first feeding must be done no later than the first 18-24 hours of life. The first time to feed ducklings is to give a hard-boiled egg, and then cook wet mash with the addition of cereals and fresh herbs. And if you are going to feed the bird with ready-made feed, then you can immediately take a complete starter feed.

Table. Feeding rates and weight of ducklings - average indicators

The diet for the first month should include the following components:

• wholemeal flour and small cereals from 3-5 grains - 30-40%;
• bran - at least 10% by weight;
• crushed green vitamin feed (clover, nettle, alfalfa) - 30-35%;
• hay flour - 5%;
• ground chalk or shells - up to 1%;
• grated carrots - 3-5%;
• beer (or baker's) yeast - 3-5%;
• up to 1.5% fish oil.

Such a diet should be followed up to 10 days, then the amount of green fodder can be increased up to 40%. And from day 16, ducklings can be transferred to adult duck food, in which the corn content can reach half the amount of grain. It is strongly not recommended to give bread to ducklings and adult ducks - they get bloating and indigestion from this, which inhibits weight gain.

The first 3 days you need to feed ducklings 5-6 a day, then they should have constant access to food and they themselves will regulate the number of feedings.

Chicks should have fresh water at all times. The first days of the drinker should be such that the ducklings reach the bottom with a key, otherwise they may choke. For the first week, it is recommended to add a pinch of sugar to the water - this will increase the vitality of the chicks.

The fact that ducks are water birds does not mean that they will immediately swim - this is what their mother duck teaches them. And if it is not, then you can take on this role. To do this, you need to make a pool next to a brooder from a shallow basin and let the ducklings swim several times a day. They should not be left alone, as they may drown. It is necessary to pour water into the pool at about 28-30 degrees, run the chicks for a few minutes, then take them out, wipe them with a towel and send them to the brooder again. The fact is that down to 9 weeks the ducklings get wet and if they are left wet, they can catch a cold.

In order for the chicks to grow strong and healthy, they should be given prophylactic drugs and vitamins. Schedule and names of drugs - in the table:

Growing ducklings up to 60 days

At the second stage, the chicks can be transferred to adult content. In winter, it is better to do this from 30, and in summer it is possible from 20 days. Winter maintenance is mandatory in a warm and heated room. In summer, you can transfer ducklings to pens with canopies.

Important point! Ducklings are very vulnerable to predators. Enclosures must be carefully strengthened, including from cats and dogs, and from above - from birds of prey, which can easily catch them.

Even crows prey on small ducklings. During the day, chicks can be let out for walks, even taken to a pond (preferably under supervision). Often strange old ducks try to attack the young and can injure the chicks.

The diet for ducklings of the second month of life is presented in the table. There should always be enough water near the food - the chicks constantly drink food to swallow it. Without water, they can even choke.

Ducklings should not be given:

• bread;
• dairy products (except cottage cheese);
• flour;
• boiled cereals (except oatmeal);
• berries (strawberries, raspberries, any others);
• grape;
• silage;
• fresh nettle (it must be dried or doused with boiling water);
• cabbage;
• sunflower seeds;
• chicken feed;
• maple leaves (causes intestinal blockage and death of chicks).

You can feed corn, peas, legumes, oats, cake, meal, wheat, rye, barley, tomatoes, carrots, grass, give mineral supplements (chalk, shell rock, bone meal, coarse sand, crushed shells). Vegetables must be crushed and it is best to fill with water. The bird also loves aquatic vegetation, insects and worms. Small fish can only be given after the ducklings have swum in open water.

Closer to spring, the issue of breeding ducks at home for beginners will be relevant. This bird is not picky, grows quickly and does not require special conditions for keeping. It is easy to grow in the country. In a couple of months, you can provide yourself with meat for a whole year.

In addition, you can get not only meat from a duck, if you try you can get eggs from them, and duck feathers and down are well valued, you can make pillows and blankets from them yourself or rent them to resellers.

Whatever one may say, the bird is profitable, besides, it is not picky in food, although it eats a lot (almost always), but everything is in a row. It is not difficult to grow such a bird, you just need to take into account its features and requirements for keeping conditions.

Breeding ducks at home, where to start?

It’s always a little scary to start someone up for the first time, I want to take everything into account, not to miss a single one. important detail It's not at all clear which is more important. And in the end it always turns out that the most important thing was still missed. It happens to all beginners, it happened to me too. This is because the unknown is the unknown. The main thing here is not to panic.

Site preparation

Yes, that's where you need to start. Breeding any living creature, no matter who you bring home, needs a specially prepared place. And sometimes it happens, they brought chickens, ducklings, and someone else, and they don’t know where to put them, so the poor sit in a cramped box for the first days. And the first days for day old babies are the most important and at this time the biggest case occurs due to improper maintenance.

For the first time, a regular box will be enough for ducklings. Enough for 20 pieces. square meter area, for a week of age. Then, as it grows, the area will need to be increased. I do not recommend immediately using spacious pens or rooms, in such they will be colder and the bird will grow more slowly.

For the warm season, they will need to prepare a paddock. I have built small house and several meters around it are fenced off with an ordinary mesh netting. Such a building should be done on sunny place and that there are no drafts. From above it is necessary to stretch the fishing net, because the magpies and neighboring cats will immediately smell the prey and few will be left of the brood.

The box for day old ducklings can be made of cardboard, plastic or plywood. If the box is tall, there should be air holes. You can make an ordinary fence from the boards, only so that there are no gaps, the kids can find them and go for a walk.

I always cover the bottom polyethylene film or oilcloth, and on top I pour sawdust, dust from hay, in a layer of three cm, so that the little fluffies are warm. It’s so convenient to clean the chicks, rolled up the bedding and shook it out, then the oilcloth is covered again and a layer of sawdust is poured again. It is very important to change them at least once a day, then the ducklings will be dry and there will be no unpleasant odor.

What else needs to be prepared immediately, before buying the chicks, is a lamp that will heat and illuminate the babies, a thermometer, a drinking bowl, convenient, designed so that there is access for everyone and a feeder. You can make your own feeder out of a sheet of stainless steel, cut out a long rectangle and bend it into a chute so that the ducklings can't climb into it and trample down the food.

Breed selection

Yes, when everything is ready for the arrival of new pets, decide on the breed. For beginners, it is best to start someone simpler, without any special pretensions. Plus, keep in mind why you need all this farming, just for meat or to also rush well.

You can get an ordinary mallard, they are unpretentious and grow quickly, rush well. Of the domestic meats, I like Peking ducks the most. Just do not confuse, Peking duck and Peking duck are two different things. They are a little more demanding on the content, but in two months you will be roasting duck with apples. It is during this time that they grow up to 3 kg.

Buying ducklings, how to choose the right one

And now the day has come when you go for ducklings. Choose a reliable seller, preferably a poultry farm, which is located nearby in your area.

Think about how you will carry the young, especially if the road is long. Toddlers do not like heat and crowding and may die on the road. You need to take a box with bedding with you so that it opens, just in case, a drinking bowl and clean water. If you drive for several hours, ducklings on the road will need to be watered.

Choosing kids is simple, there are several criteria:

• Put food in your hand and bring it to the ducklings, even if they just ate, they will still pounce on food. This is a sign of health and good appetite.
• Pay attention to the eyes, they should shine, no clouding and dragging.
• Check the plumage, or rather the presence of fluff, it should be uniform, if it is absent or small on the stomach, it is better not to take such a duck.
• Buttocks are clean! No diarrhea.
• The paws should be even without defects, it often happens that one paw is bent inward, although the duckling is completely healthy in appearance. It will be more difficult for him to move further and he will lag behind in growth. Clubfoot is welcome, this is their normal "gait".
• Healthy ducklings are mobile and noisy, very curious. if you pick him up, he will try to explore you all and look into all your pockets.
• Noisiness does not apply to nutmeg ducks, they are nimble, but silent.

In general, three things are especially important for all little chicks:

1. Balanced feed in sufficient quantity
2. Warmly

Yes, despite the fact that ducklings are from the waterfowl family, dampness during maintenance can kill them.

For little ducklings, it is important to keep the litter clean and fresh air. The room where they are located must be ventilated, but not drafty.

Feeders should be located conveniently so that everyone can eat food at the same time. Access to water should also be free. It is also important to ensure that there is always water, they manage to spit it out very quickly.

Ducklings are as thermophilic as small ones. In the first week, they need to maintain a temperature of 30 degrees, no less, but no more. Then every week the temperature should be reduced by two degrees, bringing it to 20.

By the way, do not keep ducklings, even already grown ones, together with adult ducks. They will be driven away from food and water and will take longer to grow. If only they are with mother duck.

About the reservoir. some breeds, for example, nutmeg ducks, no matter whether he is or not. If there is a safe reservoir nearby, it’s a sin not to use it, ducks grow faster on the water. but they need to be let into the water only when they completely change the fluff to the feather. the fluff quickly gets wet and the ducklings get hypothermia, but the instinct for them is stronger and they rush as fast as they see any puddle.

Feeding little ducklings

From the first day, babies are fed wet food. It can be a cereal mash, preferably slightly cooked, or a starter feed for young animals.

In the first days, I cook corn grits, chopped, millet, artek. You can alternate grains. Be sure from the first days of life I give wet bran and boiled eggs, finely chopped. A week later, I begin to introduce greens and peas soaked and twisted in a meat grinder - this good source vegetable protein, ducklings quickly rise on it.

From the third week, yeast can be introduced into the diet, I give the usual fresh raw for baking. The norm per day should be no more than 3%. They are necessary for the bird to grow and it has been observed that the bird that receives the yeast does not fall to its feet.

In general, from the third week, vegetables should also be in the diet, they need to be finely chopped or rubbed. Ducklings love young nettles and zucchini. I rub zucchini on a coarse grater and mix it with chopped, add fish oil there. according to the instructions, cottage cheese or eggs.

According to the daily rate, it turns out:

• grain 45%
• protein food 15%
• greens and vegetables 20%
• food additives 25%

This proportion of the diet should be throughout the entire period of growth of ducks. The amount of grain will need to be increased in order for growth to be faster.

Prevention and treatment of diseases

Ducks are quite resistant to disease if kept properly, but some precautions are still needed for prevention. From a week of age, antibiotics should be given to the water, twice a week is enough, it can be grizin, a wide spectrum of action.

Also, for good development, I definitely add fish oil to my food every day. I finish giving a month before the bird is removed for meat, so that there is no smell later.

Usually, with a weight of 3 kg, the bird needs to be removed for meat, keeping them longer is not cost-effective. It happens that ducks suddenly start to get sick, rather this is due to unsanitary conditions of detention, then it makes sense to drink them with antibiotics. But then it will take another month not to inject them, so that all the medicines come out.

If you decide to create home-based business on ducks, keep in mind that it makes sense to start with large volumes, it is not profitable to keep the bird in small batches.

There are some peculiarities in the process of their cultivation, which must be taken into account when breeding birds.

For the normal growth of a bird, it is necessary to provide the bird with not only the correct diet and diet, but also good conditions content. In the first 3 weeks of life, ducklings are especially sensitive to the temperature of the room in which they are kept.

Optimum temperature rooms in the first weeks of life of ducklings:

• In the first week - 27-30°C;
• In the second week - 23-26°C;
• In the third week - 19-22°C.