Duck Rearing Techniques for Autumn and Winter
The duck rearing techniques for autumn and winter are provided by 5830 Agricultural URL Navigation:
1. Large difficulty in preventing dampness. Young ducks drink a lot of water, their feces are watery, and poor ventilation easily makes the duck house damp. A damp environment causes young ducks to consume more heat energy, and pathogens survive longer in such an environment, increasing the chances of infection and illness for the young ducks, which is not conducive to their growth. Therefore, it is particularly important to maintain a dry and comfortable environment during the rearing period.
2. Longer brooding period. The indoor temperature needs to be kept at 32°C when introducing young ducks, decreasing by 0.5-1°C daily until they no longer need additional heating, which takes a relatively long time.
3. Accumulation of feces on the exercise field. In winter, ducks rest more on the exercise field. Therefore, there is relatively more feces on the field, and with lower temperatures, pathogens survive longer. The ammonia gas emitted from the feces is also more concentrated, easily affecting the growth and health of the flock. Thus, cleaning should be done frequently in winter and spring, with regular disinfection.
4. Difficulties in maintaining warmth during brooding. It is relatively difficult to keep the brooding room at 32°C within the first 1-2 days after introducing young ducks in the cold winter and spring seasons. During the middle brooding period, the temperature should still be maintained at 18-25°C. If the temperature is insufficient or there is a draft, young ducks can easily catch a cold. They will only develop better cold resistance once their primary feathers have fully grown.
Key Points for Duck Rearing in Autumn and Winter
1. Use online brooding. Online brooding is easier to clean, ensures feed and water hygiene, and reduces the chance of ducks coming into contact with feces. Therefore, ducks are less likely to get sick. After raising the young ducks online for 5-7 days and ensuring they are strong, they can then be placed on the ground for further rearing.
2. Pass through the brooding stage successfully. The brooding period in winter is longer, especially focusing on managing the young ducks aged 1-7 days. There should be ample brooding space, with thicker bedding material, about 20 ducks per square meter, allowing young ducks more room to move. Preheat the room before introducing the ducks, keeping it at 32°C initially, then lowering it by about 1°C every two days until they no longer need additional heating. Temperature control should ensure that the ducks do not huddle together. Suitable temperatures promote good appetite, uniform growth, and rapid weight gain. Duck handlers need to frequently observe the flock's situation, dispersing any huddled ducks every 20-30 minutes. Ventilation should be noted, with no irritating odors indoors to prevent carbon monoxide and ammonia poisoning. On sunny days, drive the ducks to a sheltered area for grazing or sunbathing. Timely select smaller and weaker ducks to form another group for enhanced feeding to improve survival rates and uniformity.
3. Select good ducklings. Choose those that hatched at the same time, with large and spirited eyes, strong bodies, flexible movements, shiny feathers, soft abdomens, good absorption of yolk sacs, well-healed navels, plump foot webs, strong struggling when touched, warm feet, loud calls, strong and clean cloacal contractions. Weak ducklings often suffocate under piles during brooding.
4. Make full use of sunlight. In winter, make full use of sunlight. Winter sunlight increases body temperature, saves energy, improves appetite, kills pathogens, and enhances disease resistance. Ideally, utilize sheltered areas for grazing or sunbathing, reducing leg bruising in young ducks, improving flock hygiene, and aiding weight gain.
5. Pay attention to feeding hygiene. Feed one hour after drinking water, allowing free access to food afterward. Avoid sudden changes in feed. Feed at set times, avoid moldy feed, control free feeding amounts, and regularly remove moldy feed from corners and bottoms of feed troughs (especially during prolonged rainy weather).
6. Promptly eliminate worthless sick, weak, or disabled individuals, ensuring proper disposal through harmless methods.
7. Provide clean drinking water. Ducks should drink water 24-26 hours after hatching, preferably deep well water or warm tap water. Medication can be added to the water to prevent disease. When using ground-level rearing, flowing water is best for ducklings.
8. Promptly return lost ducks to ensure each duck has timely access to feed.
9. Strengthen management and prevent stress. Always remember to create a stable transition environment for the ducks. Provide dim light at night for feeding and rodent prevention, ideally with someone monitoring. Handlers should frequently interact with the flock, calling them for training. Gradually introduce water exposure, starting with 10-20 minutes each time and gradually extending it. During daytime grazing and watering, bring young ducks indoors or divide them into small groups on the exercise field at night to prevent death caused by prolonged stacking in the cold. Playing music for ducklings can guide grazing or returning to pens and reduce sound-induced stress. Additionally, pay attention to rodent control and protection against predators like rats, dogs, weasels, and eagles, which prey on ducklings, cause panic, and spread diseases. After crops are harvested in winter fields, rats without food migrate, gathering in large numbers in pastures, necessitating trapping or poisoning.
10. Pay attention to epidemic prevention. Focus on preventing and vaccinating against duck hepatitis, serositis, influenza, and aspergillosis. Do not purchase poultry or their products from outside sources. Strengthen vehicle and personnel disinfection, especially the flock and cages, thoroughly disinfecting the site immediately after work.
11. Create a good activity environment. Ensure ducks have a comfortable environment where they can sleep after eating.
12. Timely market entry. Meat ducks reach optimal market size after 43-47 days of winter rearing, weighing 3.1-3.4 kilograms. At this point, their growth performance is best, and feed costs are lowest. Ideally, adopt an all-in-all-out system. Stress affects ducks' feed intake, potentially causing refusal to eat and significantly impacting meat duck weight gain and economic benefits. Therefore, avoid startling them during rearing, and sell them all at once.
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