Key Technical Points and Scientific Feeding Management Methods for White Duck Farming
AbstractIn the early stage of white duck farming, the duck house must be built first. The duck house should be built in a place where the soil has good permeability and which is sheltered from the wind and faces the sun. After the ducks hatch, they should first be given water, and then fed. Ducklings from 1 to 3 days old need to be fed once every hour, while ducks in the weight-gain stage need to be fed at fixed times and in fixed amounts. The stocking density for raising ducks should be moderate, and reasonable density-based rearing is usually carried out according to the ducks' growth conditions; the environment needs to be kept clean and well ventilated.
1. Duck house construction
A place with soil that has very good permeability should be chosen to build the duck house. It is best to choose a spot that is sheltered from the wind and faces the sun, as this is more ventilated and breathable and less likely to breed bacteria. To prevent water accumulation from rain, it can be built on a slope.
2. Feeding management
Within 24 hours after the ducklings hatch, they should promptly be given drinking water. A layer of plastic film can be laid on the ground, then some cool boiled water poured on it, and then oxytetracycline aqueous solution dripped on in proportion, allowing the young ducks to drink freely. At the same time, prepare some feed, mix it evenly with water, and likewise scatter it on the plastic film. This can stimulate the ducks' natural instinct to search for food on their own, and then place basins nearby with sufficient clean drinking water.
When they are still 1 to 3 days old, they need to be fed once every hour, and are required to finish eating within a very short time. On the fourth day, the feeding method is small amounts and fewer meals. When the ducks are in a weight-gain stage, they need to be fed at fixed times and in fixed amounts, and they should be allowed to eat their fill and eat well. They also need to be occasionally let out to range so they can get plenty of exercise.
3. Duck rearing density
The density for raising white ducks should not be too high, otherwise it affects the ducks' growth. Generally, the most suitable area ratio is 3 to 5 times the size of each duck's body. It can be done as follows: white ducks that are one week old can be raised at 20 to 25 per sq m, two-week-old white ducks can be raised at 10 to 15 per sq m, three-week-old white ducks can be raised at 6 to 10 per sq m, and four-week-old white ducks can be raised at 4 to 6 per sq m.
If the site is relatively large and spacious, the rearing density can also be lowered. If the density is too high, or the conditions are too crowded, this is not conducive to white ducks drinking water and feeding, thereby causing stunted growth and development. It may also trigger disease and cause restlessness in the duck flock. This is extremely unfavorable for growth and can cause death.
4. Environmental management
For ducklings 1 to 3 days old, the temperature needs to be kept between 30 and 31 degrees, while for ducklings 4 to 7 days old, the temperature needs to be kept between 28 and 30 degrees. For ducks 8 to 14 days old, the temperature needs to be kept between 25 and 28 degrees, and for ducks 15 days old and above, the temperature should be kept between 20 and 25 degrees.
In addition, the room needs to be ventilated frequently by opening windows, which can keep the air fresh. It also needs to be cleaned often to keep the feed troughs and drinking troughs clean. The bedding straw for the ducklings needs to be changed frequently, and lights need to be turned on at night for supplemental lighting.