Clever Methods and Tips for Raising Ducks with Light-Trapped Insects
The technique of raising ducks with light-trapped insects applies the principle that insects are phototactic, collecting insects in a water basin at night to feed ducks. Raising ducks with light-trapped insects can save 30%-40% of feed, correspondingly reducing duck-raising costs and improving duck-raising benefits. It can also draw the various mosquitoes and flies that bite pigs and cattle into the water basin, which is beneficial to the health of pigs and cattle. This method has simple facilities, low cost and is easy to operate. The method is:
Setting up the livestock pens and light bulbs: one of the following two setups can be chosen. 1. Set up the pig pen in the east, the cattle pen in the west, the duck shelter in the north, and the entrance/exit door in the south. 2. Place a pile of pig manure (freshly cleaned fresh pig manure) in the east, a pile of fresh cattle manure in the west, set up the duck pen in the north, and the entrance/exit door in the south. Place a large water basin in the middle of the east, west, south and north of the livestock-raising area or manure-piling area. The size of the basin is determined by how many ducks are raised. Generally, for raising more than 100 ducks, use a large basin (1 m in diameter); for raising about 50 ducks, use a small basin (0.5 m in diameter). Fill with clean water to a depth of 10 cm. Hang a 10-60 watt light bulb above the basin, 12 cm from the water surface.
Insect-trapping time: generally turn on the light from 8 pm to 12 midnight. Because insects are phototactic and there is a reflection of the light in the water, most flying insects fly into the water. Soon a basin of flying insects is obtained. The suitable period for raising ducks with light-trapped insects is from May to October.
Feeding method: the next morning, first sprinkle rice bran powder containing 1% salt on the water surface in the basin (1 kg for a large basin, 0.5 kg for a small basin). Let the ducks feed freely, and after they finish eating, feed them conventional feed.