How to carry out good feeding management during the fattening period of meat ducks?

1. Force-feeding techniques for meat-type ducklings.

Force-feeding of meat ducks mainly uses artificial force to make the ducks swallow large amounts of high-energy feed, so that they rapidly gain weight and accumulate fat in a short period. When the ducks' body weight reaches 1.5-1.75 kg, force-feeding begins, and the force-feeding period is generally about 2 weeks. The early-stage feed has a high protein content and slightly higher crude fiber; while the late-stage feed has low crude protein content and slightly lower crude fiber, but its energy is higher than that of the early-stage feed. This is mainly because ducklings need higher protein for early growth and development, while in the later stage they need higher energy to increase body fat, speeding up weight gain in the later stage. Before force-feeding begins, first divide the ducks into groups by sex and body weight, so as to control the amount of feeding. Generally, feed 3-4 times a day, with equal intervals between each feeding, and feed the early-stage and late-stage feed for about 1 week each.

2. Force-feeding methods.

Before force-feeding, first mix the filler with water into a dry paste, and roll it by hand into pellets about 5 cm long, about 1.5 cm thick, and 25 g in weight. When force-feeding, the feeder clamps the duck's body below the wings between the legs, holds the duck's head with the left hand, uses the thumb and index finger to open the duck's upper and lower bills, presses the front end of the tongue with the middle finger, takes a pellet with the right hand, dips it in water and sends it into the duck's esophagus, and squeezes it downward with the hand so that the pellet enters the enlarged part of the esophagus. Feed 3-4 times a day, 4-5 pellets each time, and then gradually increase; in the later stage, 8-10 pellets can be fed each time. A force-feeding machine can also be used. 3-4 hours before force-feeding, mix the filler with clean water into a semi-fluid slurry; the ratio of water to feed is 6:4. Let the feed soften, but in summer prevent the feed from becoming moldy and spoiled. Generally feed 4 times a day, and the amount of wet feed each time is: 150-160 g on day 1, 175 g on days 2-3, 200 g on days 4-5, 225 g on days 6-7, 275 g on days 8-9, 325 g on days 10-11, 400 g on days 12-13, and 450 g on day 14. If the ducks have a good appetite, more can be fed, and it should be controlled flexibly according to the situation. When force-feeding, put the slurry feed into the feed bucket of the force-feeding machine. The feeder holds the duck with the left hand, presses the palm against the back of the duck's head, uses the thumb and index finger to open the duck's upper and lower bills, presses the front end of the duck's tongue with the middle finger, gently holds the enlarged part of the esophagus with the right hand, brings the duck's bill toward the feeding rubber tube, and inserts the rubber tube into the lower part of the duck's pharynx, keeping the rubber tube and the duck's body in a straight line, so as not to injure the esophagus. After inserting the tube properly, step on the clutch with the left foot, and the machine automatically presses the feed into the esophagus. After the feed is filled, release the switch and withdraw the rubber tube from the duck's bill. When force-feeding, the duck's body should be level, the bill should be opened quickly, the tongue should be pressed accurately, the tube should be inserted appropriately, the feed should enter slowly, and the duck should be released quickly. Although force-feeding is done at fixed times and in fixed amounts, it should also be based on the digestion after force-feeding. Also pay attention to observation: generally, a groove appearing in the enlarged part of the esophagus 1 hour before force-feeding indicates normal digestion. If it appears earlier than 1 hour before force-feeding, it indicates that too little was fed.

3. Management during the force-feeding period.

Movements during force-feeding should be gentle. After each force-feeding, release the ducks appropriately for water and activity, clean the ducks' bodies, help digestion, and promote feather growth; every 2-3 hours or so, drive the ducks to walk once to aid digestion, but do not drive them roughly; the ground inside the house and in the exercise yard should be level to prevent the ducks from falling and being injured; keep the house dry, and in summer pay attention to heat prevention and cooling, set up a shade awning in the exercise yard, and provide clean drinking water every day; feed less during the day and more at night, and let the ducks spend the night in the exercise yard; the density of the duck flock is 2.5-3 birds per sq m in the early stage, and 2-2.5 birds per sq m in the later stage; always keep the duck house environment quiet, reduce stress, and do not allow idle people to enter; generally after about 2 weeks of force-feeding, the body weight is above 2.5 kg and they can be sold on the market.