Feeding and Management Methods and Technical Points for Adult Muscovy Ducks
After three weeks, the Muscovy ducklings can hatch. Then they enter the feeding stage of growing ducks. Compared with the feeding and management work for ducklings, the feeding and management of growing ducks is much less troublesome; their requirements for environment and food are not too high, and they are relatively easier to raise.
1. Temperature control: Muscovy ducks that eat well and sleep well like to live in a quiet environment. Therefore, a quiet feeding environment should be created as much as possible. In addition, attention should be paid to the effect of temperature. The suitable temperature for adult ducks is between 5—27℃, while the optimal temperature during the laying period is 13—20℃. When the temperature is above 30℃, the feed intake capacity of Muscovy ducks will decline significantly. #At this time, a shade net should be hung above the exercise area to lower the temperature.
2. Humidity control: Attention should be paid to keeping the environment dry, and humidity should not be too high. The specific method is to first sweep the floor of the duck house clean, especially to clean up the feces on the ground. Then spread a layer of fine sand on the floor of the duck house. If the ground is too wet, several more layers can be spread.
3. Sunlight control: Natural light should be the main source. If the sunshine duration exceeds 12 hours, attention should be paid to shading control. If the light is too strong, the duck flock should be driven into a duck house with a sunshade canopy.
4. Feeding density: The feeding density of adult ducks should not be too high. At 5 weeks of age, the density for male ducks should be 9-10 per sq m, and for female ducks 13-15 per sq m; at 8 weeks of age, adjust to 4-5 male ducks per sq m and 8-10 female ducks per sq m; at the final stage, adjust again to 3 male ducks per sq m and 5 female ducks per sq m.
5. Ventilation: Good ventilation should be maintained when raising adult ducks. Ventilation openings should be installed in the shed of the duck house to increase ventilation.
6. Feed feeding: Muscovy ducks should be supplied with different feeds at different growth stages. Generally speaking, the development period can follow a broiler chicken feed formula, and the growth period and laying period can follow a laying hen formula. The feed prepared for adult ducks should contain the following ingredients: cornmeal 55%, soybean meal 13%, wheat bran 30%, fishmeal 1%, and calcium lactate, multivitamin additives, and gypsum together accounting for 1%. During the laying period, the feed formula for the growing period can be used as a reference, and appropriate adjustments can be made flexibly according to the peak laying period. Feed 75 g-100 g of mixed feed per day, with an appropriate amount of green feed, feed 3 times a day, and provide drinking water freely.
7. Feeding management: Muscovy ducks especially love cleanliness, and the sanitation inside the duck house should be cleaned frequently. This mainly means cleaning up debris on the ground. In addition, it should be noted that the bedding in the duck house needs to be replaced frequently. The duck house should be disinfected frequently. The disinfectants can be conventional disinfection products, such as peracetic acid and Baidusha. For Muscovy ducks in the development period, they should be properly provided with places for outdoor exercise, because after the brooding period ends, the frequency of outdoor activity of Muscovy ducks will increase significantly.
8. Prevention and treatment of diseases in adult Muscovy ducks:
(1) Immunization of adult ducks
Adult Muscovy ducks should also be immunized against avian influenza. The steps for immunizing adult ducks are basically similar to those for ducklings. A simple fence also needs to be set up, and then adult ducks that have not been vaccinated should be driven into the fence. The number of adult ducks in the fence should preferably be 10—15. The dosage and injection method of the avian influenza vaccine are also the same as those for ducklings, which is 0.3 milliliters per bird by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. In particular, everyone should be reminded that the time for injecting female Muscovy ducks with avian influenza vaccine should be controlled between 15 days and 30 days before laying.
(2) Treatment of common diseases in adult ducks
9. The main common disease of adult Muscovy ducks is feather pecking:
(1) Symptoms of feather pecking
The symptom of feather pecking is abnormal excessive shedding of feathers, mostly seen on the head, back, abdomen, and both wings, exposing red protruding spots. In severe cases, almost all feathers on the whole body are pecked off.
(2) Causes of feather pecking
There are many causes of feather pecking, with three main ones: First, too many ducks are kept in the duck house and the density is too high. Second, the sunlight is too strong and too hot. Third, irritation from external parasites such as lice and mites.
(3) Treatment of feather pecking
In response to these situations, the following treatment methods can be adopted.
First, if feather pecking is caused by excessive stocking density and too many Muscovy ducks being raised per unit area, then the breeding density should be adjusted, the number of Muscovy ducks kept per unit area should be reduced, and more space for rest and activity should be provided for the Muscovy ducks.
Second, if the light is too strong in the outdoor environment, then the outdoor activity time of the Muscovy ducks should be limited, and they should be moved to a duck house that avoids light and has good ventilation, to prevent long-term exposure to strong light.
Third, once external parasites are found on Muscovy ducks suffering from feather pecking, they should be killed promptly. Letting Muscovy ducks take water baths more often can effectively remove external parasites from their bodies and can effectively reduce the probability of illness in Muscovy ducks.
Fourth, for adult ducks with relatively severe feather pecking, they should be grouped and raised separately, and beak trimming should be carried out when necessary.
As long as we breed scientifically and do a good job in the management of Muscovy ducks at each stage, Muscovy ducks will grow healthily, thereby bringing us rich market returns and considerable economic benefits. Low cost and high returns have delighted Muscovy duck raisers, and they even made up a jingle to praise Muscovy ducks. “Muscovy duck, auspicious bird, dietary therapy and health care are necessary, low investment and small risk, high value for getting rich and for viewing.”