Key Points of Feeding and Management Techniques for Muscovy Ducklings

In general, the feeding and management of Muscovy ducks can be divided into four stages: weeks 0—5 are the brooding period, weeks 6—27 are the growing period, and after 27 weeks is the laying period, among which the brooding period is the most important.

During the brooding period, the ducklings are very delicate after birth, have a weak ability to adapt to the external environment, and have poor self-regulation of body temperature, a small digestive tract volume, and body functions that are not yet fully developed. During this stage, the ducklings have vigorous metabolism and fast growth. Newly hatched ducklings have weak disease resistance. According to these characteristics, doing a good job in brooding is very important, not only related to the growth rate and survival rate of the ducklings themselves, but also affecting the future production and health status of the Muscovy ducks.

Before brooding, the site and equipment should be cleaned and disinfected. The disinfectant should be prepared with Baidusha at a ratio of 1:300. After the brooding net bed is set up, it should be disinfected and left empty. One day before the ducklings are introduced, the room should be heated so that the temperature of the brooding net bed is controlled at around 30°C.

1. Temperature control

The brooding temperature is 34°C on the first day, and then decreases by 0.5°C per day. Temperature control can also be carried out on a weekly basis. In the first week, the temperature of the brooding bed should be 32 degrees—35 degrees, and then decrease by 2 degrees per week. #Generally speaking, after three weeks, Muscovy ducks can adapt to the temperature of the external environment, and at this time artificial temperature control can be stopped.

2. Humidity control

Young ducklings should not grow in large nests, and the duck house must not be damp. Sand should be spread inside the house to keep it dry, and the humidity should be maintained at around 60% to 70%.

3. Sunlight control

Sunlight exposure is extremely important for ducklings. When there is insufficient light, ducklings will become listless, have poor appetite, their beaks will appear grayish-white, and their feathers will be messy and yellowish. Therefore, during the brooding period, if natural light cannot be used, artificial light should be used instead. For the first 3 days of brooding, continuous 24-hour lighting should be maintained. After one week, natural light can be the main source.

4. Stocking density

Stocking density is also an aspect to pay attention to during the brooding period. During the brooding period, each small group should preferably be 50 to 100 birds. At one week of age, 35-40 birds per square should be maintained, at two weeks of age 25-30 birds, at 3 weeks of age 20-25 birds, and at 4 weeks of age 15-20 birds. As the age of the ducklings increases, the density can be adjusted appropriately.

5. Feed feeding

When Muscovy ducks just hatch, they only have a rudimentary kidney urinary system, and it takes some time before it has full function. Therefore, ducklings have a weak ability to absorb water and are very prone to dehydration. During the brooding period, special attention should be paid to providing sufficient drinking water. Thirty minutes after the ducklings enter the brooding room, they should be given warm water, with the water temperature maintained at 20°C to 30°C. The ducklings can begin to be fed 2 hours after drinking water. For ducklings from 0 to 6 weeks, the composition of the feed formula is relatively complex. Among it, cornmeal 60%, soybean meal 15%, wheat bran 23%, fishmeal 1%, and calcium lactate, multivitamin additives, and gypsum powder together account for 1%. Feed 5 times a day, with free access to drinking water.

6. Feeding management

In general, the brooding period management of Muscovy ducks should pay attention to the following issues: First, master the appropriate temperature, and avoid sudden cold and sudden heat, as sudden cold and sudden heat are most likely to cause disease. Second, divide into groups in time and strictly prevent piling. Weak ducklings found should be raised separately and returned to the group after recovery. Third, feed carefully and often observe the ducklings' eating, drinking, feces, sleep, growth, and other conditions. If abnormalities are found, timely treatment should be given.

7. Beak trimming

To prevent feather pecking and waste of feed, beak trimming should be carried out on ducklings at 2-3 weeks of age. Beak trimming work requires preparing tools and equipment such as gentian violet and scissors. When trimming the beak, first pour gentian violet into a basin for later use, then put the scissors into the gentian violet for disinfection. When trimming the beak, hold the duckling tightly to avoid accidentally injuring other parts due to the duckling's body twisting. Use scissors to cut off the tip of the top part of the duckling's beak until fresh blood flows out to ensure complete beak trimming. To prevent wound infection, put the bleeding part of the duckling's beak into gentian violet for disinfection.

8. Disease prevention and control of ducklings

(1) Vaccination of ducklings

To ensure that Muscovy ducks can grow and develop healthily, ducklings should be immunized. The main immunization is against avian influenza. If improperly controlled, it can cause large-scale death of the duck flock. When the ducklings grow to the 2nd week, they should be injected with avian influenza vaccine. First, a simple fence should be built in the corner of an empty shed. The specific method of building it is to connect several prepared guardrails together, and the joints should be tied and fixed with iron wire. After the fence is built, the unimmunized ducklings can be driven into the fence, and then the guardrails should be enclosed into a rectangle. It should be noted that the number driven in at one time should not be too many, preferably 25——30 birds. At this time, the ducklings can be injected with avian influenza vaccine. The injection method is to inject 0.3 milliliters of inactivated avian influenza vaccine under the wing skin or into the muscle of the ducklings. Put the ducklings that have already been injected with avian influenza vaccine into the shed, so that missed injections and wrong injections can be prevented.

(2) Treatment of common diseases of ducklings The common disease of ducklings is mainly viral hepatitis, characterized by poor appetite, dark feathers, and often being in a state of deep sleep. For this condition, the viral hepatitis dual vaccine can be used by injecting 0.2 milliliters per bird under the skin or into the muscle. In addition, injection of the viral hepatitis dual vaccine can also provide a certain immune effect against viral hepatitis, with an immune period of 9 months.