Want to save money, increase income and get more eggs from raising ducks? These 3 feeding tips help a lot

In the process of raising poultry, feed is always the largest expense in the cost of breeding, and many people have the fixed impression that the more they eat, the more they grow, and the higher the price they pay, but this is not necessarily so. So how can you save money and increase income when feeding ducks? How can you make ducks lay more eggs? These 3 tips can help a lot!

1. How to save money and increase income when feeding ducks

1. Look at body weight

When the laying rate of the duck flock reaches 80% or even more, but the ducks keep getting lighter in weight, you should appropriately increase the feeding of animal-based feed to replenish the energy they consume for laying.

If the ducks gain weight and their bodies become fatter and fatter, but the laying rate still stays at around 80%, this shows that the ducks already have excess nutrition, which has affected the laying rate. At this time, increase the feeding of coarse feed and green feed, or control their feed intake to reduce the excessive intake of nutrients.

2. Look at droppings

If the ducks' droppings are long and strip-shaped, look somewhat glossy on the surface, feel soft when lightly prodded with the foot, but can be broken into segments, this indicates that the concentrate, coarse feed and green feed are reasonably matched during feeding, and there is no need to increase or decrease the feeding.

If the ducks' droppings are black in color, feel firm when lightly prodded with the foot, and appear granular after being broken apart, this indicates that too much concentrate feed is being fed and there is a lack of green feed nutrition intake, so the ducks cannot absorb and digest normally. At this time, correspondingly reduce the concentrate feeding and increase the proportion of green feed.

3. Look at egg laying

If the duck eggs laid are very small, it shows that the ducks lack nutrition and need increased intake of protein feeds such as soybean cake, peanut cake and fish meal. When feeding, increase the proportion of crude protein in the daily ration, accounting for at least 20% of the total daily ration.

If the eggshells of the duck eggs are visibly thinner and more brittle, have pinholes, feel relatively rough on the surface, and even show soft-shelled eggs, it shows that the feed's nutritional content is insufficient, especially with a considerable lack of calcium or vitamin D. Bone meal, shell powder, lime powder and other minerals as well as vitamin D should be added to the feed.

2. How to make ducks lay more eggs

1. Spring sunning

In spring, the temperature is suitable, green feed is abundant, and the duck flock is relatively active. For free-range duck flocks, you can let them out early and bring them back late, extending the grazing time as much as possible so the ducks can forage on their own. For outdoor free-range raising, uphold the principle of “drive quickly on an empty stomach, drive slowly on a full stomach, drive more in the morning, drive less in the afternoon.”

2. Summer cooling

In summer, the weather is hot and ducks may suffer heatstroke. At this time, free-range raising should follow the principle of “drive them out early, let them eat in the dark, and avoid the middle of the day.” At the hottest time around noon, drive the ducks under the shade of trees to cool off. Sultry weather at night will make the ducks restless and agitated, and in severe cases they will quack all night, so the hot and restless ducks can be driven into a pond to escape the heat. At this time, the ducks' feed intake decreases, so feed them less but more often, and increase the proportion of green feed.

3. Autumn control

In autumn, the weather is cool and suitable, and aquatic animal feed is abundant in the water, which can stimulate the ducks' appetite, so prevent the ducks from becoming too fat and affecting egg laying. The methods to control the ducks' body condition are: first, do not let the ducks eat too full, generally about 70% full is appropriate. Second, for grazing, choose mixed muddy waters with fewer aquatic animals and plants. Third, lengthen the grazing time and drive them frequently to increase the ducks' activity.

4. Winter pulling

In late autumn, the ducks' egg production gradually declines and the eggshells begin to become thinner. At this time, in order to restore the ducks' egg production, artificial forced molting can be used to help the ducks lay. The specific operation method is to pull out the large feathers on the ducks' wings and tails and increase the feeding of concentrate feed to supplement a large amount of nutrition; at the same time, the feathers on the back and chest will naturally fall out at this time. After about 20 days, when the feathers have grown in fully, the ducks resume laying.

Ducks are docile in temperament, timid and easily startled. As long as there are relatively suitable raising conditions, they are fairly easy to raise, and farmers can raise them according to their own circumstances.