How much does an authentic wild duck cost per bird? Detailed explanation of the key points of feeding and management techniques
The wild duck is a typical representative of waterfowl; the wild duck is the common name of the mallard in the Northern Hemisphere. The wild duck is a lean-meat type of poultry; its meat is tender and delicious, rich in protein and other nutrients, and is a top-grade game meat with very good sales prospects. So how much does an authentic wild duck cost per bird? What are the key points of feeding and management techniques?
I. How much does an authentic wild duck cost per bird?
The price of an authentic wild duck generally depends on its weight in jin; one weighing three jin can reach over one hundred yuan per bird, though prices also differ from region to region.
Wild ducklings cost about 5 yuan each, though prices differ from region to region, so the specific price should be inquired about at the local market. When selecting wild ducklings, be sure to choose ones that are large, full of vigor, and have glossy down. Afterward, during transport, be sure to control temperature and density, try not to travel on particularly bumpy roads, and bring rain gear and insulation equipment.
II. What are the key points of wild duck feeding and management techniques?
1. Ducklings (1 to 30 days of age): They are generally brooded on flat ground indoors; the ground should be covered with soft rice straw and divided into small pens, each about 2 sq m, with one heat-preserving electric lamp installed in each pen, and 50 to 70 ducklings raised in each small pen within 7 days of age. Be careful to maintain suitable temperatures: 27 to 29°C for 1 to 3 days of age, 25 to 26°C for 4 to 6 days of age, 24 to 25°C for 7 to 10 days of age, and 17 to 19°C after 10 days of age. Because ducklings like to huddle together when sleeping, to prevent them from being crushed or suffocated by huddling, someone must be on duty day and night, gently nudging and scattering the huddle by hand once every 1 hour. When starting to feed, give water first and then feed; add an appropriate amount of compound vitamin B preparation to the drinking water. Be sure to provide enough clean water for the wild ducks to drink freely. The number of feedings is generally 7 times a day within 10 days of age, and 4 to 5 times a day after 10 days of age; each time, while feeding the compound feed, also appropriately add chopped tender grass, vegetable leaves and other green feed, as well as kelp essence powder and fresh live animals such as small fish, shrimp, and earthworms. Ducklings 7 to 15 days old can be released into shallow ditches on sunny days, and after 15 days of age they can be released into ponds, to help them grow healthily.
2. Adult ducks (31 to 80 days of age): To make adult ducks grow quickly, compound feed must be supplied without restriction throughout the entire feeding period, allowing them to eat freely, and sufficient clean drinking water must be provided. After 50 days of age, adult ducks begin to learn to fly due to increased body fat and physiological changes; at this time they must be strictly prevented from escaping, and the keeper should wear plain-colored clothing and prevent outsiders from entering the farm buildings and disturbing the flock.
3. Laying ducks (after 80 days of age): Before laying, feed 2 to 3 times a day; feed less in the morning, let them move around more in wild hills and woodlands and eat more natural feed; feed little or even not at all at noon; feed them full before they enter the shed in the evening. During the laying period, to make the ducks lay more eggs and lay "game-flavored" eggs, it is best not to feed them full every morning; release the ducks into wild hills and woodlands to move freely and feed on natural feed; at noon prepare sufficient drinking water in the shed; before the sun sets in the afternoon, drive the ducks back to the duck shed and feed them full. During the laying period, some shallow nests should be made artificially on the ground and lined with soft rice straw to facilitate egg laying.