With proper winter feeding and management, laying ducks can achieve high production in early spring

If key management steps are handled well during the wintering period, laying ducks can achieve high production the following year, ensuring breeding profitability.

Regroup the flock: Regroup the laying ducks, culling old, weak, diseased and disabled ducks as well as low-yielding ducks, to reduce deaths and feed consumption.

Control room temperature: Cold protection and warmth for wintering laying ducks is crucial. Only when the temperature inside the house stays above 5°C late at night can a high laying rate be ensured.

Thick litter: In the laying areas along the four inner walls of the duck house, spread 30 cm thick straw. After collecting eggs in the morning, the old straw from the laying areas can be scattered inside the duck house. Each evening before the ducks enter the house, add fresh straw to make laying nests, so the litter gradually accumulates. Remove the old litter once every few days, which both keeps them warm and saves labor.

Maintain nutrition: During the wintering period, laying ducks must be given a properly increased proportion of energy feed such as corn, with the feeding amount increased by 10%-15% compared with summer and autumn, and sufficient green feed supplied. Adding 3%-5% oil to the feed gives even better results.

Add a nighttime feeding: Feeding once at night not only increases the nutrition of laying ducks and helps the ducks resist the cold, but can also raise the laying rate by more than 10%. However, nighttime feeding should note: first, warm feed must be supplied; second, the nighttime feed should be mainly high-energy feed such as corn, with not too much protein feed.

Feed and water warm: Concentrate feed needs to be mixed with warm water, and drinking water should also be given warm, with the best temperature around 38°C.

Supplement lighting: The daily lighting time must be no less than 16 hours. Lighting can be supplemented in the duck shed by installing one 60-watt bulb per 30 sq m, with the bulb 2 m above the ducks' backs, fitted with a lampshade, and turned on at set times in the morning and evening. Practice has shown that after supplemental lighting, the laying rate can increase by 20%.

More water play: In winter, housed laying ducks should play in water 1-2 times a day, which can increase activity and improve the flock's resistance. Water play is generally done at noon when the temperature is higher.

High density: For winter duck raising, a density of 8-9 ducks per sq m is best, as it helps the flock keep itself warm.

Prevent disease: Because wintering duck flocks need warmth, ventilation and air exchange are affected, so attention should be paid to cleanliness and hygiene inside the house. After the flock leaves the house, open the windows for ventilation. Once sick ducks are found, isolate them promptly for diagnosis and treatment, and carry out emergency disinfection of the duck house.