Feeding laying ducks requires attention to detail: master the four-observation technique for scientific feeding

First, observe body weight. When the flock's laying rate is above 80% and the ducks show a slight trend of weight loss, animal-based feed should be added at an appropriate time. If the ducks gain weight and show a tendency toward becoming fat, but the laying rate is still 80%, you can appropriately increase the amount of roughage and green feed, or control their feed intake so they do not eat too much concentrated feed, but animal protein feed should still be maintained at the original level or slightly increased. If body weight is normal and the laying rate is also relatively high, and the protein level in the feed has increased slightly compared with the previous stage, when the laying rate drops to 60% and is difficult to bring back up, there is no need to add feed.

Second, observe droppings. If the duck droppings are thick, loose, and strip-shaped, with a glossy surface, and can be broken into several segments when lightly prodded with a foot, it indicates that the proportions of concentrated, roughage, and green feed are reasonable. If the droppings are small, firm, and black in color, and the cross-section after prodding is granular, it indicates that the amount of concentrated feed is too much and the amount of green feed is too little, and digestion and absorption are abnormal; the feeding amount of concentrated feed should be reduced and more green feed should be given. If the droppings are light in color and unformed, scattering as soon as they are excreted, it indicates that the concentrated feed is insufficient and the nutritional level is too low, so concentrated feed should be supplemented. If the droppings are yellowish-white or grayish-green with a foul odor, it indicates that the ducks are sick and should be isolated for treatment.

Third, observe egg production. If the eggs are abnormally shaped and small, it indicates insufficient nutrition, and feed rich in protein such as soybean cake, peanut cake, and fish meal must be added, raising the crude protein content in the daily ration to 20%, and appropriately increasing the total amount of the daily ration. If the eggshells become thin, translucent, have sand holes, are rough, or are soft-shelled, it indicates that the feed quality is poor, especially insufficient calcium or lack of vitamin D, and feed rich in minerals such as bone meal, shell meal, and lime powder as well as vitamin D should be added. If egg weight decreases, cod liver oil and mineral salt additives can be increased. If egg laying is concentrated at 2 a.m., it indicates that feeding is appropriate; if egg laying is delayed each day and the eggs become smaller, then more feed should be given.

Fourth, observe spirit. Healthy ducks with a high laying rate are full of energy, dive for long periods, and after coming ashore have smooth feathers that are not wet, with water droplets splashing in all directions when they shake their feathers. If the ducks are listless, move weakly, are afraid to enter the water after being let out, and their feathers become wet after entering the water or they even sink, it indicates that their daily ration is nutritionally insufficient, and animal-based fresh feed should be added in a timely manner, along with sufficient cod liver oil, preferably clear cod liver oil, mixed into powdered feed and fed at 1 milliliter per duck per day, fed for 3 days and stopped for 7 days as one treatment course; alternatively, feed 0.5 milliliters per duck per day for 10 consecutive days.