Key Technical Points for Feeding and Management of Laying Ducks During the Laying Period

1. Feeding and Management During the Early and Pre-Laying Periods

During the early laying period (150-200 days of age) and the pre-laying period (201-300 days of age), the focus is on increasing the nutrient concentration in the daily ration and the number of feedings to meet nutritional needs and ensure the flock smoothly reaches peak production. When the laying rate reaches 50%, add 10 grams of fishmeal per duck per day; at a laying rate of 70%, add 15 grams of fishmeal; when the laying rate reaches above 90%, add 18-20 grams of fishmeal, and maintain this level thereafter. Increase feedings from 3 times daily to 4 times, with 3 feedings during the day and 1 at 10 PM. Maintain an average of 14 hours of light, increasing gradually from short to long. During this period, the larger the duck eggs and the faster the increase in production, the better the feeding and management. Otherwise, promptly identify the cause and make improvements. The laying rate gradually rises, especially for ducks that begin laying in early spring, where the rate increases more rapidly. Generally by 200 days of age, the laying rate can reach about 98%. If the laying rate fluctuates or even declines, it is due to feeding-related reasons. Weigh a sample monthly (in the morning when ducks are fasting); if the average body weight is close to the standard weight, feeding and management are appropriate; if it exceeds the standard weight, it indicates excess nutrition and feed should be reduced or the proportion of coarse feed increased; if below the standard weight, it indicates insufficient nutrition and feed quality should be improved.

2. Feeding and Management During the Mid-Laying Period

During the mid-laying period (301-400 days of age), the focus is on ensuring high production and striving to maintain the peak laying period beyond 400 days of age. The nutrient concentration of the daily ration should be slightly higher than the previous stage, adding 22 grams of fishmeal per duck per day, or feeding a compound feed containing 20% protein at 150 grams per duck per day, along with appropriately more green feed and calcium. Feed 150 grams of aquatic plants per duck per day, or add multivitamins and 1-2% granular shell powder. Maintain light at a stable 16 hours per day. Keep the house temperature at 5-10°C; if it exceeds or falls below this range, adjustments should be made. Keep daily routines stable. At this time, if eggshells are smooth, thick, and glossy, it indicates good quality. If eggs become elongated, shells are thin and translucent with sandy spots, or even soft-shelled eggs appear, it indicates poor feed quality, especially insufficient calcium or lack of vitamin B, which should be supplemented. If laying occurs around 2 AM in a concentrated and uniform manner, it indicates proper feeding and management. Otherwise, measures should be taken promptly.

3. Feeding and Management During the Late Laying Period

The focus is to determine feed quality and feeding amount based on the body weight and laying rate of ducks during the late laying period (401-500 days of age). If the flock's laying rate is still above 80% while duck body weight slightly decreases, appropriately add animal-based feed to the ration; if body weight increases, appropriately reduce metabolizable energy in the feed or control feed intake; if body weight is normal, the crude protein in the feed should be slightly increased compared to the previous stage; maintain 16 hours of light per day, and drive the ducks to move in circles inside the house three times daily, about 5-10 minutes each time. When eggshell quality and egg weight decline, supplement with cod liver oil and minerals. Keep the microclimate inside the duck house and operation procedures relatively stable to avoid stress reactions.