How to Raise Ducks in Winter? A Detailed Explanation of Key Feeding and Management Techniques
????Sanitation and Disinfection
Sanitation and disinfection work is an important part of the basic management of duck raising. Entering winter, the weather is changeable, with more rain and snow and dropping temperatures, which reduces the adaptability and body resistance of ducks. Therefore, sanitation and disinfection work must be timely, thorough and effective. Special attention should be paid to the environmental hygiene and disinfection of duck houses for young and medium ducks, to prevent young and medium ducks from contracting diseases and suffering from poor early growth. Carrying out disinfection with ducks present in young and medium duck houses every day is conducive to purifying the floor, litter and air of the duck house, and prevents young and medium ducks from contracting common diseases such as duck infectious serositis through the respiratory tract and damaged skin.
In winter, the living space of the duck flock is mostly indoors, so the cleanliness and hygiene of the duck house interior is the key to solving the overall hygiene level of winter breeding. Practice has proven that dry and hygienic litter directly affects the weight gain and feed-to-meat ratio of commercial ducks. Wet litter produces large amounts of ammonia, causing air pollution in the duck house, leading to disease outbreaks in the duck flock and affecting growth and development.
Temperature and Ventilation In winter, correctly solving and handling the issues of temperature and ventilation as well as the relationship between the two will directly affect the performance of the overall production level. In ordinary farms, insulation is mainly regulated by simple stoves, agricultural film, etc., and the indoor temperature for ducks of different ages must be strictly adjusted according to technical standards. Before 7 days of age, the temperature is 34°C~27°C; from 8 days to 21 days of age, the temperature is 26°C~18°C; from 22 days of age to slaughter and market, normal temperature (15°C~20°C).
Whether to ventilate should be determined according to the ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations in the duck house. Generally, if entering the duck house does not cause eye irritation or breathing difficulty, and the temperature is suitable, a small ventilation hole can be opened in the safe ventilation facility above the duck house ceiling for small-airflow ventilation; if entering the duck house causes eye irritation and breathing difficulty, it indicates that the ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations in the air are too high, and the cause should be identified, such as the dryness of the litter, the hygiene status of drinking and feeding equipment, disinfection, etc. Problems should be handled promptly, and at the same time the ceiling ventilation facility or ventilation holes should be opened for large-airflow ventilation. Absolutely avoid cross ventilation, which causes a sudden drop in indoor temperature and leads to colds in the duck flock.
????Drinking Water and Water Temperature Control
Water is a necessary substance in the growth process of ducks. Ducks should always be provided with drinking water that is easy to take in, clean and hygienic, while also paying attention to the temperature of the drinking water, especially the drinking water temperature of ducks during the brooding period. The ideal drinking water temperature for ducklings is 20°C~25°C; the ideal drinking water temperature for medium and adult ducks is 10°C or slightly above. Absolutely avoid letting ducks drink ice water in winter. If the water intake of ducks decreases, within 24 hours to 28 hours it will cause a decrease in feed intake, thereby affecting growth speed, and at the same time the disease resistance of the duck flock will correspondingly decrease. Dai Baoping