Detailed Explanation of Key Technical Points for High-Yield Laying Duck Raising

I. Technical Introduction. High-yield laying duck raising techniques are composed of a comprehensive production system with a relatively high technical level. It includes hatching techniques, egg warming techniques, and feeding and management techniques for each stage, and based on production practice, improvements are made on the original technical foundation to achieve stable and high yields and realize production benefits.
II. Technical Operating Procedures
1. Site selection
(1) A site should be chosen near ponds, reservoirs, or slow-flowing streams and rivers, far from villages or towns, to prevent pollution sources. The terrain should be dry, the soil free from epidemic disease contamination, with good air permeability and water permeability, preferably sandy soil. The site should be sheltered from wind and facing the sun, maintaining a gentle slope of about 5 degrees to the water surface.
(2) The usable area of the duck house is calculated at 6-8 birds per sq m, and each house should preferably raise 1000 birds. The surroundings of the house should be hung with straw curtains down to the eaves, with transparent plastic film inside to block wind; inside the house, install 3 60W electric lights and 2 15W lights per 100 sq m. In front of the house there should be a dry, slightly sloped exercise yard twice the size of the duck house. The water surface exercise area should be three times the size of the duck house and enclosed with bamboo fencing or netting. Shade facilities or plants should be provided around the duck house.
2. Selection of breeds
(1) Breeds: The high-yield laying duck breeds suitable for the natural environment and climate characteristics of our city are the Shaoxing Ma Duck (Shaoxing Shelduck) and the Jinding Duck. The Shaoxing Duck begins laying at 130-150 days, with an annual egg production of 250-300 eggs, egg weight 59-71 grams, and adapts to both grazing and confinement rearing; the Jinding Duck begins laying at 4 months of age, with high and stable laying performance, annual egg production of 260-300 eggs, egg weight above 70 grams, accustomed to living in salt water and sewage, with strong adaptability.
(2) Requirements for introducing breeding stock and ducklings: Breeding stock and ducklings must be introduced from breeding duck farms or individual hatcheries with production and operation licenses; they must not be introduced from epidemic areas.
3. Feeding and management of ducklings
Choosing an appropriate brooding period affects both the survival rate of ducklings and their laying performance. Generally, raising "early spring ducks" at the end of April and beginning of May is best; "late spring ducks" can also be raised in June, or "autumn ducks" in August.
(1) Timely first feeding: On the second day after hatching, when one-third of the ducklings appear to be in a foraging state, they can be fed. Mostly use early rice made into steamed firm rice, with 10% glucose water, plus 10% Chinese chives mixed into the rice.
(2) Pay attention to water release: Releasing into water before first feeding is a characteristic of duck raising. Before feeding, first use a duck basket for water release; on sunny days at 13-15°C, they can be released directly into cold water for about 5 minutes; if it is rainy or cold, release water in a wooden basin indoors. Within 1-2 weeks, release water about 15 minutes after feeding each day.
(3) Timely supplementary feeding of animal feed: After ducklings have been raised to the third day, animal feed such as snails, shrimp, earthworms, and small fish should be fed at a ratio of 10-20%, or 5% fish meal mixed into the feed, to promote the growth and development of ducklings.
(4) Supplementary feeding of green feed: From the third day onward, add 10-20% chopped green feed to the feed, or put it on the water surface for free feeding, such as vegetable leaves, water grass, duckweed, etc.
4. Feeding and management of laying ducks in the four seasons
The laying performance of ducks is constrained by many factors such as temperature, humidity, and light. Corresponding technical measures should be taken according to seasonal changes.
(1) Key technical points for feeding and management in spring
① Sufficient feeding. As the temperature turns from cold to warm and sunshine increases, which is favorable for laying, an environment for stable and high yield should be created. Feed must meet the needs of laying ducks in both quantity and quality; the ration should contain 16-18% crude protein and 2700-2800 kcal metabolizable energy per kg.
② Early spring management. In early spring, the temperature is relatively low, so the house should be kept dry and ventilated, cleanliness and sanitation should be maintained, and bedding should be replaced regularly. When natural light is insufficient, supplement artificial light for 4-5 hours daily to stimulate the development of the ducks' gonads.
③ Ensure the supply of green feed. During the day, green feed can be scattered on the water surface for free feeding, and at night it can be placed in baskets in the center of the house for feeding; green feed and concentrated feed each account for 50%. When green feed is lacking, laying-type multivitamins can be added as a substitute, with very good results.
④ Late spring management. At this time the moldy rainy season occurs, and with slight carelessness, egg dropping and molting are likely to occur. The duck house should be well ventilated, bedding straw changed frequently, the house kept dry, feed prevented from becoming moldy, and the duck house, feed troughs, and waterers disinfected regularly. On sunny days, let the ducks move around more outside the house and be exposed to more sunlight.
(2) Key technical points for feeding and management in summer
① Prevent heatstroke and lower temperature. Remove all the straw curtains around the duck house, strengthen air circulation, and if conditions permit, install ventilation equipment to lower the temperature inside the house. Persist in releasing ducks early and shutting them in late; do not drive the ducks into the house in the evening; let them cool off at night until 12 o'clock, then drive them into the house. Ensure the ducks have sufficient drinking water, preferably well water.
② Feed more green feed such as water grass, and increase the protein content in the concentrated feed. Feed should be kept fresh and prevented from deteriorating. For ducks that laid heavily in spring but have not molted, add 1-2% roasted and crushed sesame or rapeseed and other oil crops to the feed to increase the summer laying rate.
③ Appropriately spread out the duck flock and reduce stocking density. The duck house and exercise yard should be swept frequently, and water basins and feed utensils should be washed after each use to maintain cleanliness and sanitation.
④ Pay attention to weather changes, and promptly drive the ducks into the house before thunderstorms.
(3) Key technical points for feeding and management in autumn
September and October are a critical period in laying duck raising; there is both the possibility of maintaining a laying rate above 80% and the risk of a sharp decline.
① Supplement artificial light and maintain a daily light duration of 16 hours.
② Overcome the effects of climate change, especially making preparations before the arrival of cold air, and try to keep the microclimate changes inside the house from fluctuating too much.
③ Appropriately increase nutrition and supplement animal protein feed.
④ Conduct a selection of the duck flock once, separate out the ducks that have stopped laying, and either cull them early or force molt them.
(4) Key technical points for feeding and management in winter
① Raise the metabolizable energy level in the feed to 2900-3000 kcal per kg, with crude protein at 20-22%. Ensure the normal supply of green feed or laying-type multivitamins.
② Prevent cold and keep warm. Enclose the cold-proof straw curtains tightly around the duck house to prevent draft. During winter, bedding should only be added, not replaced, and kept dry, which helps raise the house temperature.
③ Release ducks late in the morning and shut them in early in the evening; normally let them enter water less, and let them enter water once each in the morning and afternoon when temperatures are higher, 10 minutes each time. Before releasing the ducks from the house, exercise them inside the house for 5-10 minutes.
④ Carry out artificial supplementary lighting, maintaining a daily light duration of 16 hours.
⑤ Increase the stocking density per unit area, preferably 8-9 birds per sq m. It is best to give the ducks warm water.
III. Precautions
1. Frequently observe the feeding status and laying situation of the duck flock.
2. Do a good job in disease prevention for ducks; before confinement rearing, carry out vaccination against duck plague, avian influenza, and fowl cholera, and deworming for internal parasites.
3. Pay attention to the cleaning and disinfection of the duck house environment and utensils, and maintain cleanliness and sanitation.