How to increase ducks' egg production in winter? Practical methods shared
During the low-temperature period in winter, most poultry will see a drop in egg production or stop laying altogether, and ducks are one of them. In fact, this is because the winter temperature is too low, which is not conducive to the growth and development of ducks, and they consume a large amount of nutrients to keep warm. But if feeding and management are done properly, ducks can still lay eggs in winter. Below, let's take a look at Qinnong.com's methods for increasing ducks' egg production in winter.
1. Cold protection and moisture retention
Ducks have a relatively fast metabolism, and in winter they give off more heat than other poultry, which requires consuming a large amount of nutrients. So if you want ducks to lay eggs in winter, paying attention to cold protection and moisture retention measures is the key point, keeping ducks in a temperature environment suitable for growth. In a low-temperature environment, ducks lay fewer eggs or stop laying. The duck house must be built in a wind-sheltered, sunny location, and it must also be spacious, let in light, and have good insulation measures. During raising, artificial means can be used to increase the temperature of the duck house, such as burning fires outside the duck house. No matter what, the temperature of the duck house must be kept above 10 degrees, and the duck house must also be kept dry and clean.
2. Ensuring sufficient light
Maintaining the duration of light is also a method to increase ducks' egg production. Generally, the most suitable light duration is about 16 hours per day. When natural light is insufficient, artificial supplementary light is needed. An appropriate number of electric lights can be installed in the duck house, turned on and off regularly and at fixed times, maintaining a constant light duration, but be careful not to let it suddenly become long or short, suddenly early or late, or suddenly bright or dim.
3. Keeping the duck house quiet
When laying eggs, ducks are extremely sensitive to external stimuli and are very easily frightened by them, thereby reducing egg production. According to research, during the egg-laying period, if ducks are frightened, egg production can drop by 10%-20%, and they are also prone to laying thin-shelled and soft-shelled eggs. Therefore, the duck house must be kept quiet, and the construction of the duck house should also avoid noisy environments as much as possible. Also pay attention to the entry of other animals. When raising, keep new and old ducks separate and do not mix them together, to prevent the new ducks' cries from disturbing the old ducks' rest and thereby affecting egg production.
4. Feeding mixed feed
The quality of the feed is directly related to ducks' egg production. Only by feeding highly nutritious feed and meeting the nutrition needed by ducks for laying eggs can egg production be increased. But the feed fed should not be single. Many duck raisers follow local rearing methods, feeding a diet that is too single, but the feed's nutrition is relatively low, which not only wastes feed but also affects egg production. When feeding, nutrition must be balanced, with various feeds combined, to improve the various nutrients needed by ducks for laying eggs and increase egg production.
The above are the methods brought to you by Qinnong.com for increasing ducks' egg production in winter. The content on increasing ducks' egg production in winter is introduced here. If you want to learn more, please stay tuned to Qinnong.com.