What should be noted when raising ducks in summer?

Summer weather is relatively complex; it is a season of high temperatures and frequent rain, and it is also a period when bacteria and microorganisms actively reproduce, making it a time of high disease incidence. Ducks have full feathers and thick fat, are extremely afraid of heat, and have weak resistance to disease. To help them get through the summer safely, what should we pay attention to? Come and take a look at the detailed introduction on Qinnongwang.

1. Reduce stocking density

Summer is already hot and scorching, so the duck flock density should not be too high, as that easily causes crowding among the ducks, makes their body heat pile up, and also easily breeds bacteria, causing disease outbreaks and ultimately leading to duck deaths. In summer, stocking density should be reduced, more sheds should be used, the number of ducks raised should be decreased, and drinking and feeding utensils should be added inside the pens.

2. Adjust the feed formula

The feed formula for raising ducks should be changed according to the ducks' growth stage and the season. Summer temperatures are high, and ducks have relatively thick subcutaneous fat, so they produce a large amount of heat, but their ability to dissipate heat is poor. Therefore, in the summer feed formula, while meeting the ducks' nutritional needs, its protein content should be at the lowest level, which can reduce the large amount of heat released when feed is digested.

3. Cooling and shade

Summer sunlight is intense, and ducks are often listless and hide in cool places, so the duck shed must reduce sunlight exposure and provide appropriate cooling and shade. When building the duck shed, it can be made tall and spacious; otherwise, build a shade awning near the duck shed, or plant trees to provide shade. During high temperatures, water can be sprayed on the roof, the ground, and around the duck shed to achieve a cooling effect.

4. Feeding methods

At high temperatures, ducks may experience loss of appetite or stop eating. Over time, they will not only fail to gain weight but will gradually become thin, affecting profits. At this point, we should pay attention to the timing and methods of feeding, choosing to feed in the cooler times in the morning and evening, avoiding the high-temperature period at noon, and additionally providing cool and sufficient drinking water. Moreover, the feed must be fresh; in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, feed easily ferments and spoils, which can easily cause disease.

5. Hygiene and disinfection

Summer is a season with frequent diseases, and many infectious diseases are often caused by unsanitary environments, so the duck house must be kept clean, especially duck droppings, to reduce contact between ducklings and droppings, reduce opportunities for disease transmission, and lower the incidence rate. Regular disinfection treatment can also effectively prevent the occurrence of diseases.

The above are the notes on raising ducks in summer brought to you by Qinnongwang. When raising ducks in summer, it is best to keep the raising environment quiet, avoid frightening the ducks, reduce the ducks' activity level, and reduce heat dissipation. If you want to learn more, please stay tuned to Qinnongwang.