Prevention Methods for the Decline in Laying Rate of Laying Ducks in Early Winter
"Daodan" (laying stop) in laying ducks refers to mother ducks raised in spring entering the laying period in November, when the temperature gradually turns colder and the temperature difference between day and night is too large, or due to insufficient nutrition, causing ducks that have just started laying to stop production and "take a vacation." If laying ducks "daodan" and begin molting, once they molt they will not lay eggs again until the following spring. If duck "daodan" can be controlled during this period, the laying period can be greatly extended and the economic benefits of @#@231@#@ can be increased.
When the ducks show signs of "daodan" such as eggs becoming smaller, eggshells becoming thinner, delayed laying time, wet feathers after coming ashore from drinking water, and burrowing into the duck house, the following measures should be taken promptly:
Adjust the duck flock
In early winter, promptly cull the old, weak, sick and disabled ducks from the flock, keeping mother ducks with good production performance and strong physiques. At the same time, appropriately keep more drakes so that they chase each other, increasing the amount of exercise for the flock.
Increase protein feed
Appropriately increase the proportion of corn, broad beans and soybean cake, control the ducks' feed intake, and increase the nutrient concentration of the feed.
Cold protection and warmth
The holes in the duck shed should be sealed well, straw curtains should be hung on doors and windows, and the floor inside the shed should be thickly padded with dry, soft thatch, rice straw and other materials to ensure the ducks' abdomens are not exposed to cold. At the same time, attention should also be paid to relevant sanitation and epidemic prevention work to ensure the health of the laying ducks.
Supplement lighting
Laying ducks need 16 hours of light per day during the laying period. In winter, the days are short and the nights are long, and light is clearly insufficient. Therefore, 40-watt to 60-watt bulbs should be installed in the duck shed (one bulb per 20 sq m), with the bulbs 2 m above the ducks' backs, and lampshades should be fitted so that the light is concentrated on the ducks' bodies. The light should be even, and the lights should be kept on for 3 hours to 4 hours every evening.
"Driving the shed"
"Driving the shed" can enhance laying ducks' cold resistance and digestive ability and prevent them from stopping laying. The method is to gently call out in the duck shed to get the flock moving, slowly making them move in a circle in the same direction, generally 4 to 5 laps each time, once every 1 hour, 2 to 3 times a day. Especially before driving the ducks into the water, "driving the shed" should also be done. When more than 80% of the ducks are quacking loudly with "ga ga" sounds, the shed can be opened to release the ducks into the water, so as to improve the flock's ability to adapt to the temperature outside the shed and the water temperature.
Add cod liver oil
Because cod liver oil is rich in vitamins A and D, it is beneficial for enhancing ducks' immunity and stabilizing the laying rate. Specific feeding method: feed each duck 1 milliliter per day. First mix the cod liver oil into 1.5 kg of bran, then mix it evenly into the feed. After feeding for 3 to 5 days, if laying is normal and the feathers are glossy, feeding can be stopped; long-term feeding will affect economic benefits.