In early winter, laying ducks are prone to "reverse molting", so farmers should beware of a drop in egg production rate
"Reverse molting" in laying ducks refers to female ducks raised in spring that enter the laying period in November, when the temperature gradually turns colder, and the day-night temperature difference is too large or nutrition is insufficient, causing ducks that have just started laying to stop producing and go on "vacation". If laying ducks begin "reverse molting", they start to molt, and once molting begins they will not lay eggs again until the following spring. If duck "reverse molting" can be controlled during this period, the laying period can be greatly extended and the economic benefits of @#@231@#@ increased.
When ducks show signs of "reverse molting" such as eggs becoming smaller, eggshells becoming thinner, delayed laying time, wet feathers after drinking water and coming ashore, and crowding 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 only female ducks with good production performance and strong physique. At the same time, appropriately keep more male ducks so they chase each other and increase the flock's activity level.
Increase protein feed
Appropriately increase the proportion of corn, broad beans and soybean cake, control the ducks' feed intake, and raise the nutritional concentration of the feed.
Cold protection and warmth
Seal the holes in the duck shed, hang straw curtains on doors and windows, and spread a thick layer of dry, soft thatch or straw on the shed floor to ensure the ducks' abdomens are not exposed to cold. At the same time, pay attention to related hygiene 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, and winter has short days and long nights, so light is clearly insufficient. Therefore, install 40-watt to 60-watt bulbs in the duck shed (one bulb per 20 sq m), with the bulbs 2 m above the ducks' backs, and fit lampshades so the light is concentrated on the ducks' bodies; the light should be uniform, and the lights should be on for 3 to 4 hours every evening.
"Driving the shed"
"Driving the shed" can enhance the laying ducks' cold resistance and digestion and prevent them from stopping laying. The method is to gently call out inside the duck shed to get the flock moving, slowly walking in a circle in the same direction, generally 4 to 5 circles 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, 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, it can be stopped, as long-term feeding will affect economic benefits.