Daily management of laying ducks
2025-03-28
When breeding ducks for egg production, they are selected before they reach laying age. Those meeting the requirements are transferred to the adult breeding duck stage for egg-laying management; those that do not meet the requirements are processed as meat ducks. The purpose of raising laying ducks is to increase egg production, improve the fertilization and hatching rates of hatching eggs, and ensure strong ducklings. The feeding and management of laying ducks can be divided into two methods: semi-pasture and semi-housing, and mainly housing.
Semi-pasture and semi-housing management
Pasture feeding of laying ducks mainly utilizes natural pastures rich in animal and green fodder, such as rivers, lakes, and farmlands, to raise breeding ducks. Supplementary feeding is strengthened to meet the nutritional needs for egg production and fully utilize their egg-laying potential. In pasture feeding, laying ducks spend most of the day outdoors, allowing the flock to move, forage, and mate to improve fertilization rates. Due to the varying climatic conditions, natural feed availability, and egg production of the flock throughout the year, feeding management varies across seasons.
(1) Spring. In southern provinces, the climate is mild, and it is the peak season for duck egg production, with egg production rates exceeding 85%. The amount of daily grazing and roaming is also large. As the weather warms in spring, natural feed gradually increases. Therefore, a method of grazing plus supplementary feeding can be adopted, appropriately supplementing grains, bran, and animal protein feed, preferably complete feed, to improve egg production and ensure egg quality. About 70% full should be fed before grazing in the morning, and as much as possible in the evening. If they do not return to the house at noon, supplementary feed can be provided in the pasture.
(2) Summer. In early summer, the egg production of the duck flock remains high, but there is a trend of weight loss. To extend the egg-laying period, grazing must be strengthened, making the most of natural feed and extending grazing time. Ducks should be released early in the morning and return late in the evening. Heatstroke prevention should be noted at noon, and the flock should not be allowed to float in shallow, high-temperature water. They should be driven to a shady place to rest to avoid affecting egg production. Summer has frequent thunderstorms, so the flock should be driven back to the duck house or a windbreak shelter before thunderstorms. During the summer harvest, the ducks are placed in rice (wheat) fields to forage for leftover grains in the morning and afternoon; at noon, they are driven to deep rivers or ponds to float; in the evening, after grazing, supplementary feed is provided according to their hunger, and they are left to rest in the exercise yard until the weather cools down at night, before being driven back to the house. In late summer, many ducks experience physiological molting and stop laying eggs, so planned artificial forced molting should be carried out.
(3) Autumn. Duck flocks that have undergone artificial forced molting in the summer have begun to resume egg production, marking the second peak of egg production of the year. Autumn is also the late rice harvest season. Letting the flock forage for leftover grains during the autumn harvest can reduce supplementary feeding. However, after late autumn, water plants gradually decrease, and animal feed is lacking, so supplementary feeding should be appropriately increased. In the evening, supplementary feed of compound feed or soybean cake and fish meal should be provided to improve egg production and extend the laying period.
(4) Winter. For laying ducks, feed should be increased to increase egg production. Even if egg production stops, some fine feed should be supplemented to prevent laying ducks from becoming excessively thin during winter, laying a good foundation for egg production in the following spring. After winter begins, the climate turns cold, and grazing time should be reduced. Morning grazing should be delayed, afternoon grazing should be earlier, and the ducks should return to the house early in the evening to avoid the cold. Windy and sunny areas should be chosen for grazing. Ducks are less active in winter, so they should be frequently driven to increase exercise. In the evening, the flock should also be driven in the duck house, which is beneficial for reducing the fatness of the breeding ducks. In winter, feed is generally given three times a day: once before morning grazing, ensuring the ducks are full. Supplementary feed should mainly consist of grains, with appropriate amounts of animal and green feed.
Mainly housing management
Generally, meat-type breeds mostly use housing as the main feeding method. The duck house should be built near rivers or ponds, or artificial pools should be set up for bathing, exercise, and mating. When housing, the daily diet should be matched according to the egg production rate. When laying ducks are too fat, the amount of green feed can be increased. When green feed is lacking, 10 grams of compound vitamins should be added per 50 kilograms of compound feed. Beijing ducks are generally fed three times a day, with an additional feeding in the evening during the peak production period, and twice a day during the off-season. Each duck needs about 200 grams of compound feed per day. Muscovy ducks are generally fed twice a day, with each duck needing about 120-130 grams of compound feed per day. Management should focus on cold protection in winter and early spring; more outdoor activities in spring; in summer, sheds can be built in the exercise yard for shade and heatstroke prevention. The duck house should be well-ventilated and cool. In midsummer evenings, the flock can be allowed to spend the night in the exercise yard. During the rainy season, appropriate supplementary lighting should be provided, and attention should be paid to moisture prevention to prevent feed from becoming moldy and deteriorating. Bedding should be frequently changed to keep the duck house dry. Feed troughs and waterers should be cleaned daily; in autumn, as daylight hours shorten, supplementary lighting can be provided in the morning or evening, with supplementary lighting and natural lighting totaling 16 hours per day. In autumn, the daily temperature difference is large, so attention should be paid to sudden temperature changes; in winter, attention should be paid to cold protection and insulation. On sunny days, the flock can be allowed to exercise outdoors. Before releasing them, the windows in the house should be gradually opened until the indoor and outdoor temperatures are similar before releasing them to avoid colds.
When housing, water should be provided regularly and at fixed times to avoid affecting egg production and causing reduced production. Artificial pools should be frequently changed with clean water to prevent water from becoming foul and affecting the health of the ducks.
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