06/04/2017
REARING OF DUCKLINGS
Relatively few people realize that, on the whole, ducks are more proficient layers than chickens. Individual females have been known to produce 340 or more eggs in a year’s time, although flock averages are nearer 275 to 325.
While starting a duck rearing unit. For better production duckling should be raised properly. While rearing ducklings for the best environment use a heat lamp with between a 40 and 100 watts light bulb. You can adjust the bulb wattage according to the way the ducklings react. If the baby ducks are huddling under the heat lamp, you probably should raise the wattage on the bulb. If the baby ducks are scattered and seem to be panting, you should lower the wattage. Be sure that they can get away from the heat source if they get too warm. The ideal brooder when raising baby ducks for the first few weeks is a plastic crate or box. The duck shelter can be a simple shed-like structure (approximately three feet high) and does not require furnishings such as raised nests, perches and dropping pits. Just make sure the duck coop is predator resistant. Remember, rats, cats and mongoose will eat your ducklings until they are bigger and can fly away from them. When raising baby ducks, make sure you provide the ducklings with fresh, clean drinking water. You can use a shallow dish that you have added some clean pebbles to. The pebbles will prevent the ducklings from submerging their head and drowning. They need to submerge their head in order to clear their sinuses but any deeper than the nostrils can drown them. Ducklings can die if they are without water for even short periods. Ducklings make quite a mess when eating, and their droppings are prolific and wet. Feeders must be constructed and maintained so ducks have easy access to feed at all times. Feeders must be kept clean and free from litter/manure. Mouldy feeds must not be fed. Stale or contaminated feed must not be allowed to accumulate and must be replaced immediately with fresh feed. Place feeders on an elevated platform to prevent them from becoming contaminated with droppings. Both feeders and drinkers must be easily accessible.