DUCK

PRODUCTION

 Duck raising is a lucrative livestock industry in the Philippines because

of its egg. Its most important product, the “balut” (boiled incubated duck’s
egg), is sold daily throughout the archipelago for its delicious flavor and
nutritive value.

 What is production?
 Production is the method of turning raw materials or inputs into
finished goods or products in a manufacturing process.
 The raw materials used in production process are also known as
resources or factors of production.

 What is DUCK?
 a water bird with a broad bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling
gait.
 a pure white thin-shelled bivalve mollusk found off the Atlantic of America.

Lifespan: MALLA
Clutch size: MALLARD 8-13 years
Phylum: CHORDATA
Wingspan: MALLARD 81-98 cm
Mass: MALLARD 0.72-1.6 kg, CANVASBACK: 1.2 kg, MARBLED DUCK: 480g and etc.
Length: MALLARD 50-65 cm, CANVASBACK: 48-56cm

 BROODING AND REARING DUCKS

 Ducklings can be successfully brooded in any brooder house and under any
type of brooder used for chickens.
Brooder house- design the brooder house so that it is well ventilated but excludes the
draughts that cause chills. Wall openings 1.2 m from the floor provide good ventilation.

Brooder- Irrespective of the type of brooder — gas, electricity, hot water or hot air — it
should provide enough constant heat and ventilation, and ample space to avoid
overcrowding. As a general rule, the number of ducklings that can be brooded is half the
stated chick capacity of a brooder.

 WATERERS AND FEEDERS

  Ducklings must have a permanent supply of good clean drinking water.
 4.5 L drinking for first few days.
 To avoid damp litter, place drinkers on a wire grid over the concrete floor.
 Ducklings can die if they are without water for even short periods.
can die if they are without water for even short periods. Staggering and convulsions are typical
symptoms of lack of water.
 Should the water supply fail, give ducklings a drink of warm milk before providing them
with water — this will help avoid intestinal cramp and staggers.
 Place feeders on an elevated platform to prevent them from becoming contaminated with
droppings.
 For each duckling up to 3 weeks of age, provide 1.5 cm of drinking space and 4 cm of
feeding space.
 Rearing
- After brooding, ducklings may be placed in intensive or semi-intensive rearing sheds
or in wire colony cages.
Ground rearing -In intensive housing, allow 1250 cm2 of floor space per bird for
growing ducks up to 8 weeks of age. Those housed semi-intensively need the same
space allocation (i.e. 8 birds/m2).

 Carrying and handling

Ducks can be carried:
• by the top of the neck;
• by grasping both wings in one hand;
• by holding them under one’s arm with the duck’s head facing the rear; or
• by holding one wing and the leg from the same side.