Many owners prefer hatching ducklings in an incubator to natural hatching. This is especially true for ducks like mulard. This hybrid species, distinguished by more advanced characteristics, was the result of crossing drakes of musky ducks with mallards. Such birds do not live in natural conditions. New individuals are bred only by humans, because hybrids are sterile. The main goal is to compensate for the shortcomings of both duck breeds. As a result, the mulards turned out to be cleaner and quieter.
Incubation and its main features
In order for the hatching of ducklings in incubators to go like clockwork at home, you need to learn as much as possible about this process.
In poultry farming, incubation refers to the natural process of development from the laying of eggs to the appearance of chicks. In practice, not all ducks become brood hens. And the brood size is not as large as we would like. Private farms solve these problems with the help of incubators.
The whole process goes through three stages:
- selection of eggs and their disinfection;
- actual incubation;
- hatching of chicks.
The success of breeding mulards at home, if an incubator is used, is determined by many factors: temperature, ventilation, humidity.
The only similarity between incubation and brooding is the result. That is, the birth of chicks. But these two processes have differences that significantly affect the number and survival of duck offspring.
Natural hatching is the best option. The duck instinctively hydrates the eggs better. Hatchability reaches 100%, but chicks do not begin to hatch at the same time.
An incubator is an artificial replacement for a hen. It will be an excellent solution if the duck refuses to hatch her ducklings. An additional plus is the large capacity (up to hundreds of eggs). The female hatches on average about fifteen.
Advantages of a hybrid
Mulard ducks (photos and descriptions indicate the popularity of breeding the breed) have many advantages.
It means:
- rapid weight gain;
- increased resistance to major diseases;
- cleaning;
- calm behavior;
- relatively low feed consumption and ease of feeding poultry;
- ability to adapt to any climate;
- unpretentiousness in content;
- excellent yield;
- the possibility of using by-products such as feathers and fluff;
- the ability of some individuals to lay eggs;
- low fat content in meat;
- wonderful taste of liver;
- no unpleasant smell of dirt;
- well-developed muscles and a strong physique.
What determines a good hatching of ducklings?
If you are going to breed mulards using an incubator, you should choose a reliable device, and before use you need to carefully study the instructions. All recommendations related to humidity and temperature conditions for incubating eggs must be strictly followed. The same applies to good ventilation and uniform heating of the masonry. Particular attention should be paid to the quality of eggs. Careful selection in all respects will contribute to maximum results.
Eggs are selected:
- by weight (75-90 grams);
- in appearance of the shell - it must be clean, dense and smooth (if there are cracks, lime build-up, this is defective material);
- in shape - pay attention to any deviations from the standard; anything too long or round is not suitable;
Look at the egg in the light or through an ovoscope. The protein is transparent and without impurities. The yolk is one and located in the center. Small air chamber. Its place is under or near the blunt end of the egg.
Regarding natural incubation: it is important to observe the rules of hygiene in the nests. Laying hen bedding is replaced with fresh ones every day. This will prevent the development of infections. There should be no bird in the nest when the eggs are weaned.
Is it difficult to grow your own?
To raise Mulardi on your own, you need a male Muscovy duck and a female Pekingese or an ordinary mallard. The natural mating of an interspecific pair will result in chicks with positive characteristics from both parents.
Also, the female does not have to incubate the eggs. It is best to use an incubator for this. In such conditions, the first ducklings will appear within a month.
When choosing birds for breeding, it is best to choose those that are 7 months old. For incubation, it is recommended to use eggs that have not been refrigerated and that were laid during the hot summer months. To speed up the process, 4-6 ducks and 1 male are placed in the aviary.
Description of the profitability of the Mulard duck farm.
A small pedestrian area and a separate closed house are being built for the family. There should be no more than 3 birds per 1 sq.m. In cramped conditions, the mullard may experience stress, and this will affect the quality of fertilization.
Storage conditions for raw materials
Eggs must be properly preserved before being placed in the incubator. The basic rule is no refrigerator. It is better to build pallets from sheets of plywood and place them in a cool room. It should have good ventilation, the temperature should be kept at + 12 degrees, and the humidity should be kept within 70%. The tray is kept perfectly clean. Any fungi and bacteria easily pass through the porous shell.
The eggs are laid out on a tray with the blunt end down. Definitely in one row. Eggs should be turned over from time to time. It is best to do this 4 to 6 times a day. This simple procedure greatly increases the chances of a large brood.
It is important how many days you store the selected material - no more than seven is acceptable.
Productivity indicators
Birds grow quickly and by the end of the 4th month they can weigh about 5-6 kg. Females are lighter than males by about 0.5 kg. Many raise mulards until they are 2 months old, and when their weight reaches 6 kg, slaughter begins.
During this time, the meat will be lean and most nutritious. However, experts recommend starting the procedure at the age of 60-90 days. Between these periods, birds often molt. It is better not to touch them due to stress.
In addition to meat, mulard has very tasty liver. It weighs just over 0.5 kg and is comparable in taste to goose. Foie gras is often made from it.
It is believed that keeping this breed in families is unprofitable. Birds that reach slaughter weight will in the future eat more than they grow. The only drawback is that the meat is too fatty, which can happen in birds that have stood motionless for a long time.
Should you wash eggs?
Eggs suitable for laying are disinfected. This is done using formaldehyde vapor. Formalin mixed with water is poured into the container. Then it is transferred to the chamber where the eggs are already located. During a chemical reaction, vapors are released. They destroy harmful microorganisms. This cleaning will only take half an hour. A hood will help get rid of steam in the chamber.
Another reliable and safer method of disinfection is quartz treatment. To do this, you will have to purchase a mercury-quartz lamp. The optimal distance from it to the shell is at least 70 cm. The whole procedure will take 10 minutes.
Now let’s talk about whether it’s possible to wash duck eggs before laying them. This cleaning method is almost never used. It is justified only if the shell is very dirty. Each hatching egg is then wrapped in mesh material and dipped in a washing solution. Then take it out and let the water drain. You cannot rub the shell with a cloth. This destroys the protective shell.
a brief description of
Before we move on to the description of breeding and keeping ducklings of this breed, let’s say a few words about the general appearance of the bird and what advantages it has. Mulard ducks appeared as a result of crossing Indian ducks with Peking ducks. It is not surprising that the result was a bird whose meat has excellent taste. This hybrid is good because it quickly gains weight of 3-4 kg. Selection work was carried out in France, which is the homeland of mulards.
You don't need to know what mulards look like to find them in your poultry yard, photo or video. The bird attracts attention with its unusual appearance. First of all, this concerns dimensions. It is difficult to find another representative of ducks of this size. Mulard ducks are superior in this parameter to all breeds, including those that were used during breeding. The weight of an adult duck is 4 kg. At the same time, a Mulard meat duck matures in just 3 months. It is difficult to find another bird that gains weight so quickly.
In appearance, the mulard's body is dense and its plumage is thick. On a small head there are dark almond-shaped eyes. The beak of Mulard meat ducks is colored either flesh-colored or light yellow, and is slightly elongated. The head is set on a long neck, the short legs are colored yellow. There are wings on the duck's body. They are pressed so tightly to the body that it is difficult to see them from afar. Feathers are painted in 2 colors: black and white. In this case, both black and white colors can predominate. It is by color that a Mulard duck can be distinguished from any other bird.
Preparation for bookmarking
The next stage is preparing the incubator. The device must be clean. It is preheated to +35 degrees. A tray with water is placed at the bottom. The fluid level must be carefully monitored.
You should also adhere to the following rules:
- the raw materials are heated at room temperature before being placed in the incubator;
- it is important to lay the eggs correctly, in the correct sequence: large ones come first, then a break is taken, and after 4 hours medium and small specimens are laid out;
- The hatching egg is placed with the blunt side up; this position improves the hatchability of ducklings.
It is important to constantly monitor humidity. A special device can be bought or made from a regular thermometer. A piece of material is tied to its lower end. Its free end is dipped into a container of water. The device now shows the humidity level. Within 7 days after laying, the optimal indicator is considered to be 30 degrees. Then it is reduced by three degrees.
Throughout the incubation of mulards, the eggs are turned frequently. In some devices this function is automatic. If there is none, the procedure is carried out manually (gradually increasing to 6 times a day). The germinal discs and embryo thus do not dry to the shell.
With an automatic turning system, the eggs must be covered with nets to prevent them from falling out. Markings will help make manual turning easier. Before being stored, raw materials are marked at both ends with different icons (checkmarks and crosses or others).
Duck sales
Before growing mulards, think over the algorithm for marketing meat products.
Sales features include several nuances.
Veterinarian visits. They are carried out twice per season. The first inspection is carried out before slaughtering ducks for meat. If the bird is healthy, the doctor will issue a document stating that it is allowed to be slaughtered. The veterinarian examines the carcass for the second time, after which he gives a certificate of compliance with sanitary standards and slaughter rules.
Transportation of meat products and duck eggs also requires appropriate permission. It must be obtained from the district veterinary service, which marks each carcass with its own seal after examining the batch.
Another mandatory document is a permit for the sale of carcasses and eggs.
Trade is carried out not only in markets, but also via the Internet. It is important to establish contact with partners and find sales areas. They are chains of shops, supermarkets, as well as restaurants and cafes. Mulard ducks raised in good conditions are a tasty morsel for such establishments.
Ideal conditions in the incubator
In the first week, the temperature is kept at +38 degrees. Then it decreases by two tenths of a degree (to +37.8). At this time, humidity should not exceed 60%. These indicators are optimal for the next two weeks. The eggs are turned 4 times.
The third stage of egg incubation begins on the 15th day and ends on the 25th day. Temperature and humidity remain the same. The number of revolutions increases up to 6 times. This is the best time to ventilate and cool the future chicks. To do this, open the incubator 2 times a day for about 20 minutes.
A duck egg is a storehouse of fat, but it has relatively little water, which is why it easily overheats, so if you do not monitor the heat levels in the incubator and do not ventilate, it can rise under the shell to + 42 degrees, and overheating is unacceptable.
The last period covers 26-28 days of incubation. The temperature is reduced to +37.5 for a small number of eggs and to +37.2 if the clutch is large. Humidity during this period is 90%. The shell will become softer, and it will be easier for the duckling to break through it.
When the chicks begin to hatch, a lot of liquid leaks through the pores in the shell. Spraying the eggs throughout the hatching period will help make up for these losses. Pure water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate will do. The latter will prevent bacteria and infections from developing.
Please note the following table:
Plucking the carcass
Dry duck plucking method
To ensure that the feathers easily come away from the skin, the carcass must be doused with hot water. Boiling water should not be used, otherwise the meat will look unattractive. After treatment with hot water, do not immediately pluck the duck - you can burn your hands. Remaining hairs and fluff can be removed by singeing.
IMPORTANT: If you use a knife when plucking, you must be careful not to damage the skin, otherwise it will spread.
If the carcass will be stored in frozen conditions, it is better to pluck it dry - feathers are plucked with a knife, starting from the chest, and then on the back and shoulders. The tail and wings are processed last.
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How to identify non-viable embryos
If we hatch Mulards using an incubator, the eggs must be examined regularly. The best time for this procedure is the 8th, 15th and 25th day. If the embryo does not develop, the egg is disposed of.
This study is called ovoscopy. Essentially, this is candling an egg to see the condition of its contents. The simplest ovoscope can be made independently from available materials. You will need a standard cardboard box. A light source is installed at the bottom - an incandescent lamp with a power of at least 10 W. A hole is cut in the top of the box, slightly smaller than the hatching egg itself. The egg is then placed in this recess and rotated slowly. In the light you can see what the embryo is like. The procedure is carried out only in a warm place and quickly.
Stages of embryo development
The first week in the development of the embryo is the most critical. At this time, the internal organs of future chicks are formed. The heartbeat can be traced. The length of the fetus reaches 2 cm. Gradually, the embryo begins to breathe more intensely. First, oxygen from the yolk comes into play, and then breathing occurs through the pores in the shell. Now the main thing is not to overcool or overheat the eggs.
The first transillumination occurs on the eighth day. The blood network is clearly visible, and only a shadow is visible from the embryo itself. The skeleton begins to actively form.
Upon next inspection, the fruit is quite large, and the inner surface of the shell is covered with an embryonic membrane. Thanks to it, the process of gas exchange and respiration occurs.
During the last period of incubation, the chick is almost completely formed. Its outlines are clearly visible. You may also notice slight movement. A dead embryo is a motionless dark clot. A sign of delayed development of ducklings is a light transparent spot. It is concentrated at the sharp end of the egg. There are no blood vessels.
If the embryo dies in the first week, the yolk will be surrounded by a bloody ring. At a later stage, blood vessels are not visible. Sometimes even a fully formed chick may not hatch. There can be many reasons for this: from non-compliance with duck incubation conditions to hereditary factors or infection.
The appearance of chicks and their preservation
On the 27th day, the ducklings in the incubator are already actively pecking. The weight of one duckling ranges from 55 to 70 g. All chicks should be born within 1-2 days. Healthy ducklings hatch on their own, without human help. First, a hole appears in the middle part. Gradually its value is growing. Then the baby rests his paws on the sharp edge of the egg and cracks the shell.
If a chick does not hatch for a whole day, it needs help. The hatching egg is examined with an ovoscope. Then small holes are made around the circumference to make it easier for the duckling to handle the shell. If blood vessels in large quantities are visible during ovoscopy, the integrity of the egg cannot be violated without permission. The chick may die from blood loss.
When the babies hatch, they are transferred to dry rooms with good ventilation. Air temperature is within +30-33 degrees. Here the ducklings dry out. When the hatching process is completely completed, you can begin sorting the chicks. Weak and non-viable mulards are immediately discarded.
When can slaughter be carried out?
Upon reaching 5 months (60 weeks), preparations for slaughter of mulards begin. As a rule, the bird already weighs at least 3.5 kg. An important condition is the lack of access to feed and water 4-5 hours before slaughter. To ensure tasty duck liver in the cages, feeding is stopped 1-2 hours before slaughter.
Before the procedure, the bird must be disinfected. The carcasses are pinched and watered with hot, not boiled water so that it does not lose its presentation. The meat of these ducks is well digestible; it is a dietary product containing a number of useful substances.
High-quality and low-quality young stock
A healthy day-old duckling is determined by the following characteristics:
- he stands firmly on his paws and is quite mobile;
- has a good appetite;
- the body is evenly covered with down;
- eyes bulging and clear;
- the beak is not dirty;
- the tummy is tight, not saggy;
- The umbilical cord is healing well.
The hatched mullard cannot feed in the first few hours of life. It is important to teach babies to eat and drink. Liquid porridge, finely chopped eggs and herbs are suitable for this. The chicks are kept warm (at about +30 degrees). In the first days, the room where the ducks live is constantly illuminated. Then the daylight hours are reduced to 18 hours. From the age of two months, young animals need light 8 hours a day.
Mulard weight
To monitor growth and development, it is recommended to use a table of live weight indicators.
| Age, weeks | Drakes, g | Ducks, g |
| Daily allowance | 48 | 46 |
| 2 | 300 | 250 |
| 4 | 800 | 750 |
| 7 | 1750 | 1400 |
| 8 | 2100 | 1600 |
| 9 | 2350 | 1800 |
| 10 | 2750 | 2000 |
| 11 | 3100 | 2200 |
| 12 | 3400 | 2450 |
