How much does a duck weigh on average, table of indicators by day and influencing factors

Ducks are raised for meat and eggs. The birds have dense contour plumage and thick body down. Both down and feathers are used to make pillows and blankets. Many manufacturers cooperate with factories for sewing winter clothing. Breeding ducks will bring good income to the family budget.

It is necessary to choose the right breed of bird, study the feeding regime and the rules for keeping livestock. Which ducks are best to buy for meat, and which ones can you collect a large number of eggs from? Where will the bird live and how to feed it?

domestic duck

How much does a white duck weigh?

Comparison table for duck breeds

Poultry care and maintenance

Ducks of both meat and egg breeds are unpretentious to keep. When breeding birds, they choose one of two housing methods: on litter or in a cage. Housekeepers often use a combined technique. In the summer, the bird is placed in an aviary in a clearing with lush vegetation. In winter, the livestock is brought indoors, individuals are placed on bedding in a common pen or placed in cages.

A poultry house is being built for ducks. Rows of cages are placed in it or enclosures are fenced off. Equipment must be installed in the poultry house: feeders, drinkers, lighting, and ventilation. The duck house is insulated. In the northern regions, heating is provided in the room. In the poultry house, it is necessary to maintain crowding of birds, cleanliness and freshness of air. When raising livestock, the following points must be taken into account:

• no more than 3 individuals are placed per 1 m2; large crowding often causes infectious diseases and pecking;
• The cage size is 70*70, height is at least 35 cm; no more than 3 heads are placed in it;
• for young animals, the maintenance rules are different: per 1 m2 there can be no more than 10 animals;
• when keeping livestock on bedding, the floor is covered with hay or straw; litter depth is at least 10 cm; the first layer is slaked lime, 0.5 kg per 1m2;
• in cages the floor is made of fine mesh; a pallet is installed under the mesh; it collects droppings, feathers and dirt;
• install feeders of a certain size; 1 individual should have 8 cm;
• similar rules are established for drinking bowls; 3 cm is allocated for 1 head;
• the optimal temperature in the house for ducks is 7-14 C; humidity 70%;
• The young animals are provided with a temperature of 22 C and a humidity of 65%.

After the sale of young animals, the poultry house is subject to technical quarantine. At this time, the premises are thoroughly disinfected and cleaned. Before placing ducks in cages or on bedding, the house is ventilated, feeders and drinkers are treated with an antiseptic. The duration of technical quarantine is at least 20 days.

Pace

Breeders who have been working with the X-11 duck breed for a long time were able to achieve good results and develop a new species. Tempo, compared to other breeds, is characterized by good productive characteristics and early maturity.

Description. The birds have a large, oval body with a small tail and yellow, large paws. The bird has a small head with a large, yellow beak and two black eyes. The head is supported on a pronounced, long neck with a slight bend. Wings with dense snow-white plumage.

Productivity. Birds at two months of age already weigh about 3 kg. Typically drakes are larger than ducks. Laying hens produce 150-160 large eggs per year.

Content. The bird can do without a pond, but water containers are installed in the walking area. It is also necessary to equip the place with a canopy to protect the birds from rain or sun.

Advantages. Birds are easy to care for and can get used to low temperatures.

Flaws. Good weight gain requires proper nutrition, which can be expensive.

Agidel

When working with these ducks, breeders tried to improve not only egg and meat productivity indicators, but also increase the animals' resistance to diseases and infections. They managed to achieve this.

Description. Ducks are characterized by a deep, protruding chest, a long and wide back, and a well-set and almost horizontal body. The animals have a long and large head with dark, high-set eyes and a wide beak of a white-pink hue. The neck is slightly thickened and relatively long. The body is firmly supported by short legs of a light orange hue. The plumage is white.

Productivity. The breed is valued for its high productive qualities. At the age of 2 months, birds weigh 3 kg. During this period, if the bird is not kept for breeding or keeping eggs, it is sent for slaughter. A duck produces up to 250 large eggs weighing up to 100 g in one season.

Content. Animals do not need permanent poultry houses because they can easily tolerate temperature changes. The only thing that is important to avoid is drafts. There must be a bowl of water in the room so that the birds can moisten their feathers.

Advantages. Agidel ducks quickly gain weight, produce a lot of eggs per year, and have increased resistance to diseases. The taste of meat is especially valued by farmers.

Flaws. Receiving a brood from an incubator due to poorly developed maternal instinct, fatty meat.

What to feed broilers?

Broiler purebred ducks are fed on the farm with combined feeds and kept in cages. For young animals, the starter version is used. From the age of one month, the mixture is used for adolescents. For the last 3 weeks, the young animals are fed the finishing mixture. The bird must be given plenty of drinking water.

In farmsteads and at home, a combined diet is used. It is suitable for floor keeping of livestock. Feeding is carried out 3 times a day. In the morning and afternoon, the ducks are given succulent food. In the evening, young animals eat grain mixtures filled with mineral supplements:

• in the first 10 days - the main part of the feed is green grass. It is given 20 g. The herb is mixed with bone meal, cottage cheese, and a boiled egg. Add 3 g of each ingredient. Add yogurt and 5 g to the mash. Separately prepare the grain mixture. It includes ground barley, 1.5 g, bran 5 g, fish meal 0.5 g, yeast 0.2 g. Chalk and cake are added 1 g each;
• Over the next 10 days (until day 20), potatoes are gradually introduced. The diet consists of a grain mixture, 60 g. The mixture is prepared from barley, corn, peas, and oats. Greens are given 30 g. Boiled potatoes - 20 g. They continue to give yogurt, 10 g and cottage cheese 8 g. 3 g of sunflower cake, 15 g of bran, 0.4 g of yeast, 1 g of bone meal, 2 g of chalk are added to the grain mixture. Ducklings begin to be given gravel, 1 g per head;
• Days 21-30 – grain mixture 85 g, 50 g greens, 40 g potatoes. Cottage cheese is given 10 g, curdled milk 20 g. The portion of bran is increased to 30 g, cake to 8 g. 2 g of chalk, 1 g of baker's yeast, 1.5 g of bone meal are added to the grain mixture. Start giving table salt, 0.2 g;
• Until day 50, a domestic duck eats 110 g of grain, 70 g of greens, and 60 g of potatoes. Ducks eat 35 g of bran, 15 g of cake. Add 5 g of chalk, 2 g of bone meal, 1 g of salt. 2 g of gravel per head;
• up to 70 days - the portion of the grain mixture is 140 g, greens 80 g, potatoes 80 g. Bran is introduced 40 g, cake 20 g. Yeast and table salt continue to be given. The amount of chalk is increased to 6 g, bone meal to 3 g.

Broiler ducks

This diet will allow broiler ducks to gain a live weight of more than 3 kg. If the region is unfavorable for any poultry disease, the veterinarian may prescribe the use of antibiotics. It is recommended to solder with potassium permanganate once a week. Vitamin mixtures can be added to the food or water.

Indian runner

Previously, this breed was called the penguin. This name comes from the unusual shape of this duck species. Even at the beginning of the 20th century in Europe, the breed was considered rare, the birds exotic - ducks were exhibited in zoos.

Description. Externally, the Indian Runner differs from other duck breeds: it has a unique body shape, resembling an elongated bottle. The feathered animal has a slender and tall body with a vertical orientation and a rounded chest. The feathers are smooth, lying close to the body. The color of the plumage varies.

Productivity. The weight of adult runners can reach one and a half to two kilos. Females are smaller than drakes. Already in the first month of good fattening, ducklings catch up with adult birds in weight and size. Egg indicators are much better - a laying hen produces 200-250 large eggs per year, sometimes the number reaches 300-350 pieces.

Content. If ducks have the opportunity to graze on pasture near a pond, maintenance costs will be minimal. Indian runners can find their own food all day long.

Advantages. Animals run fast and are active. They have increased resistance to diseases. They grow quickly. They are not afraid of snow and frost.

Flaws. Ducks are shy and can panic at the slightest noise. It is not advisable to raise birds for meat.

Russian Crested

The main feature is the crest on the head. Some people notice that the larger it is, the lower the productivity indicators.

Description. The Russian Crested Duck has a medium-length body and a strong build. Well developed muscles. The back is wide, slightly convex, the chest is rounded. There are no folds on the lush belly. There are specimens with a pure white color, and there are also multi-colored birds: they have thick feathers that fit tightly to the body. Ducks have long wings and an elongated, rounded head. Brown eyes and concave beak.

Productivity. The weight of ducks reaches a little more than 2 kg, drakes weigh about 3 kg. They have tender, juicy and tasty meat. Over the course of a year, one hen produces about 55 white or greenish eggs weighing up to 70-80 g.

Content. Ducks are unpretentious in their diet and are comfortable with water bodies. It is not recommended to overfeed them, as birds are prone to obesity. The room where birds are kept must be clean and dry, otherwise the animals may suffer from diseases.

Advantages. Birds are unpretentious in maintenance and nutrition. Characterized by high productivity and rapid growth.

Flaws. Low weight of Russian ducks.

Let's summarize. Which breed is better to choose?

If you care about the animal’s unpretentiousness to conditions and food, tranquility and further offspring, tasty meat, then feel free to choose the Ukrainian steppe beauty.

Perhaps you are not concerned about further offspring, but are interested in a low percentage of fat content in meat and raising poultry in a short time - opt for mulards.

If you want large offspring for sale and excellent meat, not inferior to mulards, your choice falls on musk ducks.

If you need an inexpensive breed and know where to put the fat, then the Peking duck is ideal for you.

Ducks are often raised as domestic animals. They have tasty meat and are not difficult to raise. The meat sector is in greatest demand, because it is duck meat that is valued first and foremost, and not their eggs or feathers. Meat breeds of ducks quickly gain weight, have tender meat and many other features. The article will describe the characteristics of meat breeds and the best representatives of this trend.

Mulards

They are popular among farmers and poultry farmers. The fattening period is only 4 months, but the bird reaches a weight of 4-6 kilograms. Mulard duck is suitable for those who do not like fatty duck meat, since the ratio of fat to meat is 90:10. They are unpretentious in food, they lift their weight well on greenery.

It is because of their herbivory that they grow slower than other broiler birds, although they consume no less feed. Individuals of this breed do not breed with each other and do not lay eggs, which can be considered a disadvantage. But what can please us is that the bird does not scream like a Peking duck, but on the contrary, it is calm and balanced, which creates fewer problems for its owners.

Swedish blue

A meat breed bred in Sweden. Today Swedish blue ducks are popular in Germany and Russia.

Description. Birds have a large, dense build. They have a non-convex chest, a wide and straight back, a short and straight tail. The head of the birds is oval in shape, the beak is flattened. The main definition of the breed is the blue tint of the plumage.

Productivity. Adults reach an average weight of 3-3.6 kg, drakes - about 4 kg. Over the course of a year, a laying hen produces 100 to 150 small, oval eggs with a blue or greenish shell.

Content. Birds are not picky about their maintenance. During the warm season, a fenced area is set up for them, the area of ​​which should be spacious. This place is often equipped with artificial pools and planted with various vegetation.

Advantages. Unpretentiousness in care and nutrition, resistance to diseases.

Flaws. Slow weight gain. In order to send a bird for slaughter, you have to wait a long time.

Bashkir

Breed of meat and egg orientation. Farmers of private farmsteads and industrial enterprises especially fell in love with these birds, due to the fact that they feed on almost any food and are able to independently satisfy their needs while walking in a meadow or on a pond.

Description. Ducks have protruding chests and a strong and muscular build. Large, widely spaced paws on short orange legs. The head is flattened on the upper side, located on a short, concave neck, curved outward. A concave orange beak with a wide growth that allows the birds to grab grass. The wings fit tightly to the body. The plumage is black-gray.

Productivity. Adult drakes weigh more than 4 kg, and ducks reach 3.7 kg. There is practically no fat in the carcass. The meat yield is at least 70%. One laying hen produces from 115 to 125 eggs weighing 70-80 g per year.

Content. The bird is unpretentious in care, so it will feel good in special cages and pens. In the room for ducks, it is imperative to maintain an average temperature in winter, and set the optimal temperature in summer - it should not be hot.

Advantages. High survival rate of ducklings - about 80%. Birds also have increased resistance to infectious diseases, grow and develop quickly.

Flaws. Birds need to constantly drink clean water and change bedding, otherwise the animals may be susceptible to disease.

Musk (indot)

The Muscovy duck comes from South America, where the ancient Indians raised this bird for hundreds of years. In the countries of the former Soviet Union, the Indian duck appeared in the 80s of the last century. The breed allegedly received its name due to the specific aroma of the meat, but contemporaries do not feel anything like that.

Description. The bird's appearance is remarkable. There are bright growths on the top of the head, and it has a narrow beak that curls downward. On the top of the head there are elongated raised feathers; when the bird is frightened or surprised, they puff up even more. Muscovy ducks have blue, gray or brown eyes. The neck is strong and short. The chest is well developed. The back is long and wide. The body is placed almost horizontally. Short legs give it a stocky appearance. Birds come in brown, white, and blue colors. There are specimens with brown and white, black and white with a pattern.

Productivity. Adult males weigh 5-6 kg, ducks - 2-3 kg. At 2 months, the weight of the young reaches 3.8 kg for drakes and 2.2 for females. During the year, laying hens produce 90-100 eggs weighing up to 75 g. Egg products are valuable and healthy.

Content. Birds prefer dry and clean rooms. The poultry house should be spacious and light. Animals are picky about cleanliness for the reason that it affects the laying period. The room temperature is maintained at 18-20 degrees Celsius.

Advantages. Unpretentiousness in nutrition, developed maternal instinct, endurance, ability to live for a long time outside the reservoir.

Flaws. Long-term development and birds’ dislike of cramped conditions and “damp” conditions contribute to the development of diseases.

You can find out exactly what the Muscovy duck breed looks like and how to keep them in the video below:

Star 53

Star-53 is a cross from the Peking duck. The cross was created by a French breeder at the Grimaud freres selection company.

Description. Externally, the bird is similar to its ancestor. She has snow-white plumage. Large dimensions. Bright yellow beak and feet. Massive back, elongated body, powerful and wide chest, protruding forward. The round head rests on a thick, muscular neck. The tail is strong, the wings are long.

Productivity. By the age of two months, the bird weighs about 4 kg. The percentage of meat in the carcass is more than 60%. Over the course of a year, a laying hen produces up to 300 large eggs weighing about 90 g or more.

Content. Birds should not be kept in close quarters. If the birds do not have space, they will behave restlessly, fussily and noisily. In the poultry house, it is important to adhere to the optimal temperature regime - it should not be hot and not cold.

Advantages. Already at 2 months they receive large meat carcasses with minimal fat content. Birds are also valued not only for their appearance, but also for their high egg production and ease of care and maintenance.

Flaws. It is impossible to keep them indoors all the time; it is problematic to purchase really high-quality young animals, the high cost of hatching eggs, and the high cost of feed.

Beijing

From the name it becomes clear that the origin of the breed is Chinese. The bird appeared in Europe in the 19th century and immediately became valuable to many private farm owners. The Peking breed is considered no less popular in Russia.

Description. Animals have special external characteristics. Pekingese have a strong build, broad chest and large back. The large head has a convex forehead and a bright orange beak. The head is located on a small, short neck. The wings have a large span and are well developed. The birds have thick white plumage. Occasionally there are specimens with cream feathers.

Productivity. An adult duck weighs about 3 kg, a drake reaches a weight of up to 4 kg, sometimes more. The young quickly gain weight and already at 2 months the drakes weigh 2.9 kg. During the year, laying hens lay more than 110 eggs weighing about 90 g.

Content. In winter, ducks need to be provided with a special room so that there are no drafts. It is equally important to maintain optimal temperature and lighting. When cold weather sets in, the temperature in the duck house should be at least +10 degrees, in summer - no more than +25 degrees.

Advantages. Early ripening, undemanding to feed, resistance to heat and cold. In addition, there is no need to keep the bird near a pond.

Flaws. Birds have poorly developed maternal instincts; ducks are overly sensitive to excess humidity.

Blue favorite

A breed bred not so long ago - about 20 years ago. Peking duck was used for crossbreeding. At a factory in Bashkiria, breeders selected and crossed ducks for a long time in order to obtain the final positive result. The second name of the bird is Pharaoh.

Description. Blue ducks are considered large birds. At 6 months, the bird is in no way inferior in size to geese of the same age. The Pharaoh has a dense, heavy build, a protruding chest and a long, low-slung body. The neck is strong and of medium length. A wide, large gray beak and large dark eyes. The body is supported by strong, short legs of yellow or gray color. The wings are small and fit tightly to the body. There are specimens with blue, red, gray, white, black and combined plumage.

Productivity. With a balanced diet, birds weigh about 3 kg already at two months of age. The average weight of drakes is up to 5 kg, sometimes 7-8 kg. Females weigh less - about 4 kg. Over the course of a year, one hen produces from 100 to 150 large eggs weighing 80-85 g.

Content. The Blue Favorite is a low-maintenance breed. It is not necessary to equip a special duck pen; a regular pen will be enough for the bird. The animal adapts well to climatic conditions.

Advantages. The Pharaoh has many advantages that make the breed popular for breeding:

• birds have a beautiful appearance;
• animals quickly gain weight;
• Birds produce tasty lean meat.

Flaws. Birds have poorly developed maternal instinct. For this reason, ducklings are hatched only using an incubator or hens of other breeds.

TOP 10+ meatiest and fastest growing duck breeds

Many farmers choose meat duck breeds because they are easy to keep and gain weight in a short time. Breeding these birds will provide the whole family with tasty meat, as well as a good income. Of course, you won’t get many eggs from ducks raised for meat, but they become marketable by two months. To achieve positive results, it is necessary to feed and maintain the birds correctly. To do this, we have collected the most meat breeds.

How to care for ducks and raise ducklings without problems? Read about this in this article. About the benefits of duck meat The composition of duck meat is high in vitamins, minerals and other beneficial substances. Moreover, it is rich in such a valuable component as taurine. This substance helps enhance brain activity and improve memory. In addition, this product has hypoallergenic properties, so it can be given even to small children.

Leghorn. This breed is the ancestor of many modern duck breeds. They grow very quickly and gain weight up to 4 kg. Ducks of this breed gain weight well and at the same time are able to lay a large number of eggs. This bird has high economic indicators. You can get up to 300 eggs and 20 kg of quality meat per year. Mulard. This is a fairly large bird weighing up to 3 kg. Mulards quickly gain weight. Their meat is tender, dietary and very tasty.

These ducks weigh 2.5–3 kg. Their meat has a delicate taste, is low in fat and cholesterol, and is quickly absorbed by the body. Breeds that grow quickly contain little meat, but gain fat and become large. Ducks have a long neck, a long and wide body, short legs and a large tail. Carcasses of such breeds are distinguished by high taste qualities. The most common breed of duck is the Peking duck. It is characterized by fast growth and good quality meat.

Black-and-White Ducks Breeding Black-and-White ducks is popular because of their high ability to quickly gain weight. They grow very quickly, almost twice as fast as other breeds, and by six months they reach a weight of 4 kg. At the same time, they easily tolerate severe frosts, which has a positive effect on their survival. Their meat is white, and the fat has a gray tint. Ducks of this breed are very unpretentious to living conditions.

Muscovy ducks A very large breed. The weight of one adult individual can reach 5-6 kg. Ducks gain weight well, and in a couple of months they can gain weight up to 5 kg without special food. Therefore, this type of duck is called meat duck. These ducks grow quickly and become large, with good fat content. In a month they can gain up to 1 kg in weight, so they can be kept in large poultry houses. Marbled ducks The duck has a very beautiful marbled coloring.

These breeds are considered the best for home breeding. The Muscovy duck is a very hardy breed. They are not picky about living conditions, so they are often found in private farmsteads. A fattened musk duck reaches a weight of up to 5 kg. She is also unpretentious in maintenance, quickly gains weight, is unpretentious and does not require special care. This breed of duck can produce up to 40 kg of meat per year. Muscovy ducks are unpretentious eaters.

In this article you will find information on how to properly keep ducks and what food to use for them. Meat and egg breeds of ducks Duck is primarily a source of meat, not eggs. But if we are talking about home breeding, then you shouldn’t give up eggs either. In addition, they are beneficial for pregnant women as they contain many beneficial substances. These breeds are suitable for those who want to have a lot of meat, but do not like to deal with a lot of poultry care.

American Mulard The meat of Mulard is considered dietary, so they are often raised in kindergartens and sanatoriums. This breed was developed by crossing Muscovy ducks and Pekin ducks. Mulard is a hybrid of domestic duck and Pekin duck. Its meat can be prepared in a variety of ways: boiled, stewed and fried. It is also suitable for pickling. At the same time, the bird quickly gains weight. In a year she can gain 2.5 kg of net weight.

Duck meat is one of the most popular and in demand on an industrial scale. These birds grow quickly, produce tasty and healthy meat, and their eggs are considered dietary. Today, two breeds of ducklings are most famous. These are Vietnamese (also called champagne) and white musky ducks. They are bred both for industrial breeding and at home.

Speckled and gray Peking ducks of these breeds reach a weight of up to 6.5 kg, of which more than half is meat. To keep ducks, it is better to choose spacious poultry houses, since Peking ducks are very large. They also gain weight quickly and can weigh 7–7.5 kg at six months of age. But the meat of these ducks is lean, has a special taste and pleasant smell. They make good soups and broths. They are unpretentious to living conditions, grow quickly and lay eggs.

The marbled duck breed has wide and thick hair, which gives the bird a resemblance to a deer, and the bright color of the feathers looks very impressive. The meat of such a duck can be safely called a delicacy, because it has a rich red color and a delicate taste. But it is better not to use eggs from this breed for food, as they contain a large amount of cholesterol. Turkeys of this breed are distinguished by their large heads and small body sizes.

Black-crested ducks. These birds are considered the ancestors of Muscovy ducks, which are distinguished by their meat and large amounts of fat. It contains a large amount of saturated fat, which is a good source of energy for the body. Ducks gain weight very quickly and have high egg production. The breed of black-crested ducks has white plumage and black “legs”. Depending on the time of year, birds may change their feather color to gray. There is no fluff on them, so the birds do not molt.

Peking duck Meat ducks of the Peking breed are highly productive - they gain weight very quickly and practically do not get sick. The Pekingese breed is considered one of the most popular in the world. This breed was developed in China, but quickly gained popularity throughout the world. Like all ducks, Pekin ducks are unpretentious in keeping, so this species can be bred in any conditions. Peking duck has a number of advantages. They drink little, so they use food sparingly. These ducks are excellent for breeding. They quickly gain weight and are easy to care for.

Geese are a meat breed. Breeding geese is a profitable type of business that brings a stable income from each hectare. They are unpretentious in food and climate, and therefore can be useful both on the farm and on the farm. The main advantage is that they grow quickly and gain weight. To raise goslings at home, you just need to feed them properly. The main thing in this matter is not to overdo it. If you do not give enough food, the bird will be lethargic and lose a lot of strength.

The meat of many meat duck breeds has a high degree of juiciness, so it will have a pleasant taste. But before you decide to buy a duck, you should find out the main features of raising these birds, because this determines whether you can get a good result from breeding. Duck is one of those birds that can provide a good profit without requiring much investment. If it is maintained correctly, you will get a lot of meat that will be no worse than beef.

Let's start with one of the most popular among farmers - Peking duck. Peking duck. Description The Peking duck breed was bred in China back in the 18th century. The bird is based on the Chinese duck, which is why it got its name. They gained fame abroad only at the beginning of the 20th century due to their unpretentiousness and high slaughter weight. China is considered the homeland of these birds, where they are very popular for breeding at home.

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Mulards.

This meat is tasty and tender. Mulards are bred at home as hybrids from Muscovy and other ducks. Breeding and raising these ducks does not require much expense. In private farming, birds of this type quickly gain weight and begin to lay eggs. But for industrial production, mulards are bred for the meat industry because of their good meat qualities. We will tell you in this article what kind of mularda you can grow and how to care for it.

However, it also has disadvantages. Thus, mulards have a high risk of developing various diseases. It was precisely in order to avoid this that the “mulardy” hydride was created. In recent years, the hybrid has gained enormous popularity. Thanks to it, people can grow mulards at home. Depending on the conditions of detention, mulardas survive 100 percent. If they lack natural nutrition, they can even live on soy flour.

They reproduce well and produce tasty and tender meat. In Russia and the CIS countries, these ducks are raised as ornamental ducks. These are not only beautiful, but also good for health, because they help clean the air from germs and harmful substances. Mulards love walks in the fresh air and tolerate travel well. About the pros and cons of breeding Mulards Mulards need walking, so they simply cannot survive indoors.

Unlike other ducks, Mulards do not require much nutrition and grow quickly. Mulards can be kept at home. They are easy to care for. Keeping a domestic duck is not required for Mulard. Females and males of mulards are almost the same from each other, which is a very big advantage when breeding mulard chickens. Mulard ducks do not require a large room to keep; they can be placed in cages or on the floor.

To obtain a hybrid, a male Muscovy duck is crossed with a regular domestic duck, and the females produce Mulard chickens. Mulards have a very attractive appearance, which allows them to be bred for poultry meat. The weight of the chick is 1.5–2.5 kg. Mulard meat is very tasty, tender and juicy. If you decide to buy Mulards, do not buy chicks with a short beak. In chicks, a beak that is too short may mean that one of the parents was older than the other and a mutation occurred during mating.

In addition, they produce a lot of tasty, tender meat. Mulards are the fastest maturing duck breeds. They are unpretentious and quite prolific, that is, they are capable of producing several dozen eggs in one year. Unlike ordinary ducks, mulards do not have laying ducks, but their incubation qualities are above average.

Currently, Mulards are bred in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Uzbekistan. Mulards are also preferred by residents of the southern regions. These are unpretentious birds that gain weight very quickly and delight their owners with good results. In addition, it is not difficult to find out about the health of ducks by looking at their down. Its condition is judged by the color of its feathers. If there is a lot of white on it, then this is a sign of good health.

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Muscovy ducks.

The incubation period is 6 days. In general, domestic ducks are larger than domestic geese and cannot use large waters, making their breeding difficult in other parts of the world except where there are large numbers of wild ducks.

It has high populations in the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Currently, the Muscovy duck is acclimatized and widely distributed in zoos.

Unlike its related wild duck, the mallard, the musk duck is more thermophilic, less likely to live in cold climates, has a shorter neck and beak, and longer legs and tail.

As a result of mutations, Muscovy ducks acquired a number of features not characteristic of ducks of other breeds. They are capable of swimming in cold water and fly well, but they are short in stature and have very short wings.

It is somewhat larger in size than its relatives living in North America, and has a more massive body and plumage. The weight of males reaches 5 kg, females - 4 kg. The color is white with black spots; males have a large “crest” of long feathers on their heads.

Due to its valuable meat and fluff, it is used for domestication. In North America it is found only in small isolated areas. It is rarely considered a domestic animal and is usually used for commercial purposes, as well as as a hatchery egg for egg production in captivity. The population biology and zoogeography of the Muscovy duck are not well understood, but it is known that it is one of the large species of the duck family, characterized by fast growth and survival.

In captivity, they are mainly kept for breeding and cooking meat, as well as for their eggs and feathers.

Wild ducks do not fly, but swim with their wings spread wide. Pushing off from the water, they can swim at speeds of up to 15 km/h. Ducks nest in colonies on the steep banks of reservoirs and build their nests from dry branches and twigs. They feed on mixed food: plants (chestnuts, wild barley, wheat, corn), insects (mainly grasshoppers), small rodents and fish.

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Peking duck.

Peking ducks are highly productive. The slaughter yield is 70-80% of live weight. The meat is tasty, tender, juicy, and contains no fat. With proper feeding and maintenance, the female gives up to two or more litters per year.

Ducklings grow quickly and reach a weight of 3-4 kg by six months. Peking duck meat is very tender, white and tasty, odorless and highly nutritious.

Ducks of this breed quickly gain weight and fatten well. Peking duck is considered one of the most popular breeds of ducks on the meat market.

The weight of an adult bird is 3.5 kg, but there are also ducks weighing up to 5 kg. The weight of the drake reaches 5 kg.

Ducks of this breed differ from other breeds in that they have smaller body sizes and a higher fat ratio in the meat. The large weight of a duck is 4.5 - 6 kg, and that of a rooster is 7 - 8.5 kg. The duck of this breed has a rounded body covered with white plumage. The body has an elongated shape. The beak of ducks of this breed is thin, short, and strongly curved downwards. The eyes are small and brown, but the iris is orange. The neck is medium length, thick. Legs dark brown. The paws are webbed.

Peking ducks are unpretentious and grow quickly. They can be kept even in the cold season. They fatten well and weigh about 4 kg. A duck can have up to 120 thousand eggs per year. Duck egg production is 160-200 eggs per year. The mass of eggs is 85 grams.

The breed is widely used in industrial and domestic poultry farming in many countries of the world; it is bred in Canada, the USA, Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.

In a year, a duck can produce up to 200-250 kg of meat. The duck adapts well to urban conditions, which makes it possible to breed it in residential buildings. Ducks adapt well to different housing and feeding conditions, grow quickly and reach marketable forms.

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Ukrainian steppe duck.

By nature, ducks are phlegmatic and unpretentious. They are easy to train and learn quickly. All this allows her to withstand long frosts. It is these qualities that are the main ones for producers of this breed. Also, the Ukrainian gray duck adapts well to different living conditions and can withstand high temperatures, which allows it to be bred in hot countries. Also, this species reproduces well and produces a stable, high-numbered brood. The meat of the Ukrainian gray duck is equal in taste to the meat of Muscovy ducks.

The weight of ducklings at the age of 55 days reaches 2.2 kg, adult birds - 3.5 kg. Ukrainian gray ducklings are unpretentious in keeping, grow quickly, and have a good appetite.

This breed of duck has no undercoat. It produces two harvests a year. Egg production is 85–120 pieces per year, egg weight is 46 g. Duck breeders in their practice use this duck in two ways: meat and egg. In Ukraine, its meat is valued on a par with the meat of other ducks, as it is more tender and juicy. In addition, the meat of this breed of duck has high taste.

Raising ducks at home allows you to provide your family with inexpensive and nutritious food. The feeding diet of Ukrainian sulfur ducks includes hay, oats, bran, potatoes and carrots, as well as table scraps. As a result, these ducks make good laying hens and large-sized duck eggs. The Ukrainian gray drake weighs on average about five kilograms, the duck is slightly heavier than three and a half. The body of a duck is wide, the body length of an adult drake is just under seventy centimeters, and that of a duck is sixty centimeters.

Mallard ducks have high egg production. Life expectancy is on average 20 years.

Ukrainian Gray ducks have good egg production, fast growth and meat quality, which makes them one of the most popular breeds in the world. In addition, the Ukrainian gray is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, disease resistance and high productivity. Due to its high taste and tenderness of meat, duck meat is widely popular and in demand in many countries around the world. In Russia, the duck is widespread in Siberia, the Far East and the central part of the country.

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Blue favorite.

It was bred by German breeders. This is one of the most important meat breeds. The blue duck has gained popularity in many countries around the world. Its meat has excellent taste and dietary properties.

The breed is also suitable for productive breeding. The blue favorite has many advantages over other bird crosses. The duck of this breed grows very quickly and gains more than 2 kg in the first year of life. It does not require a lot of food and can live at home for up to three years.

This breed was bred in the USA.

On the basis of the breed, the American sea and European gray were bred. Each breed has its own characteristics and differences in appearance. As for the blue duck, it has become known as a breed that produces very tasty and dietary meat.

Blue duck is a meat breed.

It was obtained by crossing Muscovy ducks and gray ducks. The breed is quite large and can reach a weight of six kilograms.

Ducks were bred by breeders on the basis of mulards - hybrids. The blue duck was bred by crossing a musk drake and a domestic white duck. For a long time it was tested in various conditions, as a result of which it was bred as one of the most popular breeds.

They started breeding in Russia in the 90s of the last century. This type of duck was bred through selective breeding. During this time, its appearance has changed greatly, making it popular among poultry farmers.

Features of the breed.

The blue favorite duck gains weight up to 3.5 kg within two months. In this case, the slaughter weight is 2.5 kg. The same indicator for musk drakes. The weight of the bird at the time of slaughter is about 3.5 kg, and drakes weigh about 3 kg.

By the age of 3 months, the weight of a duck reaches 3.8 kg.

This breed has excellent health, thanks to which it can easily tolerate even severe frosts. No hormones or vaccinations were used during breeding, so she is in good health and unpretentious in maintenance and nutrition. The Blue Favorite is one of the most popular breeds, which is explained by its good popularity and high productivity.

The Blue Favorite breed was developed in the Czech Republic in the 18th century.

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Agidel.

Crosses and crosses with it have greater live weight, slaughter yield and better taste of meat. Ducks of the Blagovarsky cross are distinguished by early maturity and good egg production, good meat qualities, high protein and fat content in carcasses and a good yield of slaughter products. On farms in the Trans-Ural region, cross-breeds and crossbred ducks are not bred by chance. Blagovarsky cross and hybrids of this breed are well acclimatized and widespread in the Kurgan region and have high productivity.

The result is a hybrid with excellent meat qualities and high egg production - up to 80 eggs per hen per year.

Weight at 8 weeks reaches 3.3 kg. The duckling of this cross has the following characteristics: - high vitality; — high survival rate of young animals; - good immunity; - precocity; — resistance to salmonellosis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract; - lack of tendency to obesity; — good indicators of meat productivity; - excellent taste of meat.

The Agidel duck is considered one of the best broiler breeds. During early fattening, it is capable of producing carcasses weighing 2-2.5 kg already 45 days after slaughter. The slaughter yield is 75%. The bird has strong bones, a well-defined keel of the sternum, a relatively small head, a wide chest, a convex back, and slender legs. When kept in industrial complexes where broilers are raised, as well as in private households, this is the best broiler breed.

The cross has high fertility, and at the same time is well adapted to the conditions of Bashkiria. It showed excellent meat performance: more than 150 kilograms per 100 kg of meat. According to the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Belarus, in 2022, 16 thousand tons of duck meat were produced in the republic, which is more than two thousand tons more than the previous year.

In 2022, at the Elkibaevo farm in the Mechetlinsky district, broiler chickens were obtained from crossing the Blagovarsky cross with the Indian runner. When selecting from broiler chickens of the first generation in 2018, cross-breed chickens were raised: “Blagovarsky”, “Super M”. “Indian Runner”, “Cobb-500”, “Halal”, “Ross-308”.

Three lines of the Indian Runner breed were included in the breeding process for crossing. Today, cross-breed is one of the sought-after meat breeds on the meat products market. Cross takes up no more than a third of the total cross population. The duck of this cross can weigh up to 2.5 kg, the drake - 3 kg. The following conditions must be met in the duck house:

1. Temperature.
2. Humidity.
3. Ventilation.
4. Feeding.
5. Filling the feeder.
6. Lighting.
7. Water level.

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Cherry Valley.

Despite the fact that the breeds have existed for a long time, Cherry Valleys still remain popular among duck breeders, due to their productive qualities and unpretentiousness to living conditions. Cherry Valley belongs to the meat-egg breed.

They have a very large egg production; you can get up to 400 eggs per season. This is an excellent meat breed; the meat of these birds is considered dietary and is highly valued by lovers. Their meat is dense, with a small amount of fat, and even after heat treatment (meat and bone meal) it remains juicy and soft. Cherry valleys tolerate low temperatures well and can even winter outside. But in the cells they need to create the most favorable conditions.

Cherryvelly is a breed of duck that was developed in the USA. Its ancestors were white Chinese ducks, which were brought from overseas in the early 20th century and subsequently crossed with local ducks. As a result of selection, the Cherry Valley breed appeared, which immediately became popular not only among farmers, but also among poultry lovers. This breed is ideal for home breeding.

Cherry Valleys are very well adapted to the climatic conditions of central Russia; they are easy to keep in cages, but they will also feel good on open range.

The egg production of the duck breed is estimated at more than 220 eggs per year (an average of 3 years), egg weight is about 62 grams, and the incubation period is 63 days. In this case, the weight of an adult drake reaches up to 2.5 kg, and the weight of an adult duck - up to 3 kg.

As a rule, Cherry Welsh are meat breeds, although there are also egg breeds. They are bred for their large size and weight, as well as for their egg production. Cherry Welsh were bred in America about half a century ago on the basis of the Peking breed. However, as time passed, breeders developed several breeds with better qualities. Today the Cherry Velga breed is the most popular among ducks. Cherry ducks differ from other breeds of ducks in their large size, which is due to genetic factors.