Raising indo-ducks at home - detailed information!

Nutritional Features

Caring for baby ducklings is not difficult. The main thing is to observe the temperature regime and know about the peculiarities of their feeding. The first day of life for chicks is especially important. After birth, their digestive tract is weak and needs to be “started up” so that it can digest regular food. From the first hours after birth, chicks should be fed from a pipette. But there is another method. On their own they are reluctant to rush to the crumbled yolk, but from the first minutes of their existence they succumb to instincts. Birds need moving food, only they become interested in it, so you should use some tricks:

Gather the entire brood together.
Crumble the boiled yolk.
Sprinkle food on the backs of the chicks.

After completing this feeding method, an active struggle for the yolk will begin between the babies. Chicks will peck each other's backs while eating human-prepared food. You will only have to use this tricky feeding for the first 4-5 hours. And already on the second day, the baby turkeys will eat the food on their own.

From the first week, curd mash is included in the diet of small Indian ducks. To prepare them, various products from the human table are used. It is best to make wet mash from:

corn and oatmeal;
egg yolk;
nettle;
whey;
meat and bone meal.

Indo-chicks should be given solid food within a month. What food is their favorite during this period? They willingly eat grain, grass from the garden and meat waste. Grass is especially necessary for the health of birds. Baby ducks consider plants growing in ponds to be delicacies.

If there is no access to a source near the bird's main location, the farmer should take care to obtain this important food

Month-old ducklings should drink and eat on their own. From the age of two weeks, they should be dipped into water with their beaks. Some individuals will understand what is wanted from them, and the rest will copy their actions

Water is an integral part of a bird's diet, so it is important to ensure its purity and optimal temperature.

Slaughter process

The slaughtering process has its own difficulties, but after familiarizing yourself with all the nuances, you can be well prepared and approach the matter with all responsibility.

Before you slaughter a bird, you need to prepare it properly. For 13-15 hours she is placed in a closed room, without food, but with drink; it is important to provide light in the room during this time. Such measures allow you to clear the duck’s esophagus of food residues. After cleaning, the duck must be placed in a special cone, which will hold the body and wings of the bird with its walls, and the head and neck will be free for manipulation.

Slaughter procedure:

use a cone to immobilize the bird;
take her head, pull down until her neck is stretched as far as possible;
feel the carotid artery in the neck;
leave the carcass to bleed for 10-15 minutes;
remove the carcass from the cone.

In the village, most often an ax and a tree stump are used to kill ducks; after separating the head, the carcass is also hung up. This method is also effective and is at least not inferior in terms of slaughter speed.

How to raise a Muscovy duck - a chick or an egg?

Everyone knows the funny philosophical question regarding which came first - the chicken or the egg. When breeding poultry, an entrepreneur is faced with a serious dilemma: where to start the livestock - from eggs or chicks?

Practice shows that at first, while an entrepreneur is just mastering the duck business as such, it is better to buy musk ducks at the age of one or several days from a reliable supplier. Until all the technological processes for raising adult ducks from ducklings are perfected, it is better not to be distracted by incubation issues.

Only after you have become thoroughly comfortable with raising ducks, after a year or two, can you try hatching ducklings from eggs. Buying incubators will require additional costs and add headaches to you, but it will significantly reduce production costs, since you no longer have to buy live ducklings.

The history of the musk breed

Indians domesticated Indians in Mexico and South America. After European colonization, the breed was brought to Europe and gained great popularity among many poultry farmers.

The breed was not popular in Russia for a long time. The situation changed only in the 80s of the 20th century, when a large batch of musky ducks was brought from Germany to the USSR.

Today, Indian ducks are one of the most popular breeds in Russia and neighboring countries.

Note! Some people consider the turkey duck to be a hybrid of a turkey and a duck, but this is not true. Despite a certain external similarity, the musk breed has nothing to do with turkeys.

How to start breeding livestock?

One of the characteristics of the breed is poor hatchability in an incubator. It is due to the fact that the shell of Muscovy duck eggs has a very strong shell that does not allow air to pass through to the embryo. When incubating, the hen constantly turns the eggs over, touches them with her body, and the shell gradually becomes thinner, opening the pores.

Nests for indo-ducks in the poultry house

By the end of incubation, the shell loses its strength, and the chicks are born without any problems. It is difficult to create such conditions in an incubator, even with regular turning. Therefore, if you decide to get a musk duck, it is better to buy ducklings, one day old or older, rather than a hatching egg.

One-day-old Muscovy ducklings

Ducklings are very demanding of warmth, so for their transportation it is necessary to prepare a box made of plywood or thick cardboard. The dimensions of the box depend on the number of ducklings: for every 20 ducklings, a space of 30x30 cm is needed. A large box needs to be sectioned. The height of the walls is from 20 to 25 cm; holes for ventilation must be made in the upper part. Dry sawdust and shavings are poured onto the floor.

It is better to transport ducklings in a car with an air conditioning system to ensure the required temperature. If this is not available in winter, you need to take care of heating, and in summer, transport them in cool weather or at night to avoid heat and overheating.

Transporting ducklings

Sorting by sex is possible for musk ducks already at one day of age; when purchasing unsorted young animals, it is necessary to take into account: about 60% of the chicks will be males

This is important when planning the number of livestock for breeding; there should be from three to five ducks per drake. The remaining drakes at the age of 13 weeks are sent to slaughter to obtain a marketable carcass

You can sort the ducklings yourself. They do it like this:

the duckling is placed on his left palm on his back, while his spine should be located along the line of the palm on the middle finger; with the right hand, carefully pull the skin on the cloaca towards the stomach; they look at the mucous membrane - drakes have a noticeable tubercle in the front part, ducks do not have one.

Determining the sex of a duckling

With some skill, the method allows you to sort chicks reliably, with an accuracy of up to 99%. For novice poultry farmers, this method seems complicated, and they do not see the differences. In this case, sorting is carried out later, when the differences in behavior become more noticeable: the males begin to grow more actively and fight among themselves. By slaughter age the difference becomes obvious - differences in body weight reach 1-2 kg.

How to cook properly

When cooked correctly, domesticated turkey meat is very tasty.

To prevent the product from turning out tough and dry, you need to know a few rules:

Before cooking, it is necessary to pour boiling water over the poultry carcass;
before baking, the meat is marinated for at least 2 hours;
Baking time is calculated depending on the weight of the bird using the formula: 1 kg of carcass* 60 minutes in the oven at 180⁰ C;
For good roasting, the meat is poured with duck juice from the baking sheet every 15 minutes.

You can choose any recipe: it will still turn out delicious. Indo-duck is baked, stewed, fried, but the real highlight of the table can be shish kebab.

Shashlik

You can cook it outdoors or in the oven at a temperature of 180⁰ (bake for 60 minutes).

For this you will need:

turkey meat – 1.5 kg;
onion – 0.5 kg;
garlic – 3 cloves;
vinegar –150 g;
herbs and spices to taste.

Preparation:

The washed meat is cut into portions and dried with paper towels.
Add pepper, salt, spices, herbs and mix.
After the juice appears, add chopped onions (in rings) and garlic to the meat, and marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours.
After this time, the duck is placed on a skewer mixed with onions and tomatoes.
During frying, be sure to rotate the skewer and pour dry wine over the kebab.

The dish is served with fresh herbs and vegetables.

Bon appetit!

What not to feed musk ducklings

The main condition for a healthy diet is freshness. It explains restrictions in diet and feeding methods:

Sour foods, especially of animal origin, cause digestive disorders in birds. And they, in turn, become catalysts for the development of many diseases.
Large pieces are deadly for adult and young ducks. A bird can easily choke.
Indo ducklings should not be fed fresh baked goods. They contain yeast, which enhances the fermentation processes in the stomach of chicks. The livestock is at risk of diarrhea and slow development, and individual birds are at risk of death.

Don't give your bird too large pieces of food

Features of breeding and raising Muscovy ducklings

Regardless of the method of breeding ducklings, to obtain a brood, select eggs from the first days of laying. Then carefully select them according to their characteristics - so that they are the same shape, weight and size.

The most fertile eggs are those collected within 14 days. When collecting, store them lying on their side at a temperature of 11 degrees.

Formation of broodstock

For propagation in the traditional way (by a brood hen), arrange a separate queen cell, which will contain 3-4 females and a drake. Then build a nest by placing dry leaves, sawdust or hay there.

Do not touch eggs selected for hatching with your hands. Indian ducks are excellent brood hens, so when there are 10 eggs in the nest, the female sits on the nest.

There should be water and food in the room so that the hen eats periodically. As the eggs warm up, she regularly turns the eggs over and moistens them with water.

The hatching period for ducklings is 32-35 days.

Breeding ducklings by a hen

Despite the fact that Muscovy ducks are good brood hens, the ducklings cannot do without the help of their owner. After the first chicks hatch, the duck continues to sit in the nest until the entire brood has hatched. Therefore, babies need to be placed in a warm, cozy place and provided with good lighting. A regular incandescent lamp is suitable for this, which will speed up the drying process.

In the first days, feed the ducklings hard-boiled eggs. At the same time, chop them and sprinkle them on their backs, since during this period they only react to movement. When they begin to move, the crumbs roll off and the chicks, noticing them, eat them.

After the end of the period allotted for laying, the unproductive eggs become unusable and the duck leaves the nest to take care of the offspring. When the day-old ducklings have dried and become stronger, place them under the hen.

In the morning she can already walk and feed them. After a week, they can already take baths, but before the procedure, a caring mother lubricates their feathers with her fat.

Incubation

When incubating ducks, the device must be heated to 38 degrees. After this, lay out the fertilized eggs in a horizontal position. Lay the largest ones first, and after 5 hours the rest. It is better not to use small eggs.

The incubator must be provided with the necessary air humidity. If such a function is not provided, then do it as follows - spray the eggs with a weak and warm solution of manganese twice a day. This cools the eggs and speeds up metabolism.

Eggs need to be turned and swapped periodically to ensure even heating. Hatching eggs may take a little longer to hatch than brood eggs. At the end of the period, gradually reduce the air temperature, check the eggs and help the ducklings hatch by opening the shells.

Place the hatched chicks in a brooder. If they are provided with proper care within 10 days, they will grow up strong and healthy.

Feeding and keeping chicks

Their further development depends on the correct feeding of Muscovy ducklings. The first step is to take care of favorable conditions in the poultry house. To do this, you will need to regularly maintain cleanliness and, if necessary, disinfect. This is also required for drinking bowls and feeders.

A review of duck drinkers and instructions for making them can be found in this article.

In the first week, the daylight hours for ducklings should be at least 18 hours, so the house must be equipped with appropriate lighting. As they grow older, daylight hours should be reduced by 1 hour every week. This is necessary for full development, since as Indian ducks grow older they need metabolism, which occurs better in the dark. If these rules are not followed, rickets may occur.

To develop, ducklings need adequate nutrition. From the very beginning, feed them grain mixtures and foods containing starch, protein and calcium:

shell rock;
chalk;
starter feed;
grain mixtures;
corn, bone and barley flour;
chopped meat and fish waste;
boiled potatoes;
fresh carrots.

Don't forget about greenery. If it is possible to walk on fresh, lush grass, then this will be the most acceptable option. The ducklings themselves will find the suitable and healthy greens they need for full development.

Features of breeding Indo ducks

You can buy indo-ducks for breeding at a fairly low price: from only $12 per individual. Young animals can be raised to market weight in just a couple of months.

At the initial stage, it is profitable to purchase a young female in the year of the brood, which in a short time will be able to bear the first offspring. It is best to make the purchase in the beginning or mid-autumn, because it is at this time that the young animals turn into ducks and young drakes.

Poultry at home is often kept with other animals. As for musk ducks, it would be best for them to build a small, separate poultry house. They do not get along well with other pets and therefore eat little.

The room should remain warm in winter, and also be quite cool in the summer heat. It is advisable that the doors and windows of the poultry house face south, towards the constantly blowing winds. The size of the poultry house directly depends on how many turkey ducks can be placed on one square meter. In the vast majority of cases, three ducks and up to eight ducklings can be accommodated.

Adult ducks begin to lay eggs in April, as soon as it starts to get warmer. After the Indian duck has laid twenty eggs, it begins to nest. Hatches for one month.

To prevent indo-ducks from flying, they need to copy (cut off) the tip of the wing along the first phalanges while still a day old. Then treat with hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate. If you cut the wings of adult Indian ducks, they will stop laying eggs until their wings grow back.

Indo-duck cutting

Cutting a duck is an important process that greatly affects the quality of the meat! Therefore, when cutting, it is important not to miss a single detail. Place the singed carcass on a cutting board with the neck forward and perform the following manipulations:

cut off the neck;
use a sharp knife to make a cut in the abdomen from the pectoral cartilage to the tail;
remove the entrails, separate the offal from the intestines;
remove the bird's crop and esophagus through the neck;
remove all fat deposits inside the abdomen;
Wash the duck thoroughly under running water.

The carcass is ready to go into the refrigerator, freezer or for sale. It remains to spend a couple of minutes on the giblets:

All arteries are removed from the heart;
the ventricle is cut, cleaned of food debris, and the film is removed;
The spleen is separated from the liver.

Giblets can be sold either separately or together with the duck, and if the duck was slaughtered for home use, they will be an excellent addition to the meat in soup or borscht.

If the duck needs to be cut completely, you will need to do the following:

cut off the drumstick, grabbing as much meat on the back as possible;
cut off the hams, also cutting off most of the meat;
make a longitudinal incision on both sides of the pectoral process and separate the loin from the bones;
cut the ribs and tail from the sirloin;
separate the sebaceous glands and cut into several pieces;
the remaining meat can be trimmed or left on the frame

The remaining frame can be used to prepare broths and other first courses, getting a good fat from it. The weight of the brisket of large drakes reaches up to 800 grams, which is significantly more than that of the Peking breed (350 grams).

You can store meat in various ways:

At a temperature of 0-4 °C, meat can be stored for up to three to five days, then it must be cooked or frozen.
If for some reason it is not possible to use the refrigerator, then the bird is placed in a fabric bag soaked in vinegar.
Another storage method is salting; it is used on undivided ducks. In order for the duck to be saturated with salt, we will make the following solution: 300 grams of salt per 1 liter of water. The approximate consumption of such a solution is 150 g per 1 kg of meat. Then the solution is poured through the throat using a syringe, after which the throat is tied and the duck is hung upside down. The duck is marinated for a day, and then the solution is drained.

Basic rules for keeping Muscovy ducks

Birds are not afraid of low temperatures, but they do not tolerate high air humidity well.

Indo-ducks should be kept in a spacious room, as they need “personal space”. They do not like crowding, so for three birds you need to allocate about two square meters of space.
If ducks will be kept all year round, then the construction for them must be thorough. It should protect birds from drafts and sudden temperature changes.
About once a year, as a disinfection against parasites, the walls of the room must be whitened with slaked lime.
Sawdust, straw or large wood shavings can be placed in the birds' nest as bedding.
For laying hens, one nest for three heads is required.
The sex ratio of birds is of great importance. Three or four ducks are enough for one drake.
In the warm season, ducks need walking. To do this, you should create artificial ponds for swimming and equip the place where birds will walk with drinking bowls.
It is best to release turkey ducks from the pen during the day. They fly in the morning and evening.
The bird walking area must be clean. You need to make sure that there are no dangerous objects on it: nails, glass, wire.
When breeding Muscovy ducks seasonally, they can be kept in small buildings.

This breed of duck is a good flyer, so their wings should be clipped at an early age. To do this, it is enough to cut off only the feathery upper part of the wing.

What to feed Indian ducks?

There are no special secrets in feeding this breed of domestic ducks:

The most optimal type of feeding for poultry is a combined feed consisting of grain and mash.
You can feed Muscat ducks with almost any grain: wheat, rye, millet, barley, oats. Birds and any grain waste eat well.
You can add vegetables to the food: carrots, beets, rutabaga and potatoes, which should be boiled.
The daily diet of domestic ducks should include greens.
To form a strong shell, they need to add boiled egg shells, shells, and chalk to their food. All this should be well chopped.
Separate containers should be filled with gravel, which helps the digestive system.
To ensure that birds do not lack phosphorus, their feeder should always contain meat or fish meal.
Dissolved table salt should be added to wet food. It will supply the body with sodium, improve appetite and promote good development of ducks.
During the molting period, Indian ducks should be given natural sources of organic sulfur in the form of green beans, flax cake, and fresh cabbage.

On average, poultry can eat about four hundred grams of feed and drink a liter of water. If she grazes in the meadow all day, then the diet must be halved. Meadow green grass is an excellent substitute for food for domestic ducks.

Rules for keeping ducks

When keeping any breed of Muscovy ducks, you should adhere to a number of rules - let's look at the main ones.

Poultry house and its arrangement

Indo-ducks are more heat-loving birds than chickens. Therefore, it is recommended to make the house more insulated for them.

It is recommended to make the height of the poultry house 1.5-2 meters, and there should be 1-2 windows inside it at a height of 1 meter above the ground. Quadrature is calculated according to the rule - for 1-3 birds you need 1 square meter of free space.

To heat the room in winter, it is recommended to use a heater or electric furnace. You should also place several perches indoors, as well as drinking bowls and feeders.

Attention! Be sure to make small vents in the windows that will be used for ventilation.

What to make bedding for Indian ducks from

It is recommended to make bedding on the floor based on sawdust, wood shavings and straw. Sand is recommended to be used only in the warm season.

The height of the litter in winter is at least 20 centimeters, and in the rest of the year - at least 10 centimeters.

If the bedding is damaged by mold, it must be urgently replaced, since the fungus negatively affects the health of the ducks.

Basic principles of feeders and drinkers

When keeping domestic turkeys, you must not forget about the rules for installing feeders and drinkers in pens and poultry houses:

Any containers can be used as drinking bowls - shallow bowls or old frying pans. You can also make a drinking bowl from a 10-liter tank or cut it out of wood. The only important rule is that the drinking bowl should be made at the rate of “0.5 liters of water per 1 turkey.”
You can also use any containers as feeders. However, wooden structures are best - they will not be damaged by birds' beaks. The dimensions of the feeder should be such that 250-300 grams of feed per bird fit inside.

Attention! It is recommended to use not one large, but several small feeders and drinkers. In summer they are placed outside, and in winter - inside the house.

Arrangement of the nest

Indian ducks are skeptical about new nests, so it is recommended to make them in the fall - over the winter the birds will get used to it and begin to hatch eggs willingly. One nest is enough for 2-3 ducks.

They make a nest from boards or plywood, and the shape of the nest should be cubic (length, width, height - 40 centimeters each).

Boxes and cardboard boxes can be used as a temporary nest. Nests are placed at a height of 25-30 centimeters. The lighting in the nest should be dim and shaded so that the birds feel calm.

You should place plenty of hay or wood shavings inside the nest for the duck's comfort.

Wing clipping

Breeding indo-ducks also involves trimming their wings, as otherwise the birds may fly away. Only one wing needs to be processed using sharp scissors.

Pruning is done until the tubular cavity of the feather appears. In adulthood, the treatment does not need to be carried out (in its youth, the Indian duck gets used to the fact that it cannot fly).

Place for walking Indian ducks

A space should be fenced off near the poultry house where the birds will live during the warm season. For fencing, it is recommended to use a mesh 1.5-2 meters high.

It is better to cover the ground with a thin layer of sand, sawdust and wood shavings. At night, the feathered birds must be driven into the poultry house.

In winter, it is not recommended to let indoor ducks outside, but you can lightly ventilate the house for 20-30 minutes.

Diet of young animals up to 20 days old

After the first week of keeping the babies is behind them, their owner should begin to formulate a diet for the next 13-14 days. Thus, nutrition of indo-ducklings from the second week includes the following points:

during this period, growing chicks can already be switched to combined formulations and homemade wet food (the so-called “mash”);
To make babies feel comfortable, it is enough to feed them 6 times a day;
Vitamin and mineral complexes should be added to the diet of ducklings to promote faster development of birds;
It is simply necessary to feed the chicks with greens, otherwise their full development is not possible.

If we list the ingredients that make up the mash, then these can be a variety of boiled vegetables, the greens mentioned above, as well as whey, curdled milk or broth (both the meat version and the fish version are suitable). It is also recommended to add yeast, meat and bone meal and chalk. As for table salt, which is necessary to maintain the appetite of growing ducklings, it should be introduced into the diet of babies without haste, starting with small doses. In general, one 10-day-old chick should have 110-120 g of food per day, and a 20-day-old chick should be fed twice as much food.

Description and characteristics of the breed

Almost all Indian ducks are similar in appearance. Differences occur only in individual breeds, mainly:

feather color;
habits;
fruitfulness;
egg production;
taste qualities;
growing time;
feeding features.

Appearance

Muscovy ducks have a wide variety, differ in many characteristics, but they have one thing in common - characteristic features related to appearance. Indian ducks have a large body and a wide, hanging sternum.

Indo-ducks have strong, webbed feet, much shorter than those of other poultry. They have large, strong wings that fit tightly to the body and a short neck.

On a small head there is a flat beak, and around the eyes there is a peculiar red growth that distinguishes them from simple ducks. If you touch it, you can smell a faint musky odor.

Indo-ducks' feathers fit tightly together, forming a waterproof coating that gives them a huge advantage when in the water. They love water, especially marshy ponds that are home to many different insects and larvae. It’s not scary if there are no bodies of water nearby; they also feel great on land and can splash around in an ordinary trough.

The color of Muscovy ducks varies depending on the specific breed. These are mostly dark colors with a greenish or purple tint.

As for weight and size, they do not have any significant differences. The weight of a drake can reach up to 6 kg, and females - up to 4 kg. However, wild ducks are 1.5-2 times smaller than domesticated ones.

Varieties of Indo-ducks

Many novice farmers or ordinary housekeeping enthusiasts cannot decide on the breed of Indo-ducks. Each of them has its own characteristics, so you need to correctly and profitably choose the breed that is more suitable for breeding or keeping in specific conditions. Muscovy ducks come in the following types:

Black Indians. They fully live up to their name, as their paws, metatarsals and beak are also black. Only a greenish tint on the back and a purple tint to the rest of the feathers separates it from complete blackness. Their eyes are brown.
White Indians. They have the appropriate color of feathers, without any shades or tints. The duck's beak is pink with lightening at the tip. The paws are yellow and the eyes are blue-gray.
Black and white Indian ducks. They have appropriate shades, in which a dark color with pronounced tints predominates. White spots appear on the sternum, neck and head. Their eyes have a light brown tone. The legs are yellow, sometimes with black spots, and the beak is red.
Brown wild breed . It has a beautiful and rich brown color. White feathers may appear on the wings, the number of which increases as the duck grows. The red beak has dark spots on its tip. The eyes, like the paws, are brown. Sometimes the coloring may be slightly different - brown feathers are green, and there are white feathers on the chest and head.
Blue and wild blue duck . This breed is very rare and actually has blue feathers with darkening at the edges. The legs and beak of this duck are black. Eyes with a brown tint. The wild Muscovy duck has a similar feather color, but with a narrower rim. And when fully ripe, the upper cover turns white, and the black flat beak changes color to lilac-red. Paws and eyes are the same color.

Black Indian duck

White Indian

Black and white Indian duck

Brown Indian Duck

blue duck

Experienced poultry farmers claim that the brighter the color of the duckling, the more productive it will be, so when choosing ducklings, you should pay attention to their appearance.

Lifestyle and behavior

Domestic birds get used to their owners and their territory, so they do not go far and do not cross borders. This is one of the advantages of Muscovy ducks when breeding them. In addition, they do not need to be constantly grazed; they quickly get used to their route and can independently move around familiar territory.

This type of bird is very calm, but with a large number of them in one area and the presence of several adult drakes, they can show aggression towards each other. This usually happens due to feeding. Stronger males can kill weak ones, and sometimes even young offspring. In stressful situations, the female may stop laying or abandon her nest.

Indian women love fish, so they are attracted to anything shiny. It is better to remove all objects that remind them of a tasty treat: broken glass or mirrors, metal waste and other debris.

Range and habitats

In the wild, Indian ducks can be seen near lakes, rivers and other fresh bodies of water. They form into small groups to give birth to further offspring. They rarely gather in large flocks, and practically do not make flights.

Their feather lubricant is not as oily as that of other duck species, so they do not like to swim in cold water. In winter, it is dangerous for them to swim, since at sub-zero temperatures the wings freeze and the bird can drown.

Indo-ducklings and their popularity among farmers

The Muscovy duckling is unpretentious to its living conditions, because the largest populations of these birds are found in hot Latin countries. The presence of water for bathing is also not required. Indo-ducklings can swim, but not for the purpose of walking, but for the sake of the need to expand their diet. Their character is very calm and balanced.

They rarely show aggression towards the livestock and even towards the owner, and this is also important for keeping these birds at home. But the calm nature may change if one of the other birds kept in the yard starts to fight

The Muscovy duck can always fend for itself.

Keeping indo-ducklings is popular among domestic farmers also because they can be given a large variety of feeds. Their diet is much wider than other representatives of birds, and therefore there is no need to spend money on expensive food.

Of course, there are some downsides to keeping them: indo-ducklings require some special care to be taken care of in order to grow healthy and strong.

Correct content

Indo-ducks should be raised in a dry, well-ventilated area. Drafts in the poultry house are unacceptable. It is necessary to have windows to receive daylight.

Required number of birds

The maximum stocking density of adult ducks is 3 individuals/1 sq. meter, and musk ducklings - 8 chicks / 1 sq. meter. It is especially important to observe this rule in winter, when birds spend most of their free time indoors. Overpopulation leads to an increased concentration of harmful substances in the air, which is why ducks begin to get sick.

Premises requirements

The poultry house for indo-ducks should be built warmer than, for example, for chickens. It would be nice to erect a log building and line it with bricks. As an option, it is possible to insulate the floor and walls with foam insulation. It is necessary to ventilate the poultry house (regardless of the time of year). Comfortable temperature for keeping birds is 12⁰C.

Feeding principles

Raising musk ducks involves feeding them three times a day. An adult consumes about 350 g of food per day. It is important to provide enough food for one meal. After satiation, the birds will trample the excess food, which is unfavorable for the farmer’s financial situation.

Growing and breeding Indian ducks at home

Indian ducks are early maturing birds. They have high growth energy. The weight characteristics of musk ducks are as follows: the live weight of a day-old duckling is 50-60 g, and at the age of 55 days - 2.5-3 kg. The drake has a live weight of 4.5-5 kg, the duck - 2-2.5 kg.

Turkey meat contains less fat than domestic duck meat and is considered dietary. Female Indian ducks are the best brood hens among all domestic poultry species. The female can incubate up to 20 eggs at a time. Incubation lasts 35 days. Ducks are considered calm and very caring mothers.

The most common ducks found are black white-winged, black-white and white musk ducks. They have a wide, almost horizontal body. The wings are powerful, 30-35 cm long. Ducks fly well, so it is better to keep them in closed enclosures or trim their wings. As a rule, ducks begin laying eggs when they reach 180-270 days of age and continue for 5-6 months.

Under good housing conditions, the Indian duck lays 60-120 eggs weighing 70-80 g each per year. The oviposition cycle in an adult lasts 5 months and after a 3-month break, a second cycle of the same duration begins. During each cycle, ducks lay 60-80 eggs. Eggs retain their incubation properties for 14 days.

Breeding Indian ducks at home requires compliance with certain rules and recommendations.

The musky variety, despite its close relationship with the common domestic duck, differs significantly from its relatives.

This species is characterized by a short neck, protruding chest, powerful wings and long claws on its feet. The predominant shade of plumage is white and black. A characteristic difference in appearance is red growths around the eyes. The weight of the duck reaches 3-3.5 kg, and the drake - 6 kg.

The bird gains the required weight within 2 months. The dietary characteristics of meat are superior to chicken. Eggs are characterized by a high content of protein and carotenoids.

Indian ducks do not need a special pond.

For bathing, you need to prepare a trough, which can also serve as a drinking bowl. Birds are omnivorous and have high immunity. Their unpretentiousness allows you to get maximum results at minimal costs.

The weight of the musk duck, drake, can reach up to 6 kg, and the duck up to 3.5 kg.

Indo-ducks are excellent laying hens; of course, they are inferior to white ducks, but this does not affect their affinity for this bird. Egg production - 100-110 eggs. The egg weighs approximately 75 grams. Indian ducks lay eggs in cycles, starting at 180-210 days of age. They lay for about five months, rest for ninety days, then rush again for five months.

Indian women in the household yard

Female musky ducks are considered excellent mothers. Not only can they hatch eggs well and carefully care for them, but they are also attentive to their brood, ducklings. They protect them, keep them warm. They are constantly on the move with them and teach the kids to pluck grass and look for food. Little ducklings are very obedient to their mothers, repeat all her movements and commands and are happy with her care. Indian ducks can hatch not only their own eggs, but also those of other birds; chicken eggs, goose.

There is also one small feature in looking after hens: during incubation, build a nest so that the eggs do not roll out.

On average, 160-210 grams of feed are used to feed one Indian duck per day. This is not a large dose, compared to the dose of food that the Peking duck eats, it eats much more, so raising a healthy bird of a different breed is not so expensive. It also, of course, depends on the appetite of the bird itself and the calorie content of the feed.

Muscovy ducks need to be fed nutritiously and try to vary their food. In general, these ducks are not picky in their diet, but, like any other bird, they need variety.

They need to be fed different types of grain: wheat, crushed barley, seeding, crushed corn. For the winter, be sure to stock up on various herbs: nettle, dandelion, woodlice and other herbs, silage. Of course, it will be useful to add vitamins to food, such as A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Bc, H, C. Which are contained in feed, premixes, and food additives. Vitamin-rich greens, grains, grass flour, fish oil, bran, yeast, peas, beans, beet greens, carrots and other herbs.

Meat characteristics

The meat of musk ducks is unusually juicy and tender. In many respects it is superior to chicken and turkey. It has a delicate taste and pleasant aroma (as opposed to the specific smell of other waterfowl).

Compound

Indo-duck meat also stands out favorably from its relatives in its composition. The valuable properties of the product are due to:

B vitamins;
vitamins A, C, D, E, K;
richness of minerals (potassium, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, fluorine, phosphorus, sodium);
Omega-3 and Omega-6.

Beneficial features

Consumption of meat products with such an abundance of vitamins, macro- and microelements has a beneficial effect on the overall health of a person.

It leads to:

improving skin;
restoration of vision;
normalization of the reproductive system;
formation of bone and muscle tissue;
less fatigue;
restoration of metabolic processes;
removal of carcinogenic substances.

In addition, the meat does not contain cholesterol, which makes this product possible for people with heart disease and diabetics.

Contraindications and possible harm

Let's continue to consider turkey meat, its benefits and possible harm. So, such food does not pose a threat to a healthy person.

Contraindications for use in nutrition may be:

arthritis;
indigestibility of the product;
diseases of the digestive tract;
diseases of the body's urinary system.

How to keep Indian ducks in winter?

Keeping Indian ducks at home in winter should be done in an insulated barn or greenhouse.

When preparing a room for keeping musk ducks in winter, it is very important to observe spatial parameters. On average, 3 ducks will need 2 square meters of space. If you plan to breed indo-ducks seasonally, then it is quite possible to keep them with ordinary ducks, since they are very calm and not pugnacious

To keep Indian ducks in winter, the house must be equipped according to all standards, namely, not only the walls, but also the floor must be well insulated to prevent sudden temperature changes and drafts. And also to prevent the appearance of musty air and dampness, it is necessary to equip a ventilation system, or install a window with a window

If you plan to breed indo-ducks seasonally, then it is quite possible to keep them with ordinary ducks, since they are very calm and not pugnacious. To keep Indian ducks in winter, the house must be equipped according to all standards, namely, not only the walls, but also the floor must be well insulated to prevent sudden temperature changes and drafts. And also to prevent the appearance of musty air and dampness, it is necessary to equip a ventilation system, or install a window with a window.

Indian ducks do not tolerate climates with low temperatures and high humidity.

The lowest temperature that ducks can withstand in winter while walking is minus 8-9 degrees below zero, and in the duck room the air temperature should not fall below 12 degrees Celsius.

Otherwise, this can lead to frostbite of their paws and subsequent death of the individuals. Therefore, it is necessary to take care in advance about how the barn (or greenhouse) will be heated for ducks to live in during the cold season.

In the barn

Keeping turkey ducks in winter is a complex process. The main rule in keeping such individuals is the presence of a heated house. By the time the indo-ducks begin to be driven in for the winter, the barn for poultry of the breed in question must be well prepared and have warm walls without cracks, as well as an insulated roof and floor.

Walls can be insulated with plywood, regular plaster or an additional layer of wood, and quite often materials such as mineral wool and foam sheets are used for these purposes.

It is recommended to raise the floor in the barn 16-20 cm from the surface of the ground. A wooden floor is considered warmer, but it is less durable than a concrete one.

If the barn has a plank floor, then to increase its service life, you can lay sheets of old linoleum on top, which will protect the wood from excess moisture and rapid rotting processes. If the floor is made of concrete, then in this case you will need a couple of centimeters more bedding material. It is best to make the bedding from straw or sawdust, laying it at least 5 cm thick. As the bedding becomes dirty, a new layer is simply poured on top.

You should be aware that it is not recommended to clean the poultry house in winter, since the decomposing lower layers of litter emit heat, which creates a natural process for heating the room, but this is also accompanied by unpleasant odors.

Therefore, the barn must have a ventilation system or a window with an opening window. With the onset of severe frosts, the barn needs to be additionally heated; for this you can install:

brick oven;
a small potbelly stove;
or special blue heating lamps.

The temperature in the barn for comfortable keeping of indo-ducks in winter should not be less than 12 degrees Celsius. The following should also be placed inside the premises:

feeders;
drinking bowls;
separate houses for laying eggs;
perches in the form of logs or small inverted boxes.

So that the birds can freely go out for a walk, it is recommended to make a special hole in the door with dimensions of 40 by 40 cm and at a height of 20-25 cm from the floor. The hole itself should be covered with thick material or an opening door.

In the greenhouse

Many farmers create all the necessary conditions for keeping ducks in winter in polycarbonate greenhouses, which is also very convenient.

In order for the Muscovy duck to feel comfortable in the winter, there should be no gaps in the greenhouse, and a wooden floor should be placed on the floor. You should also use dry straw or sawdust as bedding.

The interior of the greenhouse must be equipped exactly as in the barn, that is, there must be feeders, perches, drinking bowls and houses for laying eggs.

It is important to understand that keeping indo-ducks in greenhouses is allowed only in those regions where in winter the air temperature does not drop below 15 degrees below zero. In more severe climatic zones, it is better to keep birds in heated barns.

How to breed Indo ducks

Indo-ducks are bred in a similar manner to other poultry. Next, we will consider the breeding processes in more detail.

How many Indian ducks do you need for one drake?

Indo-ducks should be distributed at the rate of “4-5 females per 1 drake.” In this case, you can get the maximum percentage of fertilized eggs.

Theoretically, it is possible to keep indo-ducks without males, but in this case, egg production will decrease by 20-30%.

And without mating individuals, it is impossible to obtain fertilized eggs for renewal or reproduction of the herd.

Hatching ducklings with a hen

The easiest and cheapest way to breed at home is to incubate the offspring with an indo-duck hen.

For these purposes, it is recommended to make a separate queen cell, where it is necessary to install a nest using dry leaves, sawdust and hay.

Fertilized ducks gradually lay eggs there, and when their number reaches 10-12, the hen will begin to hatch them.

Key points regarding hatching ducklings:

The room temperature should be between 18-30 degrees. In this case, the percentage of hatched ducklings will be maximum.
There should always be food and water in the room. Please note that water is used not only to quench the thirst of the birds, but also to wet the eggs.
Hatching of the eggs lasts approximately 30-35 days, after which small ducklings are born. At first, they should be fed with crushed corn or grain, cottage cheese and eggs. Next we will consider this issue in more detail.

Hatching chicks in an incubator

Indo-ducks can also be bred using an incubator. An incubator is a small electrically powered device that maintains the required temperature for ducklings to hatch.

Before adding eggs to the incubator, they must be sorted. To do this, you need to choose medium-sized eggs without external defects.

Large eggs will remain in the incubator longer for 1-2 days - this can negatively affect the further development of the ducklings.

From small eggs, ducklings will hatch earlier than expected and this can also negatively affect the further development of ducklings. According to statistics, no more than 10% of birds survive from such eggs.

Additionally, an inspection should be carried out for microcracks, foreign inclusions and various anomalies using ovoscopy.

Important points:

The incubation period until the ducklings hatch is 35 days.
The temperature in the room should be at least 30 degrees, and in the incubator - within 38.5 degrees. Therefore, it is recommended to breed indo-ducks in summer or late spring.
It is advisable to have a humidity control function in the incubator. Eggs must be turned by hand at least 6 times a day.
It is advisable to have another useful function in the incubator - automatic egg turning. If there is no such function, then the eggs must be turned manually every 2 to 4 hours.

Keeping and caring for chicks

In order for ducklings to grow up healthy, it is necessary to remember the rules of care. Breeding, maintaining and caring for turkey chicks after hatching looks like this:

Ducklings should be kept in the queen cell for the first 20-30 days of life until they become stronger. If the birds were bred as a brood hen, the mother should be with them all this time.
In the first days of life, daylight hours should be at least 18 hours. Therefore, it is recommended to use artificial lighting in the queen cell.
The chicks should be fed finely crushed corn and other grains, boiled eggs, and cottage cheese. You should also add a little chalk, shell rock, carrots, chopped meat or fish waste to the diet.

Common mistakes when raising ducks

Most novice poultry farmers make the same mistakes when breeding turkey ducks on a farm or at home.

The four most common mistakes are:

Using small or too large eggs for the incubator. In this case, there is a high risk of chicks dying during incubation. But even if a few ducklings survive, they will be weak and frail.
When using an incubator, the eggs do not turn over or get wet. In this case, the ducklings will die during hatching with almost 100% probability.
Breeding chicks without constructing a queen cell. Indian ducks will feel uncomfortable if there are many other birds in the room.
Old eggs are used for incubation. The older the eggs, the less likely they are to hatch ducklings.

Raising turkey ducks for meat

The main advantage of Indian ducks over regular ducks is lean meat with excellent taste and good growth rates.
In just 2 months, an Indian duckling grows to 2-2.4 kg. It is not advisable to keep the bird any longer. 70-day-old ducklings begin to molt and lose weight. Then stumps (the beginnings of new feathers) are formed, which are difficult to remove from the carcass. The main advantages of Muscovy ducks compared to other poultry:

Indo-ducks are the most viable compared to other farm birds. This type of poultry is characterized by a high survival rate. Under optimal conditions of detention, 95% - 100% survive until the moment of sale.
Muscovy ducks do not require special housing conditions. For growing, an easy modernization of the simplest barn or other type of premises is sufficient. The main conditions: warmth, ventilation and absence of drafts.
No need for a pond. Unlike other ducks, Indian ducks can be perfectly kept in small garden plots, and for all their necessary needs a simple trough with water is enough.
When strangers appear, Indian ducks do not start screaming and do not create a constant feeling of discomfort.
The bird is unpretentious in food. She can easily eat a variety of types of food.
Edible eggs. Something an ordinary duck cannot boast of. Each Indian duck will lay about 100 large eggs (70g each) in a year.

It is worth noting that Indian ducks can pluck each other’s feathers, which is explained by experts as a lack of nutrients in the diet. Then you should add greens and vitamin supplements to your diet.

Pros and cons of breeding the breed

Indo-ducks from the point of view of poultry farming have both pros and cons. Both small private farms and large poultry farms are engaged in breeding.

Advantages and disadvantages

disease resistance, high level of offspring survival;

unpretentiousness in drinking and eating;

high egg production, large eggs;

tasty, valuable dietary and nutritious meat:

calm, accommodating character.

not too fast growth and weight gain;

mediocre taste of eggs;

when kept in small houses they become aggressive.

Seasonal cultivation

In practice, seasonal rearing of turkey ducks in a private backyard for meat is most often used.

How this approach works and why it is so popular:

the poultry farmer purchases eggs and “hatches” them using an incubator or laying hen;
then the bird is fattened. At the 3rd month of life, the ducklings reach a weight of 2-3 kg and the duckling is sent for slaughter;
short-term seasonal rearing allows you to avoid many problems - no need to build a large or capital poultry house, lower feed consumption, and so on.

Permanent content

Indo-ducks can also be raised by permanent keeping. In this case, you can get a lot of eggs and meat. At the same time, you need to understand that constant maintenance at home is not very cost-effective due to various factors:

Duck eggs are not very popular on the market (compared to chicken eggs). Therefore, it will be more difficult for the poultry farmer to look for markets.
With constant maintenance, you will have to spend a lot of money on feed and building poultry houses. Therefore, permanent maintenance will be justified only in the case of either a very large or very small brood.

Meat and eggs for yourself and for sale

To always have fresh duck eggs on the table, 5-6 duck eggs are enough. You can also take 1-2 drakes so that they periodically fertilize females to replenish the herd.

Ducklings can be raised until they are 3-4 months old, after which they can be sent for meat. If necessary, you can scale this approach to produce more eggs and meat.

Excess products can be put up for sale to generate additional profit.

Benefits of Breeding

Male Indian duck

For those who are going to keep indo-ducks, it is certainly important to know the advantages of breeding these birds.

Easy to grow and breed. Indo-ducks do not need a pond; they will be quite satisfied with a small trough, which will serve as a drinking bowl, a place for splashing, and teaching the cubs to swim. No special conditions are required for breeding; a regular farmstead will do.
Unpretentiousness in food. In the warm summer, you can easily save on food, because the birds themselves will find food in the form of grass or insects. In general, these birds are quite omnivorous, so even in winter there will be no problems with food.
Good survivability. Strong immunity allows these birds to withstand many diseases and infections that kill other breeds of poultry.
Fast growth. In just a couple of months, the chicks grow into adults and are already suitable for slaughter for meat.
Great character. Muscovy ducks are non-aggressive, get along well with other birds and do not create conflict situations. In addition, they do not cackle or scream. This provides peace to the owners and their neighbors.
Excellent meat and egg characteristics. Indo-duck meat is low-fat and dietary. Many people highly value it, noting the lack of a specific taste inherent in other waterfowl. Meat is more expensive than chicken. The same goes for eggs. Due to the fact that they are not as common as chicken ones, they are more expensive. In addition, they are distinguished by a high content of protein and carotenoids.

Which breed to choose for breeding

There are two main categories of Muscovy ducks - wild and domestic. For breeding, it is recommended to purchase domestic ones, since wild ones have more freedom-loving dispositions and are less productive in meat and eggs.

Overview of the main breeds of Indian ducks for home keeping and breeding:

Black Indians. The feathers are predominantly black with small splashes of green and purple on the back. Most black Indian ducks have brown eyes.

Black and white Indian ducks. They are similar to birds of the previous breed with the only difference being that there are small white spots on the chest, head and neck. Eye color is light brown.

White Indians. These birds have all the feathers white, and the paws and tip of the beak are yellow. This breed does not have a greenish tint. The eyes of white Indian ducks are usually gray-blue.

Brown wild turkeys. The duck's body is a deep brown color, but the tips of the feathers may have white or black spots. Small white spots may also appear on the head and neck.

Blue wild ducks. The feathers of the bird have a rich blue color with a slight green tint. The breed is rare, so these ducks are often kept at home as decorative birds.

Note! The last two varieties of the breed produce fewer eggs and meat.

Reproduction

Indian ducks reproduce quite well. Many farmers note that this breed is much easier to breed than other poultry.

Male and female

Formation of families

Raising several families of Muscovy ducks is considered the most profitable. One family is formed from 3-5 ducks and one drake. The male may be the same age as the females or approximately 6 weeks older. In the latter case, you can take a male from a previous bred batch.

A family can be formed when the drake reaches 20 weeks of age. Until this point, you need to keep them separate from each other. In spring, duck fertility will be higher than in late summer. This is due to the seasonality of the sexual instinct. Females begin laying eggs from the end of March. To make them start laying eggs earlier, you can create artificial conditions by increasing the daylight hours with the help of lamps.

Indian eggs

Breeding ducklings

The female begins to nest when at least 15-20 eggs have been laid. After just a couple of days, she can be given up to 10 more eggs from other females. Laying hens are separated by partitions, otherwise if they get caught by other people's ducklings, they may abandon the nest.

Two hens of Muscovy ducks

The hatching time for chicks is 33-35 days. They should be left with the mother duck for about half an hour, and then taken under the lamp. When all the ducklings have hatched and dried under the lamp, they can be returned to the duck. On average, one hen hatches from 40 to 60 ducklings in one season.

Incubator

An incubator is considered the most effective way to hatch ducklings. The chicks need to be hatched in an incubator in three stages.

Stage 1. In the first week, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of +38 degrees and a humidity of no more than 60%.

Stage 2. From the second week to the fifth, the temperature is lowered to +37 degrees, and the humidity is maintained at around 45%.

Stage 3. Starting from the fifth week, the humidity is increased to 75%, and the temperature is left at the same level.

Ducklings usually appear on days 33-34.

Private farmstead: MUSCLE DUCKS [INDOOKS], PEKING DUCKS - BC, GUINEA FARK

OUR PRIVATE YARD OFFERS:

ducklings (indo-ducklings) are brown, white, black and mixed. Guinea pigs - Zagorsk white-breasted, by agreement - Volga - white (cream) and gray-speckled. Chickens - Brahma, Cochin. Egg and meat breed (laying hens) - Kuchinsky Jubilee, Andalusian. Turkey poults are white broad-breasted, bronze broad-breasted.

The availability of one or the other depends on the time of year and season, please check the information by email - write to us or by phone + 7 903 5382284

ABOUT BIRD

Muscovy duck

Muscovy ducks or INDOUCKS. In recent years, they have become increasingly popular among poultry lovers. People quite seriously call them Indians, and not at all because they had common ancestors with Indians, but, perhaps, because of the similarity of their main “outfits” - coral growths on the roll. Muscovy ducks were introduced into the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1981 from the German Democratic Republic and in 1988 from France. They are more common in homesteads. They are immigrants from South America. They have a long and very wide body without a pronounced keel. The tail is long and wide, with stiff tail feathers. They have a relatively large head. The face is bare, with fleshy formations on the beak. Muscovy ducks are distinguished by their original appearance and differ in many ways from their peers, violating our usual ideas. They have a wide chest and a short neck, long, powerful, tightly fitting wings and short legs with long claws pointed towards the top. Ducks are calm, unpretentious to food, hardy, practically impervious to many infectious diseases, and can live without bodies of water. In the bird yard they behave separately and do not keep company with other species. Plumage color: black and white (with a green or blue metallic tint), white, brown (red), variegated. The main purpose of their breeding is meat production. The live weight of adult drakes sometimes reaches 6 kg, and of ducks - 3 kg. Muscovy ducks feed well and produce tasty, lean meat that resembles game and has a spicy taste. If you keep musk ducks only for “meat,” you can mate females with drakes of any other breed. The result is early-ripening and larger hybrids with lean meat, but they are sterile. Taste - ideal dietary lean meat with a fat content of up to 22%, unlike Peking duck, where it can be up to 37%. Doesn't have any flavors like other ducks. There is an opinion among gourmets that the meat of “red” ducks is very similar to young veal, and white ducks are very similar to turkey. They also have the most delicious duck eggs weighing 70-80 g. The liver of musk ducks is used to prepare delicious foie gras! Time frame for raising musk ducklings for meat . The timing of raising ducklings for meat is related to the biological characteristics of ducks. The plumage of ducks consists of three layers: down, small feathers and the top layer of feathers. At birth, the body of ducklings is covered with down, which is the top of the future covert feathers. As the primary down wears out from the 20-23rd day of life, it is replaced by covert feathers. Feather growth ends by 45 days of age. Soon after the change from fluff to feathers, juvenile molting begins. During this short period of time, it is necessary to slaughter the ducklings in order to avoid “stumps” when plucking. By this time, the ossification of bone tissue has already ended. The period of juvenile molting lasts 1.5-2 months. Therefore, the deadline for slaughtering ducklings is 13 weeks, and the next one is from 20-24 weeks.

Features of growing and keeping musk ducks. Recently, Muscovy ducks have become widespread among the population. And rightfully so. Unlike Peking ducks, Muscovy ducks have more muscle tissue (54% versus 41%) and much less fat (22% versus 37%). From each adult drake you can get 700-800, and from a duck - 350-400 g of pectoral muscles, while from Beijing 350 and 320 g, respectively. Killer yield of muscles ducks is 8-10% higher than the slaughter yield of Peking ducks. Throughout their entire evolution, musk ducks lived constantly in zones of high external temperatures, did not use seasonal migrations, and did not have the need to accumulate remove warming subcutaneous fat and create reserves of it. They have preserved this feature to the present day. In the first week of life, the temperature in the room should be no lower than 32°C, and for adult ducks - 16°C. Drafts pose a great danger to ducklings, especially for the first three to four days. Therefore, when organizing the raising of Muscovy ducklings, you should not allow temperature fluctuations or drafts. Although the duck is a waterfowl, it does not tolerate dampness. Relative humidity during all periods of the year is required for ducks of any age within 60-70%. An important factor in the effective rearing and maintenance of both adult birds and young birds is the stocking density: in the first 2-3 weeks of life, 20 birds per 1 m of floor, with aged drakes - 6, ducks - 8 heads per 1 m2 for floor cultivation (when kept on mesh floors - up to 12 heads). Muscovy ducks avoid communication with other bird species - they stay apart and use perches. They are also conservative towards their habitat. Any movements, even from section to section, can cause stress in them and, as a result, a decrease in egg productivity and weight gain in young animals. That is why ducks must be transferred to permanent residence in advance, 4-5 weeks before the start of egg laying. Unlike other species, Muscovy ducks begin laying eggs early in the morning and finish by 3 p.m. The peak time for egg laying is at 10 am. The broodstock is completed with ducklings born in May - July. Egg production of musk ducks occurs in cycles - 5 months each, with a subsequent interval of three months. They reach maximum egg production at 8.5 months. What’s interesting about keeping ducks is the establishment of relationships between each other when exploring a new place of residence until it is fully established. Winning the right to be first in skirmishes among themselves, the drakes end the duel with a sexual assault of the winner on the loser. Showdowns are more common the larger the community. For every four females, in accordance with the zootechnic regulations in the group, it is necessary to keep one drake of the same age, or better yet, a month and a half older (the drakes mature later). “Youth”, more pronounced than “teenagers”, begins from the 20th week of life, when they begin to choose those they deserve. In connection with this, at this age they begin to be combined with females for joint keeping. In females, economic maturity occurs earlier: at 196-200 days. But you should not provoke early oviposition in them: light and feeding before this period should be moderately limited. If you keep poultry for slaughter until 2-3 months of age, such separation and approach is not required. In some publications there are sometimes statements that musk ducks do not use bodies of water. Water is the duck’s element. But the muscular ones care too much about their health and they won’t go into cold water. Peking - “knee-deep sea.” The low water temperature is not a barrier for them, the warm fat layer reliably protects the body from hypothermia, which is why they become “walruses”. You cannot neglect the timely watering of ducks, especially for newborns. They need to be given clean water at room temperature immediately after hatching, which will restore the body’s water balance and facilitate earlier food intake. The feeding and feeding front for ducklings is 2.5-3 cm per head. Good results are obtained both qualitatively and quantitatively when growing interspecific hybrids from crossing Muscovy drakes with Peking ducks. kposkov. Their yield of gutted carcass is 66%, muscle yield is 48%. When obtaining such mulards (hybrids), the best fertilization results are obtained with a sex ratio of 1:3. Despite the white plumage of one of the parents, mylards in most cases have dark plumage and partially pierced skin at the time of slaughter. To control the growth and development of muscle ducklings, we recommend using live weight indicators (see guide table).

A few words about feeding and vitamins. There are several approaches to feeding, the first: - since Muscovy ducks eat almost everything, they can be fed with wet mash. You can give finely chopped grass, beet tops, kitchen waste, grain, barley, potatoes, bran (very good for fattening for meat), they eat corn especially well. Feeding should always be done with added water. Muscovy ducks also love worms and insects. Keep in mind that ducks are keenly interested in anything shiny (shards of glass, nails, pieces of metal) and can swallow them, so keep the walking area clean. - second: feeding with compound feed. In the absence of a special one, chicken is used for laying hens. Feed costs per 1 kg of growth average for ducks - 4.5-4.8 kg, for drakes - 3.7-4.9 kg. Ducklings can also be raised on mixed feed (except for the first 2 days), it is given in the form of a finely ground mixture or so-called “dust” with the addition of bran and premixes. Due to the presence of basic elements and vitamins in such feed, as well as the main types of grains, including corn, the bird grows quickly and is absolutely healthy. - Remember! In the case of the first feeding method, sand and fine gravel must be present - it is either poured periodically in heaps into the enclosure, or added to containers with food, or placed in a separate container. - Remember! Poultry feed is not intended for steaming - this is a huge misconception! In this case, it loses 50% of its nutrients - you can get confirmation of this at any feed mill. Dry feed is intended for dry feeding. If you still need to prepare a wet mash, use water with a temperature no higher than 35C maximum. It is also necessary to remember about special premixes that improve growth, muscle mass, egg production, etc. - “Ivan Ivanovich” for adults, “Sunny” - for ducklings. If birds have any specific developmental abnormalities, they can be corrected by adding certain vitamins to their food. Vitamins differ in chemical structure and properties. There are fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble: vitamin A (retinol), vitamin D (calciferol), vitamin E (tocopherol), vitamin K (phylloquinone, mapadione). Water soluble: vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and B vitamins – B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (pantothenic acid), B4 (choline chloride), B5 (nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, vitamin PP), B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), B12 (cyanocobalamin), vitamin H (inositol, biotin), Bc (folic acid). The amount of vitamins in food is expressed in micrograms (mcg), milligrams (mg) and conventional units of action on the body, called international or international (IE, IU). — Poultry’s need for vitamins depends on age (in young people it is higher), physiological state and increases sharply with infectious diseases, diseases of the digestive system (the process of vitamin absorption is disrupted), stress conditions, poisoning, the presence of high concentrations of ammonia in the air, and an increase in ambient temperature environment. Under the influence of stress factors, the birds' need for vitamins A, D, B2, B3, B5, B12 increases approximately 2 times, and for vitamins E and K - 4 times. Vitamin A is necessary to increase the resistance of the upper layer of the mucous membranes of the intestines, upper respiratory tract and cornea of the eyes, regulate metabolism and stimulate growth in poultry. Contained in fish oil, milk, egg yolk. Plant foods do not contain vitamin A, but they contain carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Carrots, young green plants (especially clover leaves), and grass meal are rich in carotene. Vitamins of group D are used as therapeutic and prophylactic agents. In terms of their effects on the body, vitamins D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol) are the same, but vitamin D3 for poultry is 30–40 times more active than D2. This vitamin regulates phosphorus-calcium metabolism, stimulates the development of bone tissue and egg shells. Group D vitamins are found in fish oil and yeast. Vitamin E normalizes the function of reproductive organs and activates the removal of toxic products of fat metabolism. This vitamin is found in green grass, grass meal, sprouted oats, barley, corn, soybeans, dairy products, eggs, and vegetable oils. Low-quality fats should be excluded from the diet, since the substances contained in them destroy vitamin E. Vitamin K affects the metabolism of connective tissues and increases blood clotting. It is found in green peas, carrots, spinach, tomatoes, as well as in herbs - alfalfa, clover, nettle - and flour made from them. Vitamin B1 is necessary for the physiological resistance of the body, carbohydrate metabolism and normal functioning of the nervous system. This vitamin is found in yeast, bran, cake, soy flour, whey, and green parts of plants. Vitamin B2 is necessary for the growth and development of young poultry, productivity and hatchability of chicks. This vitamin is found in sprouted grains, greens, dairy waste, and brewer's yeast. Vitamin B3 maintains the normal state of the nervous system, normalizes protein and fat metabolism, and neutralizes toxic substances that enter the bird’s body with food. This vitamin is found in yeast, animal feed, grass flour, and cake. Vitamin B4 is essential to prevent perosis in poultry. Contained in cereal seeds, beets, legumes, yeast. Vitamin B5 is required for metabolism; it activates the nervous, cardiovascular and nutritional systems. Contained in yeast, bran, carrots, cabbage leaves, potatoes, green grass. Vitamin B6 regulates protein metabolism, promotes normal hematopoiesis and blood clotting, and nourishes the skin. Contained in animal feed, yeast, grass meal. Vitamin B12 is involved in hematopoiesis, the synthesis of nucleic acids and amino acids, the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, and affects egg production, hatchability, and the viability of young and adult birds. Contained in animal feed, especially fishmeal. Vitamin Bc is closely related to vitamin B12 and is involved in cellular metabolism. Contained in soybean meal, fresh vegetables and green grass. Vitamin H regulates liver fat metabolism and maintains normal skin nutrition. It can be synthesized by intestinal microflora. Peas and beans are rich in biotin. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is synthesized in the bird’s body and is involved in metabolism, accelerating the process of feather change and wound healing. It is found in grass meal, carrots and green feed.

REMEMBER - THE MUSCLE DUCK IS ONE OF THE MOST UNDEFINING BIRDS, GIVING US DELICIOUS DIETARY MEAT!

Contacts:

MO-PODOLSKY DISTRICT Website: https://www.steel-dom.ru/ PHONE: + 7 903 538-2284 E-MAIL

Profitability of breeding musk ducks

Many livestock breeders, farmers and household owners know that breeding indo-ducks can be a very profitable business if done correctly. The meat of this bird is valued for its taste characteristics and dietary benefits.

This breed of bird does not require special care and is not picky about feeding. They do not need to be constantly monitored; they are completely independent and can move to and from a pond without the participation of their owners.

Poultry house equipment does not require significant costs, especially if you make feeders, drinkers and other amenities yourself. The only costs are grain feed and vitamins. In any case, the money spent will soon pay for itself and bring in a good income.

According to experts, the profitability of breeding turkey ducks for meat is about 70%.

Duck diseases

If owners do not show enough attention to their pets, they may get sick. Most often, musky ducks are exposed to infectious, viral and parasitic diseases:

rickets;
lack of vitamins;
cloacite;
catarrh and goiter blockage;
vitelline peritonitis;
intestinal poisoning;
cannibalism.

If you follow all the rules and conditions for keeping poultry and take preventive measures, then the immune system of Indian ducks will not allow various diseases to arise.