Homestead Duck and Goose Production
(Page 3 of 10)
DAY-OLD DUCKLINGS
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Once the question of desired breed has been settled, and
contact has been made with a reputable hatchery for the
purchase of the ducklings, we are ready to undertake the
raising of our ducks. Numbers ordered will depend on space
available, how much time we wish to devote to our birds and
the number of ducks, eggs, or both that we are interested
in producing. We started with 25 ducklings (ordered from a
Wisconsin hatchery and flown air express) and we raised
every one of the 24 that were alive upon arrival.
Ducklings may be successfully placed under chicken hens in
brooding coops. However if hens are not available,
ducklings are the easiest of all fowl to raise with an
artificial brooder.
These brooders may be the same ones that we used for either
chickens or turkeys. Ducks are maintained at a temperature
of 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week, 80 to 85
the second and at about 75 the third, and from then until
the ducklings are six weeks old, they should be kept at
from 65 to 70 degrees. After that, ducklings require no
heat unless the breeder is situated in a very severe
climate where it might be prudent to allow the ducks a
little heat during cold nights for their seventh and eighth
week. Great care should be exercised in keeping the litter
in the brooder room dry and watering devices should be
arranged so that ducks cannot climb into them and get wet.
Under no circumstances should ducklings be permitted to
swim or to become wet before they are at least six weeks
old or until they are well feathered.
HOME-GROWN DUCKLINGS
Selection of breeding ducks is much the same as that of
breeding chickens. The ducks should be selected as being
truly representative of their breed and for their broad,
deep bodies. They should have straight breastbones, be of
good size and show considerable vigor.
A good Pekin female should produce about 120 eggs during
the laying season (from January through May) and the ratio
of drakes to females should be no wider than one to seven.
They should be allowed to roam in a fairly spacious pen,
have access to swimming water and should be kept in a
thrifty but not overly fat condition.
Eggs should be kept at a maximum temperature of 60 degrees
Fahrenheit between laying and setting and the sooner that
eggs are set the better. Pekin and Runner ducks seldom set
and few duck fanciers have found it practical to hatch
ducklings under their mothers. Instead, chicken hens are
used and they will incubate from 13 to 15 eggs handily.
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