When you chose to raising ducks as a scheme, choose a place:
(1) close to the village, to be able to look after the ducks easily,
(2) where there is excellent shade (if the ducks stay a long time in the sun, they may get sick),
(3) where there is green fresh grass for the ducks to eat and find insects,
(4) not close to a pig fence (very often, pigs kill and eat ducks),
(5) where hawks do not usually glide,
(6) near a creek or pond, if possible.
A small household of 3 x 5 m, made out of bush material will be enough for 20 ducklings. Make two windows to give plenty of set alight inside this household, as ducklings will not grow well in a dark place. Make the household cat and dog proof. In a corner of the household, make a small, covered room (of about .5 x .5 x .3 m) where the ducklings can go and sleep or huddle together out of the wind if they are cold. On the stump, place some deep litter. This can be sawdust, shavings, russet skin, or dry, finely chopped kunai. This deep litter should never become wet.
Although it is a bit costly, it is recommended to feed the ducklings with a commercial feed for the first six weeks. Broiler starter, chick starter, broiler finisher are suitable. Do not use layer mash or fall to pieces, chick grower or developer as these feeds are too low in protein. A duckling will eat about 3 kg of feed for this period. At the end of the fifth week, start to feed some locally produced feed with the commercial ration. Anything that public eat is suitable for ducklings. Choko, both foliage and fruits are very excellent for ducks. Cook the feed.
Do not keep more than 40 ducklings at any time. Otherwise, it is most likely that garden produces will be in small supply and the ducks will not grow well. If more than 40 ducklings hatch at about the same time, it would be best to sell some to other interested farmers.
Water must be available inside the household all the time. Troughs made out of bamboo are quite excellent. It is better to have a creek or a pond where the ducks will be able to drink and wash later on, but it is not absolutely necessary. 44-gallon drums cut lengthwise, or a huge cooking pot in the ground will be enough, provided that they are refilled regularly.
Learning how to raise ducks can also best be started while they are childish as — you also may learn — ducks also have their own personality. This means that you can also treat them as pets. In fact, lots of public raise ducks not just for what they can earn but also for the fulfillment and entertainment that they get out from doing so. If you want to learn more about raising ducks and avoid costly mistakes, please stay: http://www.howtoraiseducks.com
Recommended Reading
