In rural areas, people often try to earn money with the help of a personal compound. One of the promising areas is breeding ducks and raising them for meat. You can also sell young animals, which are very well taken in the spring and summer. But what is the right approach to growing ducks so that it generates income? Learn from this article.
Breed description
Recently, farmers are more likely to take ducks meat and egg. Such a bird is more cost-effective and easy to maintain. The farmer will always be sure that, if necessary, he will be able to earn money on meat, and on eggs, and on the sale of young animals. Among the breeds, the American duck cayugu is well recommended.
Her homeland is the city of New York. The breed was bred by an American breeder near Lake Cayuga, which gave the bird a name. It is also called emerald or coral duck because of the unusual color of plumage.
The birds have a strong physique, widely set paws and a rounded head. The beak of this breed can only be black. The tail of the cayuga is of medium length, looking up. The eyes of the bird are brown, quite expressive. Kayugi have a soft complaisant disposition. They like walks in the fresh air and swimming in ponds.
The appearance of plumage
Initially, the kayugs may seem to have a black color, but this is not so. If you let them out in places well consecrated by the sunny color, their plumage will sparkle with blue, green and grayish-metallic colors. From the description of the kayuga duck, it follows that the sex of the bird in this breed can be determined by its color. The plumage of females is cast in blue, while in males it is more green.
In some individuals, a light speck, which is considered a disqualifying sign, may be noticeable on the chest. Such a bird will never be able to get high marks at agricultural exhibitions, as well as participate in breeding. If a farmer wants to breed ducks, he must carefully approach the choice of the future parent herd.
Productivity
The meat of ducks of the kayug breed has its own connoisseurs, but not everyone will like the appearance of its carcass. Females have an average live weight of 3 kg, while males have about 4 kg. After slaughter, the carcasses are not very large, which is very convenient when selling. But market buyers are reluctant to take kayug for the sale of ducks, because after plucking, they have dark hemp feathers on their skin. Removing them completely is very difficult, even almost impossible without losing the presentation of the carcass. But kayug meat is very tasty and not as fat as other ducks. It is because of the great taste of the product that they have their fans.
The first eggs of the cayug duck are black; they cannot be used for incubation. In the following, the color of the shell gradually brightens until they become light green. You can eat both light and dark eggs. Farmers use the products they receive for family consumption and for sale. On average, cows annually lay between 100 and 150 eggs.
House construction
Kayuga ducks, like other birds, do not tolerate drafts. The walls of the room should be strong and not blown by the wind. A layer of large sawdust or straw can be poured onto the floor. The litter must be completely or partially changed as it becomes soiled. The bird does not tolerate dampness in the room and can begin to hurt.
In order for the kayuga ducks to lay eggs well and gain enough weight, a 14-hour light day should be provided in the house. Many farmers use infrared lamps for this purpose, which also heat the room. The temperature in the chicken coop should not fall below +5 degrees.
Feeding troughs in the house should be equipped so that ducks could not get into them and scatter food. Also, for normal life, ducks need a shell rock, which should be in separate bowls. Drinking bowls in the chicken coop are best done automatic.
Content Features
The emerald duck cayugu easily adapts to any, even the most severe climate. In many regions, they can even be kept on a free range, driven into the house only at night. They are well adapted to grazing conditions and enjoy eating various bugs and worms with pleasure.
A farmer who wants to breed a kayug should have a spacious pond for them. If under the maintenance of ducks the shore of the lake is arranged, then under the water it is necessary to pull the net. Above you also need to equip some kind of obstacle for the bird.
Feeding
The basis of the kayug diet is various grains. Namely signs are the main energy supplier for ducks. The most popular types of grain are wheat, barley and corn. In summer, kayugs are happy to eat grass on a pasture, in winter they can be given fodder beets or pumpkins. Many farmers introduce cakes and meal to their poultry diets, which are an excellent source of protein.
Kayuga ducks also need vitamin and mineral supplements. Their farmers enter the diet according to the weight of the bird and the stage of its life. For example, a duckling has some nutritional needs, while an adult has different laying hens. Some farmers prefer to feed the birds with factory-made feed.
Breeding
Kayuga ducks usually rush in March, they are good hens, so you can not worry about offspring. But if desired, the farmer can lay eggs in the incubator. In regions with a mild climate, kayugs are often carried all year long. Typically, the bird itself sits to hatch after about 10 eggs have accumulated in its nest. If the owner does not want to engage in breeding, then they will need to be picked up.
The parent herd should consist of 1 drake and no more than 7 ducks. Only in this case, the eggs will have a good brood, which means that more chicks will hatch from them. If there are 10 or 15 ducks per 1 drake, then he will not be able to cope with his duties. The bird in the parent herd must not be related, otherwise the offspring will be weak.
Fattening for meat
Ducks gain weight well if they make the right diet. In addition, do not forget that kayugi is a meat and egg breed, large individuals can reach 4-5 kg. When fattening ducks, it is worth giving not only grain, but also wet mixers. Ideally, they should be steamed with meat broth, whey. The liquid must be warm.
From grain it is recommended to give preference to wheat, it is very nutritious and high-calorie. The diet should be supplemented with crushed corn and oilcake. Kayug is fattened for meat for 60 days, and then slaughtered.
Breed diseases
Photos of ducks are fascinating, you can admire their interesting plumage for a long time. But the birds of this breed are not only beautiful, but also resistant to many diseases. But the Kayuga is still subject to some ailments. For example, ducks, if not properly fed, can suffer from vitamin deficiency.
Adult birds can catch coccidiosis, in which case all dead animals must be disposed of. Another dangerous ailment to which kayugi are susceptible is aspergillosis. In this fungal disease, poultry can not be eaten even after prolonged heat treatment.
Owner reviews
In general, farmers are satisfied with their productive pets. They have not only tasty meat, but also airy, very warm fluff. Products from it will always be light and beautiful. The ducks of the kayug breed are very smart, they do not need shepherds during walks, they themselves unmistakably find the way to their own house. The bird easily adapts to harsh climates, and young animals obtained from it have a high survival rate.