Ducks along with chickens, geese and turkeys are a popular poultry. They are bred both in private household plots and on large farms. These birds are profitable enough for breeding, because, in addition to eggs and tasty meat, they are a source of valuable fluff, as well as fat. However, what exactly you will receive in the greatest quantity depends on the breed of bird. Like other domestic birds, egg, meat, and mixed duck species are distinguished by productivity (taken from )
Domestic duck and wild
All our domestic ducks come mainly from one species of wild cousin - mallards. Like wild birds, domestic animals also have short webbed feet, a relatively small head, an elongated body, and a short neck. All of them belong to a single group of waterfowl. In nature, wild ducks live near freshwater bodies of water or on the seas, and also settle in wetlands. Like wild relatives, domestic ducks also prefer to eat plant foods and small underwater inhabitants (shells, mollusks, fry).
Species classification
So, as we have said, all breeds of domestic ducks are divided into three main types by type of productivity. Consider the main indicators of each of them:
- Meat is the most popular type of duck, which is characterized by high fertility and early maturity. They have a large body weight (up to 2.5 kg in two months), and females are able to produce up to 50 ducklings every year. With good nutrition and the necessary conditions, the offspring quickly gain weight and is ready for slaughter at the age of 2-2.5 months. This group includes such breeds as the White Moscow, Rouen, gray Ukrainian, Beijing, black white-breasted.
- Egg - a breed of ducks with a low mass, but characterized by high egg production. However, these birds are the least demanded, because although their productivity is not inferior to chickens, they are not profitable in content. But such ducks are very mobile and often have a beautiful appearance. The most unusual and quite popular are Indian runners.
- Meat-eggs are universal breeds that have gained the greatest popularity among private owners. Domestic duck of this species is medium in size and is characterized at the same time by good egg-laying performance and excellent meat. Like meat breeds, they also gain weight quickly, but are unpretentious in food and care. These include mirror ducks and khaki kembell.
Who are musks, or indonesians?
Another type of domestic ducks, which is becoming more and more popular and popular every year. This type is somewhat separate, since it does not come from mallard. Their ancestors are the wild birds of South America and Mexico. By the way, there still exist wild populations of musky ducks. They differ from other domestic breeds in a more dietary lean meat, as well as greater versatility in content.
Musk does not require a pond on the site, they are silent, and also have a calm disposition.