• General Information
• Breeds
• Breeding Ducks
• Ducklings
• Growing Ducks
• Laying Ducks
• Care & Management

Management of ducklings

Ducklings may be reared in intensive, semi-intensive or range system. Under intensive system, allow a floor space of 2790 cm² in deep litter and 900 cm² in cages, up to 16 weeks of age. Under semi-intensive system, a floor space 1395 cm² per bird is allowed in night shelter and 929 to 1395 cm² as outside run area per bird up to the age of 16 weeks. The temperature under the hover should be 30^oC for the first few days. The temperature can be reduced by about 3^oC for every 2-3 days. During summer, provision of heat for brooding can be stopped when the ducklings are 8-10 days of age whereas during rainy and cold season it may have to be continued for a longer period (2-3 weeks).

Ducklings can be brooded using battery brooders as well. Though multi-tier battery brooders can be used single tier battery brooders are easier to manage.

Ducklings can be fed with a mash containing 20% protein and 2750 kcal/kg ME up to 3 weeks of age and a mash containing 18% protein and 2750 kcal/kg of ME from 4 th to 8 th week of age. The feed or feed ingredients should be free of mould/fungal growth and aflatoxin.