SUSTAINABLE DUCK REARING USING POLYTHENE PONDS LINERS
Praveen Srivastava,CEO-LBCS.
Prashant Kumar, CEO-Riya Enterprises.
There is a silver lining between every cloud,so is the case of COVID19 Pandemic in India.when whole world including India is facing huge financial and unemployment crisis we can see a rays of hope in the Livestock sector particularly in rearing Duck and fish farming where there is 100% guaranteed profit return with secured investment provided it will be managed in the scientific manners.Here i am trying to give a brief details of a sustainable duck farming which are now a days prevalent in the Chhotanagpur plateue region with less investment.During the lockdown period we have got several queries from elite class people of diversified field who want to take up this Duck rearing as an startup amid Covid Pandemic.So for them also the article will be helpful.
In nature duck is a water bird. Man has domesticated the wild duck, and by selective breeding and are removing it from its natural habitat, has produced strains which he uses for both meat and egg production.
Duck constitutes about 10 per cent of the total poultry population, occupying second place to chicken in the production of table eggs in the country. Scientific duck raising was practically non existent in the country, except being tended to by the weaker and disorganized sections mostly in the Southern and Eastern coastal areas. North-eastern India and Jammu and Kashmir. Considering the greater scope for duck farming a an effective tool for the socioeconomic development of rural masses, to provide leadership in research and training in respect of duck, a Central Duck Breeding Farm was established at Hessarghata during the Fifth Five year Plan where a scientific breeding programme is being undertaken with imported Khaki Campbell ducks.
Advantages of Duck Rearing Over Poultry
Ducks do not require any elaborate housing and less attention than chicken as compare to poultry.
Ducks lay about 40-50 eggs more than chicken.
Duck eggs are 15-20 grams larger than chicken eggs.
Ducks are quit hardy, more easily brooded and are resistant to many avian diseases.
Duck rearing is economical as compared to chicken by virtue of their feeding habits of foraging.
Ducks have a profitable life as they also lay economically in second year, it reduces the cost of replacement.
Marshy river side and wet land are excellent quarter for duck farming where chicken or other types of livestock will not flourish.
Cannibalism and agnostic behaviour which is very common in chicken is not usually encountered with ducks.
Accurate data of egg laying can be recorded for breeding purposes without wastage of time and labour.
Because of comparatively more heavy, duck eggs provide more nutrients per egg than chicken egg.
Ducks are suitable for integrated farming systems, such as duck cum fish farming.
They are not so susceptible to disease and parasites in comparison to chickens.
After hatching it is simpler to sex ducklings than it is chickens.
The down and small body feathers of the ducks are valuable and used for different industrial purposes.
Ducks are good exterminators of potato beetles, grass hoppers, snails and slugs.
Generally there are three categories of breeds
Egg-type
- Khaki Campbell
- Indian Runner
B) Meat-type - White Pekin
- Muscovy
- Aylesbury
C) Ornamental-type - Crested White
Egg-type ducks: Ducks normally begin to lay at about 6 months of age. Ducks of the improved laying breeds are for all practical purposes non-broody. For the purpose of fertilised egg, one drake for 5-6 ducks is normally allowed with slight increase in the number of drakes at the beginning and towards the end of the season, during which time the drakes are less active. Drakes should be placed with the ducks at least one month before fertile eggs are required.
Khaki Campbell:
The breed has been developed from a cross of Fawn and white Runner, and Mallard ducks. Drucks have brownish-bronze lower backs, tail coverts, head and necks the rest of their plumage is khaki; they have green bills and dark-orange legs and toes. Ducks are of seal-brown heads and necks—the rest of their plumage is khaki; and they have greenish-black bills and brown legs and toes. The adult drake weights between 2.2 to 2.4 kg. While the female weighs between 2.0 to 2.2 kg and that of an egg is about 70 gms. Egg productions have average close to 300 eggs per duck within a laying year. Start egg laying 6 weeks earlier.
Indian Runner:
There are 3 standard varieties of Runner ducks. Indian Runner is also layer having an average record of more than 250 eggs per annum and is second only to Khaki Campbell
The Fawn and White Runner
The breed is fawn or grey and white, with a white neck and a line of white running upto the eyes and extending around the bill. The back and shoulders are fawn, and the upper part of the breast and wings are fawn, but the lower part is white. The breast is full; the body is long and narrow, sloping gradually into the neck, and is carried erect, with no indication of a keel, the body resembling somewhat that of a penguin in shape. The shanks and toes are orange red. The bill of the young drake is yellow, later becoming greenish yellow, while a young duck has a yellow bill spotted with green, which later becomes a dull green.
The White Runner
It is pure white in all sections. The bill is yellow and the shanks and toes are orange.
The Pencilled Varaity
The head of the male is a dull bronze-green and white and the back has a soft, fawn ground, finely stippled with a slightly darker shade of fawn; the body and the upper section of the breast are medium fawn and the tail is a dull bronze-green. The head of the female is a medium fawn and white, while the white markings in the plumage resemble those of the male. The coloured markings are a medium fawn throughout, with a light line of fawn colour running round the edge of each feather, the border being a darker shade..
Meat-type ducks:
Though duck meat is widely accepted among the non-vegetarians but still it is not popular due to its non-availability. In comparison to hen, duck meat is slightly rich in fat (14.5 per cent) total energy (190 Kcal/100 gm). The protein content is very close to hen and averages to about 13 per cent. White Pekin is the most popular meat-type duck in the world. Muscovy and Aylesbury are the next best types.
A sort of broiler type of ducks are reared at Kolluru lake area of Andhra Pradesh; specially for meat. They are similar to broiler chicken but these are marketed at the age of about 6-8 months. The meat of such ducks is said to be more tasty besides, being more nutritive.
White Pekin:
The breed originates from China. These are large white feathered birds. They have orange-yellow bills, reddish-yellow shanks and feet and yellow skin. Their eggs are tinted white, which is considered less important than its capability to produce excellent quality meat. Birds of its breed are by virtue of nervous temperament, bad sitters and thus should be treated gently.
Muscovy:
It is more like a goose in more ways than one; for instance, it is a grazer and eats grasses in the same way as a goose. These are very strong and powerful in flight, yet very tame and friendly.
Unlike the drake of other breeds, the Muscovy male has no curl feathers in his tail. Unlike other females (ducks), the incubation period is 36 days; also the ducklings are not in first full feather until 16 weeks of age, whereas the ordinary duckling is in full feather at 12 weeks.
There are 2 standard varieties of Muscovy ducks, the white and the dark. The head and face of the Muscovy are partly bare, with red, rough, carunculated skin. It has a long, broad body, with greater breadth.
The white variety has pure white plumage, pale orange or yellow legs, and a pinkish, flesh coloured beak. The dark variety has got a lustrous blue black, broken with some white breast, body and back.
Muscovies are armed with very long and sharp claws and are quite capable of opening one’s wrist or hand unless it is firmly grasped by the wings.
Aylesbury:
The plumages are white, legs are short but sturdy and orange in colour. Due to its light bone and high percentage of creamy white flesh, the breed is regarded as delux table bird. It also produces excellent meat and reaches market weight in 8 weeks. Eggs are tinted white.
Ducks are being reared all over the world and almost 75% of them are found in Asia. Domestication of wild ducks first started in china (as early as 4000 BC), and it posses the highest duck population in the world. Duck eggs and meat are an important source of nutrient in the human diet. The per capita availability of eggs in India is only 80 per annum against the ICMR recommendation of 180 eggs per annum.The availability of chicken meat is approx 5 kg per capita while recomendation is 11kg .So there is huge scope for duck rearing in India.
Table 1. Comparative status of nutritive value of chicken and duck egg
Parameter Chicken Duck
Mean egg weight (g) 57.0 75.0
DM (%) 26.4 30.3
Protein (%) 12.9 13.5
Lipid (%) 10.9 14.5
Ash (%) 0.9 1.0
Source: Smith A.J. (1990)
Table 2. Performance chart of Khaki Campbell (egg type)
1 Age at first lay 120 days
2 Annual egg production 250 eggs
3 Body weight at 40 weeks 1.8kg
4 Egg weight at 40 weeks 66 gms
5 Daily feed consumption per bird 120-130 gms
6 Duckling mortality( 0-8 weeks) 2-3%
7 Grower mortality( 8-20 weeks) 0.2-0.5%
8 Adult mortality( 20-72 weeks) 2-3%
Source: CPDO, Govt. of India, Hessarghatta
Types of Duck Rearing in India:
Duck rearing systems are divided into 2 types. To start the duck rearing one should be aware of the rearing systems because it gives an outline of how ducks are going to be raised based on our economical inputs.
- Extensive System
- Semi-Intensive and Intensive
Extensive System of Duck Rearing in India:
In India this is the most suitable type of duck rearing used by the landless farmers and poor people and this system doesn’t need housing nor feeding systems. The ducks are fed near the waterways, harvested paddy fields or also any type of grain fields. Grains like Sorghum, Paddy and another type of non-usable grains are fed to give them a good nutrition.
Housing –
these are made by inexpensive means like Bamboo or other type enclosures like sticks and leaves
Semi-Intensive and Intensive Systems of Duck Rearing:
In India, farmers use this Semi-Intensive and Intensive System of Duck Farming in less intensity. These systems are best for the Commercial Purposes.
Brooding, Rearing and Housing of Duck Farming:
Brooding (0-4 Weeks):
The layers like of Khaki Campbell ducklings brooding period is 3 to 4 weeks. Furthermore, for meat type ducklings like Pekin, brooding for 2 to 3 weeks is enough.
Rearing (15-16 Weeks):
Under the intensive system, allow a floor space of 3 square feet up to 16 weeks of age. Under the semi-intensive system, a floor space of 3 square feet per bird is best in the night shelter. While 10 to 15 square feet as outside run per bird up to 16 weeks of age.
Housing to Start Duck Farming in India:
Ducks do not require elaborate houses. You have to make sure that there is proper ventilation at the same time it is dry and rat proof. Furthermore, the Shed type, gable or half round type of Roof is best for the Duck Rearing in India. While Solid or Wire floors are common in India for the Rearing of Ducks for Meat and Eggs.
Under the semi-intensive system, the house should have easy access to outside run as the ducks prefer to be outdoors during the daytime and even during winter or rains.
Feeding and Nutrition in Duck Farming in India:
Coming to Feed of Ducks, you have to give dry mash, a combination of dry and wet mash or pellets. Ducks prefer wet mash which is easy to swallow. The pellet feeding, though slightly costly, has distinct advantages such as saving in the amount of feed, minimum wastages, saving in labour, convenience and improvement in sanitary conditions. Always provide surplus drinking water when you provide feed to the ducks.
Feed the ducks based on their age with
• Starter Mash
• Grower Mash
• Layer Mash
Polythene Pond Duck Rearing in India:
These days amid COVID19 crisis there is a huge craze for Duck Rearing in India. Most of the small-scale farmers in India are opting Duck Rearing. Duck Rearing in India is an easy option to have good returns. Hence in the near future, many will opt for the Duck Rearing.
Steps To Start Polythene liner Pond Duck Rearing:
This is a new practice in the Duck Farming History in India. While this is an innovative model has seen success in various districts of Bihar & Jharkhand among farmers.
- Rectangle Shaped Pit: Measurements of 64 feet(rectangle) or 55 feet(square) should be made and a 2.0feet depth pit is dug with an implement like a spade.
Furthermore, a duck house is built measuring 10*8 feet and construct a rectangle shaped pit. - Spread Polythene Sheet: Take a polythene sheet of 7-8 feet width and completely line the inner sides of the pit. Use heavy objects like stones to fix the polythene sheet in position. Once you place the stones, fill the pond with water into the polyethene sheet. While you fill the water, the stones don’t allow the water to slip the polythene inwards. It requires a total of 300 litres of water to fill the pit. Furthermore, introduce Khaki Campbell ducklings of 25 day-old age into the house. Due to the addition of impurities, one has to change the water once in every 10 days.NB:Now a days a variety of Polythene liners are available in
- To litter and level the floor of the ducklings’ house, use dry rice husk or simply by sand. You should also fix a 100-watt bulb to provide the brooding temperatures.
- Feed: Soak the Wheat-based Duck mash in water. You have to provide this with the help of plastic or steel bowl. Always provide clean drinking water at regular intervals.
- Once the brooding period is over the ducklings of 35 days old, allow them to roam outside. The reason behind this will make them adapt to the new environment.
- Allow the 5-week old ducklings to drink water from the polythene pit. While you should provide the ducklings with food materials and water in bowls. Prepare a mixture of Half-Boiled Broken Rice and Wheat in the ratio of 1:1. This is to provide additional nutrition to the birds. About 70 grams of this mixture is enough for each bird.
- Once reaching the adult stage, allow the ducks to scavenge outside on insects, small plants and other feeds and when the females reach 5 months age, they begin to lay eggs. During this time wide-mouthed earthen pots are kept inside the duck house. Furthermore, always release the ducks after 10:30 in the morning so that the ducks lay all the eggs inside the duck house and not outside (this is due to their egg laying habit).
- Ducklings of KhakiCampbelll will hatch in 28 days. While to prevent the blindness, dip the heads of ducklings in water which have completed their 10th day.
- You can sell drakes for their meat between 3-4 months.
- Furthermore, Vaccinate the birds to prevent the Cholera and plague.
Cost of Polythene Pond Duck Rearing in India:
it requires 2200 rupees to set up this unit and Cost of polythene (3mt/pond at Rs 175 per metre) comes to Rs. 525, cost of purchasing 25 ducklings (at Rs. 35 per day old ducklings is Rs 875.) Feed cost during brooding at 10 kg for Rs. 30 per kg is Rs 300. Other miscellaneous costs come to about Rs. 500 (Rs.20 per bird). Total expense is Rs. 2200.
Income of Polythene Pond Duck Rearing in India:
• Income from selling male live bird (10 nos at Rs. 400 each) is Rs. 4,000. Eggs are sold at Rs.8 each (about 240 eggs from 10 birds) comes to Rs. 192,00. Income from sale of female birds at Rs. 300 each is Rs. 3000.
• Totally the gross income is approximately Rs 26200 within a year and a half. Net profit is Rs 24000.
Breeds of duck available
Sylhet Mete,
Nageswari,
Pad Hanh,
Khaki Campbell,
Sera Chameli,
Muscovi (China Hanh) and
Indian Runner
Advantages of duck rearing
• Rearing of duck is comparatively easier than chicken.
• Growth rate is high: Hybrid duck will attain up to 3 kg live weight in 50 days.
• Duck meat is uniformly dark and palatable.
• Duck lay more eggs per bird per annum than chicken (Avg. 250 eggs annually per khaki Campbell bird).
• Duck eggs are larger and heavier than chicken eggs, and have slightly higher nutrient value.
• Duck feather can be used to manufacture high quality bedding materials.
• Duck is generally hardy, resistant to a wide variety of diseases.
• Water for swimming is not essential, though ducks come
under the category of water fowl.
• They are suited to a wide range of housing systems.
• Ducks play an effective role in controlling of pest. They
exterminate grasshopper, snails, slugs, potato beetles,
mosquito larvae, etc.
• Ducks are well suited in an integrated farming system, e.g. duck-fish farming, duck-paddy farming, duck-fish-paddy farming.
Housing of ducks:
• Ducks may be reared in an intensive, semi intensive, free ranging or backyard system.
• No elaborate housing is required for ducks. House with shed type roof with concrete floor and an outside run is best suited. The house should be well ventilated and rodent proof.
• Ducklings are brooded at 29 to 30°C temperature for a period of 3-4 weeks in litter, wire floor or batteries during the first week. It is reduced by about 3°C per week until reaches up to 24° C during the fourth week.
• Under the intensive system, a floor space of 4 to 5 sq. ft per adult bird is essential, whereas, a floor space of 2.5 to 3 sq. ft. per adult bird should be provided as night shelter in case of semi intensive system of rearing
• Water in a drinker (5″ to 6″ deep) should be provided to allow immersion of their head. Under a range system, a flock of 1000 birds can be reared in one acre of land.
Feeding of ducks:
• Duck may be grown on wet mash. During the first eight week, birds should be fed ad libitum, and later they may be fed twice at the morning and late afternoon. An adult duck consumes about 100 to 120 gm of feed per day.
• Duck feeds should be stored at cool and dry environment to avoid mould formation. Weeds and phytoplankton like Lemna, Wolfia and Azolla may be fed to the ducks. The use of range, ponds and supplemented green significantly reduces feed cost. Kitchen waste like broken rice, vegetable peelings, etc. can be effectively utilized in the backyard rearing system.
• It is always to be kept in mind that duck should never have access to feed without water.
Health care:
Duck Farming has both advantages and disadvantages. Out of many such disadvantages, domestic duck health problems is one. Hence it is necessary to have some idea regarding the new duck disease which might bring some loses to the Duck Farmers.
• Ducks are resistant to common avian diseases. Duck plague is the most common viral disease and there is no treatment for it. However it can be prevented by administering Duck Plague Vaccine at 8 to 12 weeks of age
• Duck cholera is another common disease caused by bacteria Pasteurella multocida. Inappetance, fever, thirst, diarrhea and sudden death is observed in birds suffering with Duck Cholera. Antibiotics like Enrofloxacin, Tetracycline, Sulpha quinoxaline, Erythromycin etc. can be used effectively to control the disease. Duck cholera vaccine should be administered for prevention of duck cholera outbreak.
• Botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum, is a serious disease in duckling and adult. The disease can be prevented by avoiding ducks to scavenge on decaying organic materials.
• Ducks are also highly susceptible to aflatoxicosis caused by a mould called Aspergillus flavus. High humidity, rain or improper drying of feed favours this mould growth. There is no treatment for aflatoxicosis. Birds usually recover when the source of aflatoxin is removed.
• Ducks are usually resistant to internal parasites.
Table 3: Vaccination schedule against common diseases in duck
Name of the Route Dose Age of Duck
vaccine
Duck Cholera Subcutaneous Duckling 3-4 weeks lml Adult 2m1
After one
month of last vaccination
Duck plague Subcutaneous 1 ml – 8-12 weeks
Source: CPDO, Govt. of india, Hessarghatta
Conclusion:
Low input, high disease resistance and feed efficiency provides ample scope in this enterprise. The misconception that water is imperative for duck farming that has discouraged people of Jharkhand from this enterprise. However, Duck rearing in scientific way is advantageous and profitable like any other poultry farming particularly in Jharkhand & Bihar
Reference-On request.
