Ducks - production guide

There are only a few small commercial duck farms in Queensland. Ducks are mainly raised for meat as a sideline venture to other agricultural interests. There are also some small flocks kept for egg production.

On this page:

• Breeds
• Selecting breeding stock
• Mating breeders
• Housing breeders
• Water supply
• Feed
• Handling and stocking densities
• Further information

Breeds

The most popular meat-producing ducks in Queensland are the muscovy, pekin and Aylesbury. The most common egg-laying breeds are the Indian runner and the khaki Campbell.

Muscovy

The muscovy is the most common breed in Queensland. It is well suited to sideline production because it is quiet, a good forager and is naturally broody. Muscovies are good mothers and hatch and brood their ducklings efficiently. They are not as well suited to commercial production as the other meat breeds. Minimising broodiness and artificially incubating eggs can increase the number of ducklings produced per breeder.

The muscovy is unique in that it is not a descendent of the wild mallard. It tends to hiss rather than quack. When crossed with other breeds, it produces sterile offspring called 'mules' which are good meat ducks.

Drakes weigh between 4.5 kg and 6.5 kg and ducks between 3.5 kg and 4.5 kg. The most common colour is white although other colours such as black and white occur.

Pekin

The true pekin originated in China and is now widespread throughout the world. The Australian pekin also has in its ancestry layer ducks such as the Indian runner and white Campbell. This has improved its egg production but reduced its body weight.

Pekins have an upright carriage, cream feathers and bright orange legs, feet and bill. The eyes are dark blue and the head is characterised by bulky cheeks.

Adult drakes weigh approximately 4 kg and ducks average 3.6 kg. They are good foragers as well as good layers, with up to 200 eggs per bird being laid in a season. They have a nervous disposition and are not prone to broodiness.

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Aylesbury

This breed originated in England and is renowned for its white skin. It has a horizontal carriage, white plumage, bright orange legs and a flesh-coloured bill. The adult drake weighs about 4.5 kg and ducks 4 kg. The Aylesbury is not inclined to broodiness nor is it as nervous as the pekin. Egg production is poor with l00 eggs per duck per year being considered above average.

The Australian Aylesbury has tended to be infused with other breeds, particularly the pekin. This results in a leaden-blue coloured eye rather than the characteristic dark eye. The plumage has yellowish tints and the carriage is more vertical than horizontal.

Indian runner

This breed originated in Asia and is characterised by its upright stance and its round, elongated body. The Indian runner is an alert bird with a small head and bold eyes. The bill is wedge-shaped, strong and deep at the base. Plumage colour ranges from pure white to black. They are excellent layers with individuals laying in excess of 200 eggs per year.

Khaki Campbell

The khaki Campbell originated in England by crossing rouen, white Indian runner and wild mallards. This breed has an upright stance and is larger in body size than the Indian runner. Drakes weight about 3 kg while ducks are about 2.5 kg live weight.

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Selecting breeding stock

The most important points in selecting breeders are:

• large body size for the breed
• vigour
• egg production.

Breeders can be selected on body weight at six to seven weeks of age. It is wise to select about 20% more ducks and drakes than required. Unhealthy-looking birds can then be culled as they mature.

Other factors to consider when selecting breeders are conformation, feed conversion, and rate of feathering.

Mating breeders

It is preferable to have drakes one month older than ducks, although birds of similar age perform satisfactorily.

One drake to five or six ducks is usually sufficient. Excessive treading may injure ducks and this can be prevented by removing one or more males. Injured ducks, if penned apart, normally recover and return to full lay.

Breeders are best brought into production between seven and eight months of age. Stock should be mated at six to seven months of age or one month before hatching eggs are required. Drakes will usually mate with any duck.

Housing breeders

Ducks do not require elite housing. The major requirements are:

• good-quality food and water
• adequate ventilation
• protection from predators
• dry bedding
• protection from rain and prevailing winds
• adequate space.

Breeders may be housed under intensive or semi-intensive conditions. For commercial production, the intensive housing of ducks is preferred although wet litter can be a problem. Regularly top up the litter, particularly around the nesting areas. This will assist in keeping hatching eggs clean.

A fenced run with a small house is adequate for a small breeder flock. Shade trees should be provided and it is important to choose a well-drained site. It is not necessary to provide a swimming pool to maintain fertility.

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Nests

Ducks will nest almost anywhere but prefer secluded areas with nest boxes on the floor of the shed. An alternative to nest boxes is to provide screened areas along a wall.

One nest to three ducks is sufficient if eggs are to be incubated artificially but at least one nest per duck will be necessary with natural incubation. Nest boxes can be constructed as a row of nesting compartments with each compartment measuring at least 30 cm by 40 cm with an open front. A running-board across the front will assist in containing the nesting material. To prevent fighting with neighbouring ducks, the side should be about 40 cm high.

Bacterial and fungal growth in eggs are a common cause of poor hatchability. Therefore, it is important to keep the nesting material clean and dry.

Lights

Ducks are affected by changes in day length. Increasing day length encourages egg production while shorter day length depresses it. Artificial lighting can be used in intensive housing systems to provide a l5-hour-constant day length. This assists in maintaining egg production throughout the year.

Water supply

Good quality, fresh, clear drinking water should be provided at all times, and where nipple or cup drinkers are used, ducks must have access to water at least 2 cm deep, to allow essential grooming activities.

Feed

Breeders need to be fed a balanced-diet to ensure good hatchability and healthy ducklings. A duck-breeder diet is preferable but care should be taken with the addition of coccidiostats to the feed as ducks are susceptible to some poultry coccidiostats. A poultry-breeder diet is a suitable alternative if supplemented with extra vitamin A. Fresh green feed is a useful supplement as it provides additional vitamin A.

Ducks can be fed either wet or dry mash, crumbles or pellets. Crumbles and pellets reduce feed spillage at the feeder and also result in cleaner drinking troughs. Where wet mash is fed, mould growth as well as flies can be a problem if leftover food is not removed.

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Handling and stocking densities

The Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals - Domestic Poultry 4th edition gives guidance on handling and stocking density as well as further information on the keeping of all poultry.

Catching and handling ducks

• Care must be taken in catching ducks to avoid creating panic and subsequent injury or smothering of the birds.
• The proper handling of ducks requires special skill, and should be undertaken only by competent persons who have been appropriately trained. It should be carried out quietly and confidently, exercising care to avoid unnecessary struggling which could bruise or otherwise injure the ducks.
• Day-old and young ducklings should be picked up bodily in the palm of the hand.
• If necessary to catch older ducks, older ducks should be lifted by the neck or wings and they should be supported either by taking the weight of the bird by a hand placed under the body, or by holding the bird with a hand on either side of its body with the wings in the closed position.
• Ducks should never be held or lifted by the legs.

Stocking densities for ducks

Maximum recommended stocking densities for ducks in confinement:

• ducklings to l0 days: 50 birds/m²
• ducklings at eight weeks: 8 birds/m²
• breeders: 5 birds/m².

Maximum recommended stocking densities for ducks in runs:

• ducklings at eight weeks: 5,000 birds/ha
• breeders: 4,000 birds/ha.

Note: lighter stocking densities are necessary for heavier breeds such as muscovies.

Further information

• NSW Department of Primary Industries