How to feed decoy ducklings: how to grow them, top 6 breeds

Decoy ducks are used in hunting to attract wild ducks. For this, birds are bred at home. Consider the common breeds, the main advantages and disadvantages, the care and maintenance of birds, how to feed decoy ducklings and adults, how to prepare a bird for hunting. How to prevent diseases in ducks when raised in households.

Who are decoys and why are they bred?

Decoy ducks are classified as a group of domestic breeds, similar in appearance to wild mallards. They are used to catch wild ducks. Hunting with decoy ducks is one of the types of Russian hunting, when the hunter leaves decoy birds on the water, while he himself waits nearby in a shelter.Ducks lure flying past drakes with their voice, males sit on the water, this allows the hunter to shoot at them. In Russia, special breeds have been bred, the breeding of which is practiced among hunters.

What qualities should I have?

The main characteristic for a decoy duck is the possession of a loud sonorous voice and the desire to give it. According to this criterion, selection is carried out. The exterior of the decoy duck does not matter, only light areas are not allowed.

Breeds

In Russia, breeds have been bred whose representatives are specially used for hunting. Each breed has advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at them.

Russian decoy ducks

Pros and consthe bird is not shy;hardy, tolerates negative environmental conditions;works effectively in spring and autumn;has a good voice;mobile and active, both on water and on land.dark color;unequal size of birds;the presence of defects in some individuals, due to which they are culled (loose build, crest, lack of a feather on the legs).

Semenovskie

Pros and consthey have a sonorous, loud voice attractive to mallards;bright coloring and attractiveness;high work efficiency;calm character, quick adaptability;suitability for night hunting.it is difficult to buy purebred Semenov ducks, because of the popularity of the breed they are crossed with other breeds, which is why they lose their characteristic features.

Tula

Pros and conshigh voice with a short draft;fertility;good performance at work.when crossing purebred Tula with other breeds, they lose valuable characteristic features.

Saratov

Pros and consattractive yellowish-gray plumage for wild mallards;thick, strong voice;unpretentiousness in care.small size of birds;not widespread enough.

Volokolamsk

Pros and consdeep voice with a short draft;large sizes;attachment to the owner.rare, so buying purebred birds can be difficult.

Penza

Pros and consmallard-like plumage;beautiful, sonorous voice;suitability for hunting at any time of the year;contact, quick adaptation.some birds can be shy and naughty.

Care and maintenance

To grow decoy ducks of any breed, you need to create certain conditions for them. You can keep in ordinary poultry houses, aviaries or even in cages. If there is a pond nearby, you can keep the birds there all summer. Caring for decoy ducks is the same as for regular ducks. In the poultry house, you need to change the litter, remove leftover food from the feeders, change the water.

If ducks are kept indoors, they need to be let out every day for a walk. Exercise has a positive effect on both the physical and mental state of the ducks.

Feeding

If ducks spend the whole day on the pond, they are fed with grain in the evening. If they live in a poultry house or aviary, they need to be fed at least 3 times a day. The diet of decoy ducks does not differ from the diet of ordinary breeds. Both ducklings and adult birds can be fed grass, crushed or whole grains, mixed vegetables and root vegetables.

Decoy ducks are omnivorous, they can be given kitchen meat and fish waste. Mineral additives, s alt and chalk should be added to the mixers. Put a bowl of gravel in the house and separately with clean water. It is not recommended to give a lot of boiled potatoes and feed them with compound feed.

Preparing ducks for hunting

The preparation of ducks begins at the age of 4-5 months. You need to train 2-3 individuals at once. Young animals need to be accustomed to themselves as much as possible, made tame. Such birds are accustomed to the company of other ducks, so that they are not afraid of their relatives, they are accustomed to a rope tied to the paw. Decoys should be gradually accustomed to the place where the hunt will take place, so that they do not get nervous when they have to work.

Simple disease prevention measures

Decoyers are distinguished by good he alth, with decent maintenance they rarely get sick. To prevent diseases, birds should be kept warm, in a dry and clean room. Feed good quality and fresh food.Let out for a walk. If the birds receive good nutrition, are kept in good conditions, ducks will not have to be treated.

In case of diseases, the therapy for decoys is no different from the treatment of ducks of ordinary breeds. To reduce the likelihood of infection of birds, it is necessary to solder drugs and vitamin preparations in time.

Cultivation of decoy ducks is practiced among hunters. Birds are kept to facilitate hunting, in which case a specially trained bird is indispensable. Old Russian breeds have been bred, among which you can choose the one that will meet the requirements of the hunter. An ordinary poultry farmer should choose a different breed of ducks, since decoys, in addition to special characteristics, do not have qualities that are valuable for breeding. Ducks do not produce much meat and eggs, are not large and are not prolific.

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