How many ducks grow before slaughter: table of meat yield from live weight by day

Duck meat is considered a he althy dietary product containing the required amount of protein and fat. Ducklings grow very quickly, and already at 2 months they reach their optimal live weight. Novice farmers often make mistakes in calculating how many months ducks grow before slaughter. A duck that is too old can lose its taste properties and feed costs will increase by 20-30%. Therefore, it is very important to know the terms of slaughter and observe them.

How long do ducks grow before slaughter

Usually ducklings grow up to slaughter within 2 months. In early maturing breeds, the period can be reduced to 45-50 days.The average normal weight gain for the period is 2-2.5 kilograms. At this age, the meat is already quite tasty, and the feathers are not hard, they are easily plucked. For cultivation, it is better to select well-moving and large ducklings, which are strikingly different in weight from their peers.

The weight gain strongly depends on the breed of duck and the quality of feeding, conditions of detention. During the rearing of young animals, the following rules must be observed:

1. Proper diet - a balanced diet high in protein. Includes crumbled boiled eggs, grains, crushed corn. From the age of two weeks, you can give cottage cheese and chopped greens, waste from the table.
2. Giving greens systematically - without it, the digestive system of waterfowl does not work properly, so they do not gain weight well.
3. Proper lighting - at least 10 hours of daylight in summer and winter. The light intensity can be 15-20 lux.
4. Daily cleaning and adequate bedding. Water in drinking bowls and other containers is changed at least once a day, and preferably several times a day in the warm season, otherwise a persistent smell appears.
5. Permanent access to water - keep in dry rooms without a trough or basin for bathing is prohibited.

Following these simple rules, you can hope for a good gain in the shortest possible time. By the age of 2 months, Peking duck reaches 2.5, and sometimes 3 kilograms.

What can affect the term

The timing of cultivation is greatly affected by lack of water. Some owners feed the birds abundantly, but forget to fill the drinkers on time. Because of this, ducklings quickly become dehydrated, and food is not digested properly.On the day you need to provide each head with 1.5 liters of water or 5 liters per 1 kg of feed.

Too low temperature leads to intense consumption of nutrients to heat the body, so the ducklings do not gain weight well.

The optimum temperature in the house should be between 20-23 degrees, and humidity - up to 65%. There is no need to overload the house too much - close proximity provokes constant aggression and fights among ducklings. Because of this, viability is reduced, and the risk of bird death is high. Placement of no more than 16 heads per 1 sq. room meter.

If you don't organize walking for ducklings in warm time, this may affect the bird's immunity. Walking should take place daily, starting at 4 days of age. On the street, the birds will be able to independently provide themselves with green fodder and get a sufficient dose of vitamins. The sun has a beneficial effect on the state of plumage, and active movement - on the growth of muscles and weight.

The chemical composition of poultry meat, which was on the range, differs from the rest - a high content of proteins and a minimum of fat, makes duck breast a dietary product suitable for athletes and seriously ill people.

Extended growing periods lead to the appearance of juvenile molting. After 55-60 days, feathers begin to change in ducklings. The body spends a large number of calories, so the birds lose weight, lose their presentation, and feathers are much more difficult to pluck. Therefore, the slaughter of young animals is carried out before the start of the change of feathers.

Duck meat yield from live weight

The net yield of duck meat in uneviscerated carcasses depends on the breed and ranges from 55-70%.

To calculate the yield, it is enough to make a proportion with the values indicated in the table:

823 weeks85090 4 weeks 5 weeks 13501106 weeks 1600120 7 weeks 17201508 weeks 1950168

Duckling age	Body weight	Total feed intake in grams
4 days	95	60
10 days	260	72
2 weeks	434
1100	100

As you can see from the table, the rate of weight gain becomes less intense by 8 weeks, so further rearing for meat is not advisable.

To calculate the meat yield from live weight, you need to make a proportion:

X=M(duckling mass)K(coefficient)

Coefficient varies depending on the breed of duck.

An example of calculating the net yield from the live weight of Pekin duck:

x=2300(live weight)0.86(peking duck ratio)=1978 - net weight yield.

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