Mute ducks: description of the breed and breeding at home for beginners

Mute ducks are considered by farmers to be one of the most successful breeds for breeding at home. The bird is unpretentious, does not require special conditions for keeping. The meat is tasty and does not contain a lot of fat. And knowing some care features will save beginners from mistakes and make the growing process simple and profitable. Mallard offspring are prolific and have not lost their brooding instinct.

History of the origin of the breed

The oldest breed in the world dates back to the time of the Aztecs. According to one version, ducks, which are also called musky, were bred in the Muisca Indian tribe.Other researchers believe that the birds received such a name due to the aroma that releases fat when heated. And the third nickname - whisperers - was assigned to ducks for the ability to make quiet sounds instead of loud quacking.

Mute ducks came from South America to the African continent and to Asian countries along with slaves returning home. Gradually, domesticated mallards spread throughout the world.

At first, poultry farmers were reluctant to breed the musky subspecies. Farmers were repelled by the unpleasant appearance of birds. But over time, breeders appreciated the high productivity of ducks. Shipunov is often used by breeders to breed new breeds.

Description and characteristics of mute ducks

Shipunov are easy to recognize by their large elongated body with widely spaced paws. There are red outgrowths around the flattened beak of the indoutok.

Birds quickly gain weight, drakes - up to 6 kilograms, more miniature females weigh about 3.5 kilograms. The best age for slaughtering mute ducks is 2 or 3 months.

In the future, birds get better due to the accumulation of fat. Indian meat is highly valued. The product does not have an unpleasant odor. The egg production of mute ducks is average. Females lay up to 100 eggs each year, each weighing around 90 grams.

Pros and cons

Mute duck farmers are attracted by their peaceful disposition and quiet behavior. Birds also have some disadvantages.

Pros and consThe main advantage is the taste and relatively low calorie content of meat, as well as the quality and size of eggs.Developed brooding instinctAbility to hatch chicks in an incubatorStrong immunityFemales bring offspring 2 times a yearBirds are omnivoresCan do without waterPoor survival in tight spacescold intoleranceThe percentage of egg production of mute ducks is lower than that of other breeds

The presence of negative qualities does not interfere with the cultivation of mute ducks. Birds have more positive traits.

Maintenance and care requirements

When breeding mute ducks at home for beginners, the advice of experienced poultry farmers will be useful:

1. Birds are kept in spacious rooms. In tight quarters, mute ducks show aggression. No more than 3 individuals can get along on a square meter.
2. Ducks are afraid of drafts and sudden changes in air temperature.
3. The poultry house is recommended to be kept clean and cleaned regularly.
4. The floor is covered with straw or sprinkled with dry shavings.
5. Perches are set at a height of 10-15 centimeters from ground level.
6. Good lighting for 14 hours increases egg production.

There is also a paddock for walking birds near the poultry house. It is useful for ducks to be outdoors from morning until late at night.

The period of sexual activity of drakes begins in April and lasts until July. 1 male fertilizes 2 or 3 ducks. Laying hens from 6 months old are kept in a separate room.

Food

Mute ducks are unpretentious in food, but they approach the preparation of a diet for waterfowl responsibly.

FeatureCerealsBarley, wheat and ground cornGreensDandelions, clover, freshly cut meadow grass Vegetables

Product name
Fish oil, bran, bone meal, s alt, yeast, shells

Experienced grain farmers feed ducks in 2 doses. Half of the daily amount is given raw, vegetables and herbs are added to the rest.

If there is a reservoir, the mute are transferred to grazing from 10 am. And the mixture of cereals with other ingredients is received by birds 1 time per day. Overfeeding is as bad for poultry as underfeeding.

Breeding

Mute ducks reach the age of sexual activity by 9 months. Usually domestic birds rush at night or at dawn. For this reason, waterfowl are not sent to graze too early. The number of eggs in the nest is carefully controlled. The laying hen does not begin to incubate until 15 pieces are typed. Sometimes farmers lay eggs for the female, which the duck with the lost maternal instinct refused to incubate.

It takes a little over a month for the female to incubate. All this time, the ducks may not get up. Birds turn eggs on their own and sprinkle them with water from their beaks.

When breeding mute, do not cross with individuals from the same offspring. Closely related ties lead to pathologies and degeneration.

Possible diseases

Duck immunity is high. But some diseases are inherent in this breed:

1. 2-week-old chicks sometimes develop viral hepatitis. Sick ducklings become lethargic and lose their appetite. A course of antibiotics is prescribed for treatment.
2. With poor maintenance, birds develop parasitism. In this case, disinfection of the entire room must be carried out. Pathology is fought with the help of medications.
3. Salmonellosis is manifested by convulsions and conjunctivitis. House sanitation and antibiotics help to correct the problem.
4. Green, frequent stools, refusal of food means eimeriasis. In this case, veterinarians prescribe complex treatment.
5. One of the most terrible diseases is cholera, which can destroy the entire joint. Typical symptoms are swollen paws and high fever. The meat of such birds is no longer suitable for food. Duck carcasses are burned.

To prevent the development of dangerous pathologies, mandatory vaccination of birds is carried out. Hygiene measures are important.

Mute breeding is a profitable business. If you follow simple rules for the care of ducks, they quickly gain weight. Poultry meat is tender, tasty and without a specific smell. Additional income can be obtained from the sale of eggs.

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