How long do ducks live: average lifespan in nature and at home

Ducks are waterfowl living in the wild. Birds are also bred on farms. Many factors influence the lifespan of a mallard: nutrition, care, maintenance, hunting. In domestic individuals, this indicator is justified by performance. The older the bird, the lower its productivity. Let's try to understand the question of how long domestic and wild ducks live.

How long do ducks live

The life expectancy of wild birds is much lower than that of pets. This is due to the constant risk in nature: predators, diseases, hunting. Agricultural breeds can live up to 15-20 years.The purpose of the birds also affects the age range.

Eggs

Representatives of egg breeds are bred to produce eggs and meat. Therefore, livestock productivity is important for farmers. A he althy individual is most productive up to 6-7 years of age. Further, its maintenance becomes unprofitable for the farm.

Various factors can shorten the life of birds. These include injury, illness, infection. Improper care and improper nutrition of poultry also shorten its lifespan. If the main task of the poultry farmer is to benefit from eggs, then egg-laying individuals are raised, on average, up to 3 years of age.

Meat

Representatives of this group gain optimal weight on the 90th day of life.Upon reaching this age, the gain in muscle mass of the bird slows down sharply, and the appetite increases significantly. Further, keeping the duck at home becomes unprofitable, it is sent for slaughter. The younger the representatives of the duck family, the more valuable their meat.

Meat and Eggs

The lifespan of individuals is affected by egg production or weight gain. If the bird quickly gains weight, but does not lay eggs well, then it is sent for slaughter in the third month of life. With high egg production, the duck is left up to 2-3 years of age. The average age of this group of birds is one to two years.

Ducklings by 60 days gain weight up to 4 kilograms. A lot of weight takes a long time. An adult drake is able to gain up to 6 kilograms of body weight by two years of age. The largest individuals are left for breeding. Pets are kept up to 4 years of age. Then the livestock is rejuvenated.

What affects the lifespan of a bird?

The age range of birds is influenced by many factors. Wild birds become victims of hunters, wild animals, diseases. Pets face other dangers.

When breeding ducks at home, the poultry breeder requires increased attention.

Young and he althy individuals can die from a tick bite or insufficient care. To protect the livestock from negative factors, to increase their lifespan, the farmer must provide the ducks with everything they need:

1. The poultry house is kept clean, there should be no excessive dampness.
2. The duck house is located on an elevated area so that insects and rodents cannot reach the offspring.
3. It is important to exclude drafts, a high-quality ventilation system is organized in the house.
4. Birds are provided with comfortable living conditions. Ducks are placed on the basis of: 3 individuals per 1 square meter.
5. The livestock are provided with constant access to drinking water and feed.
6. Observe the temperature regime, the indicator should not fall below +0.5 degrees.
7. For birds, they organize a walking area with a place for swimming.

Lack of walking area will lead to rapid obesity of birds. Low temperatures promote the development of diseases. Animal he alth and performance depend on proper nutrition.

The farmer should regularly feed his livestock with a complex of vitamins and minerals.

How long do ducks live in the wild?

The lifespan of wild breeds depends on the habitat of the livestock. In nature, the survival rate of ducks is much higher than that of court relatives. According to research, scientists have determined the maximum age of a wild individual - 20 years. But up to this age, a bird living in its natural environment survives in rare cases. The premature death of birds in nature is affected by:

1. People engaged in hunting, as well as the development of infrastructures that lead to the extermination of the natural habitat of animals.
2. Predators living near nesting ducks.
3. Diseases, injuries, parasites that can destroy an entire livestock.

On average, mallards manage to live up to 12-14 years. Other breeds found in the wild live about 2-3 years.

Ducks are adapted to wild living conditions. A properly composed diet, timely care and grazing will help save the life and he alth of the duck family.Subject to these rules, waterfowl representatives will bring the maximum benefit to the poultry farmer, he althy offspring, tasty meat.

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