Duck blue favorite: breed description and characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

Ducks of the blue favorite breed are considered to be in high demand. Many farmers are engaged in their cultivation. Caring for birds is easy. At the same time, they are distinguished by high productivity parameters and have low-fat meat. In addition, representatives of this breed are characterized by rapid weight gain, which makes them attractive to many breeders. A characteristic feature of birds is a beautiful bluish-gray plumage.

Origin of the breed

This breed of duck is also called pharaoh. It was received in Russia. This happened in 1998.Ducks were bred at a poultry farm located in the Blagovarsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The blue pharaoh was an intermediate result, but it turned out very well. Peking ducks were used as a base. An interesting option would be a favorite crossed with an indo.

To this day, there is debate as to whether this breed is independent or is a factory cross. In fact, it would be more correct to call her a cross favorite.

External description and characteristics of ducks blue favorite

Ducks of this breed look unusual. Their feathers are characterized by an original shade, which is a mixture of gray and blue. A distinctive feature of birds is the birth of ducklings, the shade of feathers of which is very different from the parent. The maximum weight of adults reaches 5 kilograms. Birds gain such a mass already in six months.

Ducks of this breed are characterized by a massive elongated body. It is quite heavy and is characterized by a low location. In this case, the chest protrudes forward. A medium and strong neck is complemented by a small head with a large beak.

Small wings fit well to the body. Ducks also have short legs. They are gray or yellow. The eyes are dark in color. Over a long period of existence, many shades of feathers of this breed were obtained - blue, red, ashen, white, black. There are also multi-colored individuals.

This breed is considered meat and egg. These ducks quickly gain body weight, but this does not affect productivity parameters. When creating optimal conditions for birds, the weight of drakes is no more than 6 kilograms. In this case, ducks weigh a maximum of 5 kilograms. Young ducks aged 2 months have a mass of 3 kilograms. They can be used for sale or your needs. Birds should be sent for slaughter up to 5 months. Older birds have tough meat. At the same time, the weight does not increase so quickly.

It is recommended to slaughter adult birds only after molting, after which feather needles do not remain on the skin.

Females start laying eggs at 8 months. A duck produces 150 eggs per year. The weight of 1 piece is a maximum of 90 grams. To get the maximum amount of eggs, it is recommended to introduce special feed for laying hens into the menu. It increases the number of ovulations. At the same time, productivity parameters do not depend on climate. Ducks are perfectly laid at low or high temperatures. Not only meat and eggs are suitable for sale, but also down with feathers. Such raw materials are considered to be of very high quality.

Main pros and cons

Pros and consundemanding to the conditions of detention;attractive appearance;rapid weight gain;beautiful plumage;a small fat layer;calm character;high parameters of survival of adults and young birds;affordable price;the possibility of growing in different climates;unpretentiousness to the diet;high egg production parameters;great taste of meat and eggs.the presence of feather stumps in adults that have not molted;lack of a pronounced maternal instinct;the need for a reservoir.

How to keep and care for a bird

Growing birds at home has certain features. Ducks can be bred in different climates. This is very important for Russia, since in most regions of the country there are serious temperature contrasts in summer and winter. Not all breeds of birds are able to withstand such fluctuations without reducing productivity parameters.

It is permissible to keep representatives of this breed in a light hangar, a barn without insulation or an aviary. When constructing a building for ducks, it is important to ensure that there are no drafts in it.In addition, it is recommended to systematically bathe birds. For this, it is permissible to use even an old bath. However, a natural reservoir is considered the best option. Birds will be able to find vegetable or protein food there.

High humidity in the house is considered normal. To avoid excessive parameters, it is worth making a deep litter in the area of drinkers. It should be sawdust. It is also permissible to leave an earthen floor in this place.

Birds have a strong immune system, so they can constantly walk in the fresh air.

Representatives of the breed are characterized by a calm and docile disposition, which makes it possible to keep these ducks in a common poultry house. They feel great next to chickens and other birds. However, when keeping birds together, it is important to place drinkers on an open range. The fact is that chickens can hardly tolerate increased dampness in the barn.

Features of the diet

Birds are unpretentious to the diet. Ducks can be easily fattened with compound feed. It is also acceptable to use cereal types of feed. Birds can get plant food on the run. If possible, they find food in the reservoir.

For accelerated weight gain ducks are recommended to use mash. Vegetable scraps are also a great option for feeding. It is permissible to feed birds with boiled potatoes. They also eat zucchini and pumpkin. There are no particular difficulties in compiling a diet for ducks, since birds practically do not encounter digestive disorders or intolerance to certain types of food. A prerequisite is the absence of spoiled food in the diet.Such products can provoke food intoxication, which will negatively affect body weight gain.

Breeding Rules

For successful breeding of birds, first of all, it is important to learn to distinguish ducks from drakes. To determine the sex, you should pay attention to the tail feathers. The male has 2 upturned feathers, while the female has none.

Such ducks do not have a pronounced maternal instinct. Therefore, only another hen can carry out incubation. An incubator is also suitable for this purpose. Sometimes the females still sit on the eggs. However, this is more the exception than the rule. Therefore, it is not recommended to count on it.

If incubation is not possible, it is acceptable to purchase day old ducklings from farms. This breed is characterized by a minimum mortality, therefore this option is considered cost-effective.It is advisable to raise chicks from your own eggs only if you need to get a large livestock or if you cannot purchase them on the farm.

Possible diseases and methods of dealing with them

This breed is characterized by a high degree of disease resistance. Adult birds are almost not susceptible to pathologies. Ducklings sometimes face various disorders. This often happens in the first days of life.

When growing birds of this breed, there is a risk of such problems:

1. Avitaminosis - is considered a common disorder that occurs in ducklings. The cause of the problems is deviations in the diet. To avoid the development of the disease, it is recommended to add Phytocalcivit to the food of young animals. This premix contains all the important elements.
2. Urovskaya disease - occurs when there is a lack of minerals in the body. As a result, birds begin to pinch each other's feathers and eat them. For the treatment and prevention of pathology, it is recommended to use Phytocalcivit.
3. Omphalitis - is an inflammatory lesion of the umbilical tubule of a non-infectious nature. For treatment, it is worth using weak solutions of antiseptics, which are used for washing.
4. Cuticulitis is an intestinal pathology that most often affects ducklings up to 1 month old. To combat the violation, a weak solution of potassium permanganate is used.

Ducks of the blue favorite breed are very popular with farmers. In order to succeed in growing them, it is important to follow a number of recommendations.

Recommended