Raising Ducks - Tips For Beginners Before Buying Ducks

If someone would want to enter animal raising
business, why choose raising ducks? And how do
you raise them? Ducks are also more
resistant against extreme weather. And they lay
yummy eggs. Many animal farmers are now
considering keeping ducks instead of the more
popular counterpart, the chicken. This is
because raising them is less expensive. 

Ducks are the considered one of the most
climatic condition stable of the avian species.
Their housing needs not be elaborate, just a
simple dry and sheltered house. They can eat a
wide variety of feeds and are resistant to
several diseases. They also mature fast,
starting at 4 months. Mature ducks of the Pekin
breed, the most popularly raised in the Unites
States, can weigh up to 11 pounds. That is a
good source of duck meat and profit too.

More than 20 million ducks are raised yearly in
the United States. Though they may be raised for
egg laying, they are primarily raised for their
meat. 90 percent of duck meat eaten in the US is
from one breed alone, the Pekin duck. Note that
even if they lay large and nutritious eggs,
raising ducks for meat is preferred because they
require more egg-laying feeds compared to
chicken.

Houses for raising ducks can be made with light
materials like wood or bamboo. The required
condition is that it should be kept dry so that
bacteria growth will be minimized and the
temperature remains warm enough. Keeping the
shelter dry is usually done by spreading corn
cobs or peanut hulls on the flooring. It is
advisable to build the shelter near a stream so
that the ducks can swim and exercise.Most ducks
are social animals and like to be played with
and petted.

Another interesting phenomenon is when new
ducks, say previously from another cage or yard,
are introduced in another group of ducks. There
is an observed pecking order among ducks and
this can get vicious at times. However, the
"ritual" will subside. Owners must watch out if
the new ducks are being too deprived of food and
water. That means new food containers and water
pans should be made available.

If a raiser choose egg-laying as his/her central
business, then the trade is not much of selling
the eggs for food but for hatching them and
selling the ducklings later. Embryos develop in
the egg in about 28 days at 95 degrees
Fahrenheit and up to 75 percent humidity.

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They must also be sprayed with pesticide, at
least once a year, to avoid mites and worm
species that may harm them. The essentials of
raising ducks are providing them with clean
drinking water and multivitamin feeds. If you
would like more tips on raising ducks, please
visit: http://www.howtoraiseducks.com

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