1. Monitor the weight: Ducks with a laying rate above 80% should maintain a slightly reduced weight. Proper feeding of animal feed is essential. If the ducks gain weight and their body condition improves, but the egg production remains at 80%, you can provide some roughage and green feed, or adjust the amount of concentrate to avoid overfeeding. However, animal protein levels should remain stable or increase slightly. When the laying rate is normal and even higher, the protein content in the feed should be slightly increased. If the laying rate drops to 60% and cannot be recovered, no additional feeding is needed.
2. Observe the feces: Healthy duck droppings should be thick, soft, and have a shiny surface, dividing into segments when lightly pressed. This indicates a balanced diet of fine, coarse, and green materials. If the stool is hard and black, with granular ends, it suggests excessive concentrate and insufficient green feed, leading to poor digestion. Reduce the concentrate and increase the green feed. If the feces are loose, pale, and scattered, it means the concentrate is not enough, and the nutritional level is low—supplement with more concentrate. Yellow-white or gray-green feces with a foul smell may indicate illness, so isolate the affected ducks and treat them promptly.
3. Check the eggs: Abnormal or small egg sizes suggest inadequate nutrition. Increase the protein content by adding feeds like soybean meal, peanut cake, or fishmeal, aiming for around 20% crude protein. Adjust the daily grain intake accordingly. Thin, translucent, or porous eggshells indicate poor feed quality, especially calcium or vitamin D deficiency. Add bone powder, shell powder, or lime powder along with vitamin D supplements. If egg weight decreases, consider increasing cod liver oil or inorganic salt additives. If egg-laying occurs consistently around 2 AM, it shows proper feeding. If eggs are delayed and become smaller, adjust the feeding schedule and add more nutrients.
4. Assess the duck's behavior: A healthy duck with high egg production should be active, energetic, and able to dive for long periods. After landing, its feathers should be smooth and dry, with water droplets splashing when shaken. If the duck appears weak, moves slowly, and avoids water, it may be undernourished. Provide fresh live feed and supplement with cod liver oil—administer 1 ml per duck daily for 7 days as a course, or 0.5 ml daily for 10 days. Monitoring these signs helps ensure optimal health and productivity in your flock.
By regularly observing the ducks' weight, feces, egg quality, and overall behavior, you can make timely adjustments to their feeding regimen. This proactive approach ensures that your ducks remain healthy, productive, and well-nourished throughout the laying season. Always keep track of changes and consult a professional if unusual symptoms persist.
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