Ducks are a delicacy in many countries while others
consume them in moderate quantity. The bird’s meat is not as popular as turkey,
chicken or beef. In a country like Nigeria turkey meat is popular while
unpopular in Ghana.
In Nigeria there is no empirical data on number of ducks
farmed annually, marketing or consumption. This offers a challenge for
entrepreneurs looking to invest in the industry. However the focus on organic,
chemical free meat has increased the demand.
Modern living focuses on health consciousness and food
safety. For centuries wild-ducks are game birds in aristocratic settings. But
are now domesticated and farmed.
Although the interest in duck consumption has raising top
poultry meat are chicken and turkey. Poultry meat now extends to quail, duck,
ostrich and guinea fowl. Other types of poultry are waterfowl, geese and
peafowl.
Why
Farm Duck
The meat is a delicacy and a good source of protein. The
birds are hardy and not easily susceptible to diseases. It requires small
investment, low feeding cost to run a farm. Infrastructure is basic, easy to
establish and low cost.
• Good
source of protein
• The birds
are hardy
• Diseases
resistant
• Requires
small investment
• Low
feeding cost
• Basic
Infrastructure
• Easy to
establish
Types
of Ducks
There are many species of ducks both wild and
domesticated. Popular ones are Blue Swedish, Aylesbury. Others include Buff,
Muscovy, and White Pekins.
• Blue
Swedish
• Aylesbury
• Buff
• Muscovy
• White
Pekins
Uses
A farmer can introduce ducks to their free-range poultry
farm. This is because they are good companions and natural pest control. They
add manure to soil, good source of meat and feathers. The birds also attract
premium price in the market.
• Good
companions
• Natural
pest control
• Add manure
to soil
• Good
source of meat and feathers
• Attract
premium price in the market
How
to Start Duck Farming
In developing countries duck farming is almost
nonexistence. This is because the meat was regarded as poor man’s food. Poultry
farms focus primarily on chicken and turkey production.
To start duck farming you need land space and source of
water supply. You can create an artificial pond and demarcate the land with
fencing.
The amount of startup capital is small as opposed to
chicken farming. Start with a foundation stock of 1 male and 3 females.
Habitat
Ducks are regarded as waterfowls and the best habitat are
regions with high rainfall. They grow well in the tropics, cool and riverine
areas.
Pen
or Cage
Most farms operate the free range system. This system
allows the birds to wander about the farmland. They grow well alongside
domesticated chickens.
In many parts of Africa the birds are raised in
traditional subsistence rearing system. Free-range birds are varsities,
prolific and are capable of raising themselves with very little assistance.
Some farmers raise them in chicken cages or pens. However
they need to provide adequate water for the bird.
• Free-range
• Traditional
subsistence rearing system
• Pen/cage
system
Food
The birds can digest a variety of protein rich food,
fiber and non-conventional feed-stuff. They are prolific scavengers, eat
insects, worms, grains and seeds. The type of food they eat is low cost and
easy to source in the local market.
• Protein
rich food
• Fiber
• Non-conventional
feed-stuff
• Prolific
scavengers
• They eat insects
• Worms
• Grains
• Seeds
• Grass
Eggs
The waterfowls lay about ninety to hundred eggs per year
depending on species. They start laying at eighteen weeks. The reproductive
cycle is in three phases, laying (fifteen days). They incubate for twenty eight
to thirty days and brooding phase is sixty to sixty three days.
Marketing
Sell your produce to supermarkets, grocery stores,
restaurants. Others are hotels, food outlets, frozen and live food vendors.
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