Breeds of ducks for home breeding: varieties and species

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If you bought a private house, then you are probably thinking that you need to start a farm. Imagine how good it is to always have natural, delicious and juicy duck meat on the table. But what breed of ducks is better to start? Newbie farmers often cannot decide on the breed that will bring excellent meat to the table. And there are quite a few unscrupulous sellers who sell “failed” ducks at a high price. You may lose funds.

In this article, you will learn about the 4 most profitable and delicious breeds of meat ducks according to experienced poultry breeders, their features. Based on this, you will be able to understand which breed is ideal for you.

Beijing

The breed of these unique ducks was bred by Peking breeders more than 3 centuries ago. Due to its rapid growth and tasty meat, the variety quickly spread throughout the world, and today it has become commonplace, both in the private backyard and in large poultry farms.

Adults can weigh up to 3.5 kg, and some drakes exceed 4 kg. The Peking duck has a massive body with a wide chest and back, but a gracefully curved neck is short.

The bird is not whimsical in keeping and easily adapts to any climate.

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Animal standards

The endurance and unpretentiousness of birds makes keeping at home quite simple. To prepare the room, you need to plaster, pierce, plywood and whitewash the walls of the house. Thus, in the cold season, the heat will remain, in the hot period the bird will not overheat.

The floor is lined with a thick layer of straw, sawdust and peat. The floor level must be raised 20 cm above the ground so that rodents cannot crawl into the barn.

Duck eggs during the incubation period should be carefully guarded, since these chickens are much more difficult to hatch than other poultry. During placement in the incubator, eggs are cooled according to a specific method. Cultivation takes place using three methods: open, closed and combined. The third method is the most effective.

Ducks have a friendly disposition and friendly attitude towards other birds and pets, but a small room can provoke conflicts within a flock. Each adult needs a space of 0.3 square meters. Ducks have a well-developed parental instinct, so there is a constant manifestation of care for the offspring.

In order for ducks to fully develop, they need constant feeding and sufficient fresh water. It is also recommended to provide birds with access to the reservoir.

Gray Ukrainian

Poultry, bred by Ukrainian breeders, has a massive and strong body, moreover, with developed muscles. The small head has a powerful beak,

Gray Ukrainian has an unusual and original color. The average weight of adult females is 3 kg, but drakes are much larger, and grow up to 3.5 kg. They also grow rapidly. Ducklings gain 2–2.4 kg by two months.

Low price and simplicity in keeping and feeding make this breed one of the most popular among European farmers.

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Meat breeds of ducks

Many novice poultry farmers prefer to dwell on these varieties. They produce almost as many eggs as egg breeds, but they can also be bred for meat. These birds are popular all over the world and are raised in a wide variety of conditions. Among them there are both thoroughbred representatives and various hybrids. As breeds of ducks for home breeding, meat poultry are ideal, because they are more convenient for keeping than egg ones, and in terms of meat quality they are not inferior to classic meat types.

With the correct content of duck layers, you can get a considerable amount of eggs. But egg production is not the only characteristic that farmers love these birds for. They have many other advantages, for example, unpretentiousness and resistance to diseases. Here, however, everything depends on the breed, because there are both new and old varieties. And new breeds are not always better than those that were bred before them.

Here is what experienced poultry farmers write about this:

“There are many excellent meat breeds available to suit a wide variety of conditions. And do not dwell on new, unknown crosses and hybrids. There are birds such as the Saxon duck, the mirror breed or the muskrat. The main characteristic of each of these varieties is versatility. They are suitable for many farmers, both beginners and those who already have some experience. "

Khaki Campbell ducks

In Russia and Ukraine, the birds of the Khaki Campbell species are quite rare guests, although for home breeding they can be very convenient and useful due to some advantages. They were bred in the 19th century in Great Britain, and their description has been compiled a long time ago.

This is a classic beef breed with an average rate of weight gain and excellent egg production. Among meat and beef ducks, Khaki has one of the best, if not the best, egg production. They can be safely bred instead of chickens to obtain eggs.

Khaki Campbell's ducks have only two drawbacks. First, they gain weight for a long time. Young animals are suitable for slaughter only at the age of 3.5-4 months. And even in the best conditions, their weight will not exceed 2.5 kg. And the largest drake cannot weigh more than 3.5 kg. There are no very large birds of the Khaki breed. The second drawback of this bird is that it has a need for large walking spaces, so it is worth breeding them where there is enough space for duck walks.

On the other hand, Khaki Campbell females produce at least 25 dozen eggs per season. And for the best representatives this figure is close to 400. But this is not only an egg breed, with which a good and large egg is obtained. These ducks also have tasty and tender meat, so bad layers are usually sent for slaughter.

Outwardly, this bird is easy to recognize by its description and photo. Farmers say it is a casually painted mallard. The bird is called Khaki for a reason: its multi-colored plumage resembles military camouflage.

Saxon breed of ducks

This breed is known not only for its productivity, but also for its beautiful appearance. She has colored plumage, which is easily recognizable from photographs and videos. At the same time, drakes and females have different plumage. If the ducklings do not differ in any way in appearance, then after the first molt all the differences become noticeable. Females are dominated by brown feathers of various shades, and there is also a small amount of white on the head and wings.

The drake has white feathers on the belly and lower part of the chest, a dark brown top of the chest and gray-blue shades of plumage on the head. The average weight of these birds ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 kg. Drakes are somewhat larger than ducks.

The Saxon breed is distinguished by a good egg production: on average, these birds bring 15-20 dozen eggs per year. Ducklings are distinguished by good vitality.In terms of early maturity, this bird is similar to some meat varieties, for which it is appreciated by farmers.

Black white-breasted

One of the most beautiful breeds in the world differs from its relatives in its characteristic black feathers with white breasts. The legs of a beautiful bird are also black. The beak is also dark in color.

They were bred on the basis of crossing the Ukrainian white-breasted with representatives of Chinese breeds. Representatives of this meat variety of poultry at the age of 6 months reach a weight of 3.5–4 kg.

Experts note the excellent taste of meat, high calorie content and low fat content. But the egg production is 140 eggs per year. But this breed of ducks can lay eggs for quite a long time. By the way, you can find out about the largest eggs in the world on our website.

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Meat breeds of ducks

It is these waterfowl that many farmers prefer to grow, because it is tasty and healthy meat products that are needed by those who raise ducks. Of course, one of the main suppliers of meat to farms is the goose. But ducks are also very good at this issue. It is also worth considering such features of their meat as low fat content and excellent dietary qualities. Meat varieties of ducks differ from each other. For comparison, it is worth giving a simple table, which indicates some of the features of a number of breeds:

It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the other differences between each of the available breeds, because they should be chosen based on how much this variety is suitable for breeding in a certain area. It is necessary to find out what food these ducks will need, what temperature regime they need, and other details. It is also worth clarifying whether the selected breed is available in this region and whether it will not be easier to buy another variety.

Here are some other birds you can choose and buy for home breeding:

• Mulardy ducks (incorrect name - Murlans).
• Belarusian cross Temp.
• Cross Medeo.
• Crested breed of ducks (easily recognizable bird with its famous crest).
• Moscow White variety.
• Ducks of breed Star 53.

Cherry Willy duck breed

This is one of those breeds that are recommended for breeding for novice poultry breeders. Cherry Willie (or Chilli Willie, as they are sometimes called) is sometimes referred to as a meat-and-meat breed. By constitution and early maturity, this is a classic representative of the meat production direction, but its egg production is uncharacteristically high. In particular, when young ducks begin to lay, they are capable of producing more than a hundred eggs by the end of the first year of life. At the same time, there is a division into 2 main lines of the breed: the paternal line and the maternal line.

Professional breeders claim that the mother line has the best performance. In these birds, egg production is at least 130 eggs per duck, and they gain mass at a higher rate. On average, young animals are capable of gaining weight of 2.5 kg and more in 50-60 days, which is why the birds can be allowed to slaughter early.

Unfortunately, Cherry Willy meat is not recommended for people with digestive problems. Poultry meat is tasty, but it is relatively tough and has a high fat content.

It is not difficult to recognize this bird.Cherry Willie has white, dense plumage, a long orange beak and a large, heavy body with developed muscles. The appearance of this breed is similar to the appearance of Peking ducks. It was from them that Cherry Willie was bred. In Russia, these birds appeared half a century ago, so they are very widespread. When buying ducklings or eggs for incubation, it is necessary to clarify which line the birds belong to. It should be borne in mind that this breed is often crossed with other ducks.

Moscow white duck

The white Moscow duck is considered one of the most widespread breeds in Russia. It is often found in neighboring states. These birds are unpretentious, grow quickly and have a good egg production. Every year, 12-13 dozen eggs can be obtained from each laying hen.

Due to its popularity, the Moscow duck is often used when crossing with ducks of other breeds, but crossbreeds are usually easy to distinguish from a purebred bird from a photo or video, you just need to know the main signs of the Moscow white variety.

The first thing that can be seen in the photo is that these birds have pink-red legs and a beak. White feathers and red paws with a beak are the classic portrait of this breed. If the color is colored (there are brown, gray or blue feathers), then this is a cross. The same conclusion can be made if the paws and beak are not red, but red. In terms of early maturity, this is a classic meat duck. Young growth gains slaughter weight in 8-9 weeks and by this time weighs 2-2.5 kg. Adult ducks are capable of gaining weight equal to 4-5 kg.

Black white-breasted ducks

The black white-breasted duck is native to Ukraine, and there are many other breeds among its ancestors. In particular, representatives of the Peking variety were used to obtain this bird. Among the advantages of black white-breasted ones, it is worth noting their good egg production and early maturity. They are also praised for the high quality of meat. A number of farmers even believe that the black white-breasted duck is the best among all breeds in terms of the quality of the product obtained, although it will not be easy to get a lean carcass from them.

An adult large drake can reach a mass equal to 5 kg. Ducks are somewhat smaller, and their weight rarely exceeds 3-3.5 kg. Juveniles reach slaughter weight at the age of 7-10 weeks. With early slaughter, the average bird weight is 1.5 kg. And if you slaughter the duck later, the weight will increase to 2.5-2.7 kg.

This black and white breed has only one problem: on average, 2/3 of the livestock survive to slaughter. 9 eggs out of 10 are fertilized, which is an excellent indicator.

The black white-breasted bird is easily recognizable due to its memorable appearance. The main color of the plumage is black with a white feather on the front of the neck and upper chest. The body is elongated, strong, with a broad chest that blends smoothly into the neck. The drake, in addition to its size, is distinguished by the presence of plumage, casting a blue or green sheen. The beak is slightly curved, gray or yellow. A combination of these colors is possible.

The breed is suitable for breeding in southern regions and crosses easily with other varieties.

Rouen duck

This bird was bred in France, but it did not receive wide distribution. This rare species was sourced directly from wild mallards, which were selected for their ability to gain weight quickly. Speaking about the merits of the French Rouen poultry, it is necessary to mention the excellent rate of mass gain and the excellent qualities of the meat. When properly maintained, the duck carcass is lean, soft and tender. The taste of the finished product sometimes resembles a wild bird, but without the unpleasant smell of marsh.

However, the Rouen ducks also have disadvantages.

The first is associated with a high rate of mass gain. These birds are prone to obesity, so they need to carefully consider their diet. The average body weight of the Rouen duck is 3-3.5 kg, and the drakes are not much larger than the females. Well-fed representatives can reach 5-6 kg of weight.The egg production of these birds is average, 80-90 pieces per season, but if the bird suffers from obesity, then it will not produce many eggs. At the same time, the ducks of the Rouen variety are not good hens and queens.

Another problem when breeding this bird is that young animals are vulnerable to diseases and demanding to care for. It is worth remembering that overweight drakes are poor producers, therefore, when keeping Rouen poultry, it is important to make the right diet. Physical activity and walks are also important for her, so it is worth keeping ducks in a spacious aviary. Outwardly, the French Rouen bird looks like large mallards living in the wild. Their color and body proportions are absolutely identical.

Gray Ukrainian duck

The gray Ukrainian duck is known in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. This is one of the large meat breeds, which are also characterized by good egg production. The sizes of these birds are slightly above average. On average, adult representatives reach a mass of 3.5-4 kg. Ducklings reach slaughter weight in 2 months, and after 4 months these same ducklings weigh the same as adult birds, so the question of which duck is the fastest ripening can be safely answered: gray Ukrainian.

The average egg production of ducks of this variety is about 120 eggs per year. But with the right content, this number rises to 20-25 dozen per year. Some egg breeds give similar indicators. Among the early maturing, it is the gray Ukrainian duck that is easiest to grow in the courtyard. It is unpretentious and best suited for those who cannot provide perfect care, and these birds are also bred in the northern regions, as they tolerate low temperatures very well.

A photo and description of this breed is not required in order to recognize it. The fact is that it was obtained from domestic birds crossed with wild mallards. And their appearance is similar to the classic mallard in color and constitution. The females have gray and brown feathers on the body, while the drake has a black and white body color and a green head. In general, this breed has many positive traits. Ducklings are tenacious and gain weight quickly, with adult ducks there are no problems with care, and their maintenance is very cheap.

Moscow whites

The Russian species has a rather large, slightly oblong head and a massive body. The back and breast are wide, and the rather large body is set horizontally relative to the ground.

Adults weigh an average of 3.8-4 kg, but egg production is 150 eggs per year. But they are bred mainly for meat.

Benefits include fast growth, as well as tasty and soft meat. These qualities make Moscow white ducks quite popular not only in Russia, but also in the world.

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Character differences

Ducks are easily distinguished by their behavior, but for this it is worth observing the flock for a long time.

Males walk at the end of the pack. They have a restless nature, they constantly fight for dominant positions with other drakes, try to get out of the fenced area, fly over the fence.

Females do not participate in fights, their wings are less often clipped, they lead a calm and quiet lifestyle. Poultry farmers indicate such behavior only when the ratio of individuals in the flock is correctly selected.

Be sure to read:

Common diseases of ducks: why do ducklings roll over onto their backs and jerk their paws?

If the balance of ducks and drakes in the population is disturbed, the birds behave differently. Females come into conflict with other ducks, and the male hides in a corner, fearing the attack of other individuals.

Swedish blue

Representatives of the Scandinavian variety of domestic birds have high productivity rates. The most popular ducks among German breeders.

Swedish ducks are distinguished by their docile nature, gullibility and quickly get used to a person.In addition, they have an original silver-gray color, and the body is small, but compact and powerful.

They weigh from 3.5 to 3.9 kg. Note that due to their unpretentious content, they can be bred even in northern latitudes, and in terms of early maturity they are leaders among their relatives.

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Medeo

The original hybrid with a romantic name was bred by breeders of Kazakhstan. Peking ducks became the basis, and as a result, highly productive individuals with high egg production were obtained.

The color turned out, like that of the daughter individual - white with an orange beak and reddish paws. The weight of the drake reaches 5 kg, and that of females up to 3.5, which brings the variety to a leading position.

It is noteworthy, but Medeo does not require grazing, they can be kept in small areas and even in cages, and their greatest number is kept in small farms.

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Khaki Campbell

Domestic ducks of this breed are found more and more often in farmsteads, although many have not even heard of such a name. The breed was named so because of the special noble color of feathers in khaki color - brownish or fawn with a greenish tint. Active and mobile birds have a neat head with a small beak, sitting on a short neck. Drakes have a darker feather color than females.

Khaki Campbell

Females reach a weight of 2.2 kg, and the maximum weight of a drake can be 3.5 kg. Khaki layers produce about 200 white eggs, each weighing about 80 grams.

Birds of this breed are not demanding on the diet, from them you can get meat products with excellent gastronomic characteristics, and novice farmers are also capable of breeding them.

Khaki ducks are a versatile meat-eating breed that will be an excellent choice for a novice farm owner.

Video - Khaki Campbell Ducks

Bashkir colored

On one of the Russian breeding farms, a unique beef breed was bred with several colors of plumage. You can meet dark green birds, and sometimes unusual and beautiful - white-breasted ones.

Like all meat breeds, "Bashkirs" have a massive, strong constitution with short legs and a curved neck. The weight of adult birds can reach 4 kg. And what is remarkably high in weight, they reach for 2-2.5 months.

Experts and restaurateurs highlight the good taste of low-fat meat.

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Breeding conditions for birds

Ducks are unpretentious birds, but appropriate conditions are required for their rearing. TSo, birds definitely need walking and a spacious poultry house. Ducks also need unhindered access to food and water.

Note that the breeding conditions for egg and meat breeds are different. So, for laying hens, it is important to monitor excess weight gain (it can cause a decrease in egg production) and the length of daylight hours. For meat ducks, on the contrary, it is important to gain weight. Consider the basic conditions for breeding ducks.

Temperature and lighting

Adult ducks can tolerate cold weather, but this does not apply to frost. Keep house temperatures below freezing. During laying, maintain the temperature regime within 18-20 degrees, which will productively affect the activity of individuals.

When keeping small, newly hatched ducklings, the temperature should be in the range of 29-32 degrees. With each week, they should decrease to 20 degrees required for adults.

Ducklings should have constant access to clean water.

The need to increase the temperature can be determined by the behavior of the ducks. If individuals begin to huddle together, eat less food, lose weight, then the ducks are freezing. In this case, it is necessary to insulate the house. A very high temperature for birds can be determined by rapid breathing and spreading wings, as well as frequent drinking.

Improve the ventilation system to avoid overheating the bird.

As for natural light, it shouldn't be strong. For better egg production, it is important to make an artificial house in the house. With its help, you will make winter daylight hours longer, last up to 12 hours. The lights should be turned on from the beginning of winter to stimulate feather loss and improve weight gain.

Conditions of detention in winter

Humidity is problematic for ducks, even though they are aquatic birds. It is better not to exceed this figure above 65-70%. Too high an indicator will affect the deterioration of weight gain, from which the bird may drop feathers. There is also a decrease in immunity. It is also not recommended to allow sudden changes in humidity, ducks are very sensitive to such changes.

It is important to equip the house in such a way that during late autumn and early spring there is always fresh air in the house, and dirty air goes outside.

In winter, take care of artificial ventilation with a stream of warm air. In hot weather, birds are usually walking, so there will be plenty of fresh air during this period.

Cherry Valley

An amazing cross was bred in England. Scientists managed to obtain unique characteristics. On the maternal side, Cherry Valley are distinguished by high egg production, but drakes have a quick weight gain, massive body and tasty meat.

In just 7 weeks, ducklings gain 3–3.5 kg, but by the period of maturity, a drake can weigh up to 5 kg.

The variety does not differ in originality of color. Individuals with white plumage have an orange beak and legs.

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External differences between drakes and ducks

It is important to be able to distinguish a drake from a duck, this will help to choose the right number of livestock in the general flock. There are 5-6 females per male. The correct ratio will help to achieve a higher egg production.

The structure of the larynx. In boys, unlike girls, it is wider and shifted to the left.

A drake from a female is easy to identify by external signs:

• Feather color. Males are distinguished by bright plumage. The head and tail of some species are green. In females, the body and head are colored in the same tone.
• Body size. Grown young growth is easy to distinguish from each other. Males are larger in size, the mass is much larger.
• Head size and forehead shape. The female has a smaller head, without a growth on the forehead.
• The presence of a tuft. Only a drake can see a crest on his neck.
• Beak size. The female has a smaller beak.

Indian runners

Consider in our review a large but egg-bearing Indian runner. Among its congeners, this bird is distinguished by the original position of the body, these birds raise their body high and stretch their long neck straight.

In addition, it is one of the oldest breeds on the planet. Egg production is up to 250 eggs per year, but the weight of adults reaches 3–3.5 kg.

In Russia, these birds have been known under the name "penguin" since the middle of the 19th century, and today they can often be found in the farmsteads of Russian farmers.

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Criteria for choosing ducks for meat

When thinking about which birds to start, remember that the success of short-term (60-day) fattening of a meat duckling directly depends on how high-quality the chosen bird turned out to be.

In order not to miscalculate in this regard, pay attention to the following characteristics of pets:

• unpretentiousness to the conditions that the owner provides them, and the temperature regime;
• vitality and activity;
• general physical health and lack of deformities (crooked paws and beaks, broken wings);
• muscle building rate;
• fat content and nutritional value of the resulting meat;
• the amount of food eaten;
• state of immunity (resistance to disease);
• age of onset of sexual maturity;
• hatchability.

In addition, in already adult hens, fertility, the severity of the maternal instinct and the safety of the herd raised for meat should be assessed.

Musky

Due to the specific smell of feathers and skin, these birds received this name. This unusual breed was bred in South America, but due to its high adaptability to various conditions, it quickly spread to the USA, Canada, European and Asian countries.

Interestingly, despite domestication, these ducks are still considered wild. It would seem that it is a waterfowl, but Muscovites do not like to swim, but take off and sit on the branches of low trees. By the way, we have interesting material about flightless birds of our planet.

Farmers who breed these birds highlight high productivity, tasty meat and easy feeding. In addition, it is a fairly large breed. Drakes grow up to 4.5 kg.

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Sex determination in chicks

A male bird among the grown chicks can be identified even by a photo - and the child will cope with this. The cub of the drake is the owner of variegated plumage, while the feather of the female is gray and inconspicuous. But young growth begins to look like this at about 2 months. How to distinguish a drake from a duck when they are still just chicks?

The drake chick is more active. Anyone who lives in the village knows that if you raise the cub by the legs and leave it for some time in the upside down position, the female will be calm, and the male baby will turn his head and try to pull himself up to his feet. Of course, it is impossible to know for sure which sex the bird is, but there is still a certain probability.

The method that allows you to determine the sex of even a two-week-old cub with the greatest accuracy is the so-called "Japanese method". It consists in taking the duckling with the left hand so that the chick is turned with its head towards the person holding it, and then gently massage the cub's anal passage. To do this, you need to slightly pull up the edge of the cloaca. If a small pseudopenis appears, a male cub is in front of you. In the female, a membrane-covered opening of the oviduct is found, located on the left side of the cloaca. On palpation - small rounded seals. In the same way, sex is determined in geese.

Pseudopenis is a distinctive feature of drakes, since most males of other poultry species, such as, for example, a rooster and a turkey, do not have it. This organ looks like a small fold up to 4 mm in size. Sometimes in a cub it can be found simply by pulling the tail towards the back. This and the Japanese methods give almost infallible results if you act carefully and correctly.

Mulard

Simply the enormous productivity of this variety has led to the breeding of Mulard on an industrial scale. But even in private farmsteads you can often meet these birds.

In two months, the Mulards gain weight up to 3–3.5 kg. This interspecific hybrid cannot live in the wild, as it is adapted only for artificial feeding.

The popularity of the breed is evidenced by the fact that there are approximately 35 million females in France, whose meat is used to make foie gras. The bird is also common in the USA, England and some countries of Southeast Asia.

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What types of ducks can you breed in your household?

The duck family is divided into two large groups: domesticated and wild. The former live only next to humans, the latter mainly live in the wild, but if desired, they can be kept in the farmstead. In turn, domestic species should be divided into 4 main classes:

• meat - large, rapidly growing breeds with a solid body weight;
• egg-producing - give more than a hundred eggs annually;
• universal - I demonstrate high achievements in both indicators;
• decorative - they are distinguished by a bright appearance, and are grown to revitalize artificial reservoirs.

In each category there are a number of the most sought-after species that farmers breed the most.

Table 1. Domestic species of ducks

Wild ducks include:

1. Mallard duck.
2. Red-headed dives.
3. Ordinary gogols.
4. Killer whales (ducks).
5. White-cheeked pintail.

Variety of species

How to choose the right option

Table 2. How to choose a breed?

Video - Breeds of ducks

Rouen

By the name, you can understand that this large individual was bred in France. The peasants of Normandy once taught wild ducks, and painstaking selection work led to the emergence of crosses that reach a weight of 3.8 kg in a few months.

This is a rather rare breed. Due to its low productivity and unpresentable type of meat, it is kept mainly for decorative purposes and to participate in all kinds of exhibitions.

The unpopularity of French ducks among domestic farms is also due to the complexity of caring for young animals. But still, tasty and juicy meat is considered a delicacy and is quite expensive.

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Hunting object

On the territory of Russia and the CIS, there are various types of ducks (about forty). About thirty species are widespread and are the subject of commercial and sport hunting.

A bird of the duck family is prey for hunters not only because of meat. The common eider, for example, is prized for its down. Sheep and gogol eggs are harvested in some regions, and the bright mandarin duck is bred for decorative purposes.

How to properly aim at a sitting duck?

When hunting ducks, you need to take into account that if a duck sits or swims on the water, then it is less vulnerable to a shot than a flying duck, while the distance can be the same. This is explained by the fact that the feather of a sedentary duck fits tightly, and if we take into account that, in addition to feathers, a duck also has down, then everything together forms a very solid shell. In addition, a seated or floating duck is less of a target than a flying duck. Whenever possible, when hunting duck over long distances, do not shoot sitting ducks. Spring and late autumn is a time when ducks are well-feathered, so they are stronger for shot at this time. In the summertime, ducks are most vulnerable.

How to correctly aim at a flying duck?

Surely, every hunter knows that in order to hunt a flying duck, you need to aim and shoot not at the bird's carcass, but a little ahead of it. This can be explained simply. After all, some time will pass between pressing the trigger of the gun and the moment when the shot shot reaches the target, in our case, to the flying bird. And a bird that has come under the sight will have time to fly a certain distance during this time. Therefore, when hunting a duck, you need to aim and shoot in front of the target.But at what distance to shoot in front of the target depends on how fast the target moves, what is the distance between the muzzle of the gun and the target. The greater the distance and speed of the target, the greater the distance you need to take in front of the target and then you can hit the target directly.

So duck hunting is also math. If you shoot at flying birds with ordinary shooting, as a result of a decent killing circle of a hunting rifle, then it is advised to aim at the duck in its front part, then it will not escape the charge. Experienced hunters who have the knack and skill of hunting for duck are able to weigh in any conditions, at any moment almost instantly, at what speed the duck flies, what is the distance between the muzzle of the gun and the duck. All this allows them to consciously and confidently choose the right "front" and shoot.

Autumn duck hunting

Duck hunting starts on the second or third Saturday in August, depending on the region. By this time, almost all young ducks have already climbed the wing. Duck broods continue to keep in thickets of horsetail, reed and other supports. Therefore, in the first days of opening, duck hunting is carried out from the approach or entrance to them by boat to departure. As soon as the ducks begin to make massive flights for feeding during the evening dawn, the duck hunting begins on the flights.

In late September - early October, ducks gather in flocks and fly south. From the beginning of the flight, ducks are hunted from huts with stuffed animals, profiles and decoy ducks.

Duck hunting from approach to departure

How does a duck hunt go from approach? Walking ford hunting for duck is usually carried out on small, shallow water bodies with marsh vegetation, along rivers overgrown with horsetails, grasses and bushes, rivers, in abandoned, overgrown with grass pits.

With such a hunt for a duck, a trained dog can be of great benefit: it will find a hidden duck, drive it out of the supports into clean water or force it to climb its wing, catch a wounded animal and bring a killed bird to the hunter. The best dogs for hunting duck are wire-haired cops and spaniels. It is also advisable to have a boat on which the hunter can move through the water.

Video

Blue favorite

The state breeding program at the Blagovarsky plant has led to the emergence of an amazing breed that is unpretentious in content. Favorite is characterized by a unique gray color with an unusual blue tint.

Specialists-breeders and breeders note a high survival rate, both in adults and in ducklings.

Favorites gain 3-4 kg in two months of feeding, and some drakes weigh 5 or more kilograms. Perhaps this is the largest duck in the world among meat breeds.

Diet

How to feed little ducklings

As soon as the ducklings hatch into the light, it is recommended to feed them with cottage cheese, chopped boiled eggs and yogurt. Chopped clover, alfalfa, crushed shells, shells and boiled potatoes can be added to the feed.

The diet of birds in winter and summer is different. In summer, they can be given more fiber, and in winter, on the contrary, protein.

Adults for meat

An adult should eat grains that are high in carbohydrates that promote growth and weight gain.

It is easier to digest corn kernels, which are the most nutritious diet for duck and can make up half of the daily diet.

Wheat grains, which contain slightly less protein than corn, are in second place in popularity. A third of the milled barley is added to the grains for the ration intended for young animals, since its digestion is somewhat worse. Legumes and oats play an important role in the diet of ducks, as they provide essential proteins and proteins.