How to earn money with duck farming business in India: In maximum portions of the world, duck stands next to the chicken in terms of meat and egg production. Commercial duck farming is growing as this business has well prospective to gain money especially in egg production. Ducks are hardy birds rather than chickens which can easily adapt to extreme climatic conditions. One can ponder to start a commercial duck farming business as ducks can feed on agro-industrial wastes, marshy areas, and swamps. There is certainly difference between duck farming and poultry particularly in habitats and habits of duck farming in population and shelter. Ducks can be raised for eggs and meat. These hardy birds can also persist in areas where no additional agricultural crops could be developed and other livestock raised. Duck farming business is very profitable and cost-effective business as there are numerous duck breeds available around the world. As a commercial farmers, you should know how to earn money with duck farming business.
A guide to earn money with Duck farming business
For commercial duck egg production and breeding, you must have provision of water source for raising ducks. Ducks can live without water, however, they need it to fertile egg laying and for mating. You must construct a pond with water for commercial duck farming. In upcoming segment, we shall explain more about how to nurture ducklings and breed management of duck rearing systems and commercial duck farming.
Benefits of Duck farming
Why should we opt for duck farming? Well, there are many benefits of starting a duck farm. Ducks can be raised both on a small scale or commercial scale for production of meat and eggs. Ducks are convenient to raise with other animals in your backyard. It is really amusing to raise ducklings at home. The following are few benefits of duck raising.
Steps involved in starting a Duck farming business
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Housing for Ducks
There is no need for an expensive shelter and these birds can be raised even in huts prepared with locally available materials. Basically, duck house can be constructed with low-cost materials.
Care and management to earn money with Duck farming
As said before these are hardy animals and they can be nurtured in any extreme conditions. Women and old people can also operate the duck farm without any issues. Daily management and care are less as compared to all other poultry birds.
Proper management during egg collection
You can imagine the birds laying eggs during early morning and night times, in rare cases during daytime. Special attention is not needed for egg collection.
Space required constructing a Duck house
Ducks need small space and their brooding time (sitting on eggs for hatching) is low, thus they occupy less space. Ducklings develop at speedily as compared to other birds.
Diseases resistance
Ducks are hardy and resistant to diseases so they have very less infections as compared to other birds.
Feed availability
One must purchase expensive feed as ducks can feed on any edibles. They happily eat bugs, fungi, snails, kitchen waste like rice, vegetables,etc. Nutritious feed like legumes, corn, and other grains will enhance the egg size and its production rate. They can feed on land as well as in water. In India, ducks are fed in paddy fields so that after the harvest they can feed on paddy grains. It leads in excellent egg production.
Controlling bugs by Ducks
Ducks are charming birds to clear any snails and insects. You can permit them for couple of hours into your garden or insects for feed.
Mortality percentage of Ducks
The major benefit of duck farming is that they can lay eggs for a long period and it is well known that ducks have less mortality rate.
Demand for Duck meat and eggs
There is a high demand for duck eggs particularly in rural regions. People also prefer duck meat after chicken meat. With a perfect duck farming business plan, a commercial duck farming business is a profitable trade in present days.
Local employment creation with Duck farming
If you are planning for commercial duck farming business, you must have some permanent worker and seasonal labor. It does not need any skilled labor, however, it aids in improving the incomes of poor.
Duck farming/Raising systems
Ducklings
Backyard system of duck rising: Under this category of rearing system, inexpensive bamboo baskets are utilized and after collection of eggs the ducks, the birds are permitted to feed on an open field and play around any water source.
An extensive system of duck rising: In this category of raising, duck eggs are collected in the morning. The ducks are permitted for outdoor feedings like in paddy fields or any wild waters.
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An intensive setup of duck rising: In this category of raising, ducks are fed on standard rations during daytime and given the provision of water source. It is well-known as stall-fed raising system of ducks.
Note the below steps for raising ducks-
- Age of ducks during first laying period should be 4 months;
- Egg production per year per one duck is 300 to 320;
- Body weight of ducks at 40 weeks is 1.5 to 2 Kg;
- Feed consumption of ducks/day ranges from 150 to 160 grams;
- Mortality percentage of ducklings (0 to 2 months) is 2.5%;
- Mortality of adult ducks (5 months to one and half year) is 5 to 6%.
Duck breeds for commercial Duck farming
Someof the duck breeds are appropriate for meat production and some are suitable for egg production. However, duck breeds with dual purpose are also raised. Choose the proper duck breed based on your business objective.
Duck breeds for egg production
The following are the breeds which can be utilized for breeding particularly for Egg production- Indian runner ducks, Khaki Campbell ducks, White and Grayish Indian runner ducks. The Duck breeds for meat production are Aylesbury ducks, Maskovi ducks, Sweden ducks, Peking ducks and RuelKagua ducks.
Duck breeds that are used for dual purpose that is for eggs and meat are Khaki Campbell ducks.
Feed management of Ducks
In commercial egg production of duck farming, feeding is the major operation of getting better fertile eggs. You can deliver nutritious feed according to duck breeds in your farm. Duck needs high amounts of food than other poultry birds. The duration of the egg production and number of egg production depends on the input feed. They usually feed on any edibles, but, for commercial egg production it is preferred to provide minerals/salts along with regular diet. Legume grain feed is perfect choice. The quantity of feed supply depends on bird age, breed, and purpose (egg layers or meat producers).
Controlling measures of duck diseases
Some of the common Duck diseases that are seen are -Avian Cholera, Aspergillosis, Colibacillosis, Duck Virus hepatitis, Botulism, Duck Plague, Castor bean poisoning, Riemerella anti pestiferous Infection, Rapeseed meal. One should be careful and provide medication. It is also important to see the presence of poisonous bean plants, any other food in feeding areas as it is dangerous since castor beans are poisonous to ducks. It is recommended to refer the veterinary physician for control and measures to prevent infections.
Requirements to construct a duck house
Ducks require safe and secured housing whether it is extensive or intensive raising system. Construct the shed with a less expensive and easy available material. It is crucial thing to have cross-ventilation of the house with the provision of fresh air flow.
Each duck needs 2 to 3 square feet of floor area. The house can be constructed in high, low, dry and wet areas. Ducks are interested in wet and watery areas. Make sure you keep entry and exit points of the house. The duck house must be securely fenced to stop any external predators like wild dogs, foxes. Housing floor can be constructed with cement floor along with deep littering (paddy husk is good).Make sure there is littering of 5 to 6 inches depth since duck can lay the eggs on the floor.
Costs involved in duck farming business
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Costs involved in constructing a Duck house- Rs. 50,000
Costs involved in breeding – Rs. 20,000
Labor charges – Rs. 15,000
Adequate water supply- Rs. 10,000
Power charges – Rs. 10,000
Other Charges – Rs. 25.000
Medicines costs – Rs. 30,000
Total costs involved to start a Duck farming business- Rs.1,60,000 in small scale.
Tips for duck farming management
It is recommended to use of wire mesh floor during brooding period to prevent from wetness. You should always ensure enough clean water is present in the house. Otherwise ducks may be suffered with pneumonia. Don’t allow newborn ducklings into the water pond at least for 15 days of their birth. You can provide shallow vessels of water in the house. Always keep water vessels on wire plant to avoid wet litter on the floor. As ducks are more sensitive to aflotoxin, eliminate GNC from the feed content.
The feed efficiency in duck farming is the best up to 1 month. Subsequently it starts declining. You can carry the culling from time to time. You should provide enough space for your ducks in the house, avoid overcrowding. Avoid Fungal or mould growth by feeding mesh in smaller amounts 2 to 3 times. When you are ready to market duck eggs, they should be cleaned with soft cloth and stored in egg trays before sending to the market. If you are using any boxes or baskets, place straw at the bottom for cushioning.
Conclusion of Duck farming to earn money
Commercial duck farming is profitable if you have a proper knowledge and dedication, marketing ideas along with business plan. You may be interested in Dairy Farming Business Plan.