Many farmers prefer home breeding ducks for personal consumption and their further marketing. For this, it is important to know the breeds of ducks: their productive qualities and growing characteristics. The article considers the best breeds suitable for breeding on a personal compound.
Ukrainian gray
Meat bird, which is considered one of the best breeds of this orientation. The breed was bred by Ukrainian breeders.
Description. Birds have a wide muscular body, a powerful physique and a fragile skeleton. Bill is dark, slightly concave. Animals have a dense plumage, similar in color to that of wild counterparts. Usually there are specimens with clay or white plumage.
Productivity. Little ducklings grow and develop well and gain weight quickly. Already in 2 months the weight of birds reaches 3.5-4 kg. For a year, one layer brings up to 120 large eggs weighing 85-90 g.
Content. Ducks of this breed are able to fully develop on grazing alone and independently caught duckweed. It is permissible to keep the breed in unheated houses. The main thing is to provide a thickened litter and protect the house from drafts.
Merits. Good productive performance, increased resistance to low temperatures and bird diseases. Early maturity, intensive growth, and a high survival rate of chicks are also distinguished.
Disadvantages. Feathered unscrupulous, also behave noisily.
Russian crested
The main feature is the crest on the head. Some people notice that the larger it is, the less productivity indicators.
Description. Russian crested duck has a medium torso and strong build. The muscles are well developed. The back is broad, slightly convex, the chest is round. There are no folds on the lush belly. There are specimens with a pure white color, there are also multi-colored birds: they have thick feathers that fit tightly to the body. The wings of ducks are long, the head is elongated-rounded. Brown eyes and concave beak.
Productivity. The weight of ducks reaches a little more than 2 kg, drakes weigh about 3 kg. They have tender, juicy and tasty meat. For a year, one layer gives about 55 white or greenish eggs weighing up to 70-80 g.
Content. Ducks are unpretentious in nutrition, calmly relate to ponds. They are not recommended to overfeed, as birds tend to be obese. The room where the birds are kept should be clean and dry, because otherwise the animals may suffer from diseases.
Merits. Birds are unpretentious in the content and nutrition. Characterized by high productivity and rapid growth.
Disadvantages. Small weight of Russian ducks.
Bashkir
Breed of meat and egg orientation. Farmers of private farmsteads and industrial enterprises especially fell in love with these birds, due to the fact that they feed on almost any food, are able to satisfy their needs on their own, walking in a meadow or in a pond.
Description. The ducks have a bulging chest, a strong and muscular physique. Large, widely spaced legs on short orange legs. The head is flattened on the upper side, located on a short, concave neck, curved outward. Concave orange beak with a wide growth that allows birds to grab grass. The wings fit snugly to the body. Plumage of a black-gray shade.
Productivity. Adult drakes weigh more than 4 kg, and ducks reach 3.7 kg. Fat in the carcass is practically absent. The meat yield is at least 70%. One layer per year gives from 115 to 125 eggs weighing 70-80 g.
Content. The bird is unpretentious in care, therefore it will feel good in special cages and pens. In the duck room, it is imperative to maintain the average temperature in the winter, and to establish the optimal mode in the summer - it should not be hot.
Merits. A high survival rate of ducklings is about 80%. Also, birds have increased resistance to infectious diseases, grow and develop quickly.
Disadvantages. Birds need constant drinking of clean water and changing litter, otherwise the animals may be exposed to diseases.
Beijing
From the name it becomes clear that the origin of the breed is Chinese. In Europe, the bird appeared in the 19th century and immediately became valuable to many owners of private farms. No less popular is the Beijing breed in Russia.
Description. Animals have special external characteristics. Peking women have a strong physique, wide chest and large back. On a large head is a convex forehead and a bright orange beak. The head is located on a small, short neck. Wings on a large scale, well developed. The birds have a dense plumage of white color. Occasionally there are specimens with cream feathers.
Productivity. An adult duck weighs about 3 kg, a drake reaches a weight of up to 4 kg, sometimes more. Young growth quickly gaining weight and already at 2 months the drakes weigh 2.9 kg. During the year, laying hens lay more than 110 eggs weighing about 90 g.
Content. In winter, ducks need to provide a special room so that there are no drafts in it. It is equally important to adhere to the optimum temperature and lighting. When cold weather sets in, the caddy must be at least +10 degrees, in the summer - no more than +25 degrees.
Merits. Early maturity, undemanding to feed, resistance to heat and cold. In addition, there is no need to keep the bird near the pond.
Disadvantages. In birds, maternal instinct is poorly developed, ducks are excessively sensitive to excessive moisture.
Musky (indochka)
A musky duck native to South America, where the ancient Indians grew this bird for hundreds of years. In the countries of the former Soviet Union, the indochka appeared in the 80s of the last century. The name of the breed was allegedly due to the specific aroma of meat, but contemporaries do not feel anything like that.
Description. The appearance of the bird is remarkable. There are bright growths in the upper part of the head; it has a narrow beak curled down. On the top of the head are elongated raised feathers, when the bird is frightened or surprised, they puff even more. Musk ducks have blue, gray, or brown eyes. The neck is strong, not long. The chest is well developed. The back is long and wide. The body is set almost horizontally. Squatting gives short legs. Birds have brown, white, blue color. There are instances with brown-white, black and white with a picture color.
Productivity. Adult males weigh 5-6 kg, ducks 2-3 kg. At 2 months, the weight of the young reaches 3.8 kg in the drake and 2.2 in females. For a year, laying hens give 90-100 eggs weighing up to 75 g. Egg products are valuable and useful.
Content. Birds prefer dry and clean rooms. The house should be spacious and bright. Animals are finicky for cleanliness and for the reason that it affects the period of laying. In the room adhere to a temperature of 18-20 degrees of heat.
Merits. Unpretentiousness in nutrition, developed maternal instinct, endurance, ability to live outside the reservoir for a long time.
Disadvantages. Long-term development, dislike of birds for cramped conditions and "damp" conditions - they contribute to the development of diseases.
You can find out exactly how the musk breed of ducks looks and how to keep them, in the video below:
Blagovarskaya
Most poultry farmers prefer to breed birds not only for egg and meat products, but also for decorating the farmstead. Blagovarsky ducks are just such birds, valued for tasty meat and external characteristics.
Description. Birds are large, horizontal, elongated body. On a flexible, elongated, short neck is a large head. Strong physique - outwardly, the bird resembles a broiler. A voluminous elongated body with a rounded, developed chest is especially distinguished by a bird. The beak is deep orange. Legs are short, widely spaced, with orange or pink legs. The birds have snow-white plumage.
Productivity. The weight of adult drakes reaches 4.4-5 kg, ducks - up to 3 kg. For a year, a laying hen gives about 200-250 large eggs weighing 90-95 g. The white shell. Fertilization of eggs reaches 98%.
Content. In winter, a bird house is required for an overnight stay. The room includes a heating and ventilation system, lighting, nests and feeders, drinking bowls, windows.
Merits. Fast growth and weight gain. The birds have good meat performance, high productivity. The breed has increased resistance to various diseases.
Disadvantages. In order for the birds to be healthy, grow quickly and gain weight, they need to provide not only good content, but also a balanced diet, which can be costly.
Agidel
When working with these ducks, breeders tried to improve not only egg and meat productivity indicators, but also increase the resistance of animals to diseases and infections. They managed to achieve this.
Description. Ducks are characterized by a deep, protruding chest, a long and wide back, a well-set and almost horizontal body. The animals have a long and large head with dark, high-set eyes and a wide beak of a pink and white hue. The neck is slightly thickened, relatively long. The body holds tightly on short legs of a light orange hue. The plumage is white.
Productivity. The breed is valued for its high productive qualities. At the age of 2 months, birds weigh 3 kg. During this period, if the bird is not kept for breeding or keeping on eggs, it is sent for slaughter. Duck in one season gives up to 250 large eggs weighing up to 100 g.
Content. Animals do not need capital houses because they can easily tolerate temperature changes. The only thing that is important to prevent is drafts. Indoors must be present dishes with water so that birds can moisten feathers.
Merits. Agidel ducks quickly gain weight, produce many eggs per year, and are highly resistant to disease. The palatability of meat is especially appreciated by farmers.
Disadvantages. Getting a brood from an incubator due to poorly developed maternal instinct, fat content of meat.
Blue favorite
The breed, bred not so long ago - about 20 years ago. When crossing used Peking duck. At the plant in Bashkiria, breeders for a long time selected and crossed ducks to get the final positive result. The second name of the bird is Pharaoh.
Description. Blue ducks are considered large birds. At 6 months, the bird is not inferior in size to geese of the same age. Pharaoh has a dense, heavy physique, a prominent chest and a long body with a low landing. The neck is strong, medium length. A wide, large beak of a gray shade and large dark eyes. The body rests on strong, short legs of yellow or gray color. The wings are small, fit snugly to the body. There are specimens with blue, red, gray, white, black and combined plumage.
Productivity. With a balanced diet, at two months of age, birds weigh about 3 kg. The average weight of drakes is up to 5 kg, sometimes 7-8 kg. Females weigh less - about 4 kg. For a year, one layer gives from 100 to 150 large eggs weighing 80-85 g.
Content. Blue favorite - breed, unpretentious in care. It is not necessary to equip a special duckling, a regular corral will be enough for the bird. The animal adapts well to climatic conditions.
Merits. Pharaoh has many advantages that make the breed popular for breeding:
- birds have a beautiful appearance;
- animals quickly gain weight;
- from birds they get tasty lean meat.
Disadvantages. In birds, maternal instinct is poorly developed. For this reason, ducklings are bred only with the help of an incubator or hens of other breeds.
Mulard
Breeders have created a hybrid in order to improve the quality of parent breeds to obtain a new and improved specimen. For breeding, they use an indochka and a domestic duck of the Beijing white, Rouen, etc. breeds.
Description. The birds have a special appearance, due to which it is difficult to confuse them with other ducks. The sizes are large, the body is dense and elongated. On a strong, long neck is an oval, small head. The body rests on strong legs with short yellow-orange legs. The eyes are dark, a flat light yellow beak, slightly elongated. Feathers fit tightly to the body. The color of the pen is mostly white. The birds are calm, not noisy and clean.
Productivity. The hybrid has high productive qualities. In the first 2-3 months, ducks weigh 3.5-4 kg, at four months of age, body weight reaches about 6 kg. Low-fat duck meat is especially appreciated in cooking and is considered a delicacy.
Content. Ducks can be kept in an insulated barn, where they will spend the night. Also, birds need to provide a range. The temperature in the house should not be lower than +16 and not higher than +25 degrees.
Merits. Calm disposition, precocity, cleanliness, high meat indices, unpretentiousness in leaving.
Disadvantages. Mulards are not found in the wild, are not able to reproduce on their own. Birds are raised exclusively at home.
Cherry valley
The breed comes from England. The desire of British breeders was to breed, having the maximum productivity of meat without loss of egg production. Peking ducks took part in breeding. Selection was carried out simultaneously on the paternal and maternal lines, which in both cases gave good results.
Description. Outwardly, the birds are similar to their ancestors. At birth, the chicks receive a yellow plumage, brightening over time, becoming snow-white. The body is directed vertically, elongated. The birds have a wide chest, pronounced musculature, feathers closely fitting to the body. The body stands on low, strong legs of a red-orange hue. A small head with a convex forehead is located on a thick neck. Beak curved, yellow-orange. The eyes are blue or dark blue.
Productivity. The weight of a duck reaches from 3.4 to 3.7 kg. The drake weighs about 3.5 to 4 kg. For a year, a laying hen gives 120-150 large eggs weighing 70-90 g. The hatchability of young animals is about 95%.
Content. With the content of the breed practically no difficulties arise. To make animals feel comfortable, they need to equip a warm room, install feeders and drinking bowls.
Merits. The advantages of the breed include rapid growth, attractive appearance, high productivity, unpretentiousness in food.
Disadvantages. Cherry Valley birds have almost no cons. The only difficulty a breeder may face is the need for access to water and walking.
Indian runner
Previously, this breed was called a penguin. This name is derived from the unusual shape of this species of duck. At the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was considered rare in Europe, birds were exotic - ducks were paraded in zoos.
Description. Externally, the Indian runner is different from other breeds of ducks: it has a unique body shape, resembling an elongated bottle. The feathered animal has a slender and high with a vertical orientation body, rounded chest. Feathers are smooth, tight-fitting to the body. The color of the plumage is different.
Productivity. The weight of adult runners can reach one and a half to two kilos. Females have fewer drakes. Already in the first month of good fattening, ducklings catch adult birds in weight and size. Egg indicators are much better - for a year, a laying hen gives 200-250 large eggs, sometimes the number reaches 300-350 pieces.
Content. If ducks have the opportunity to graze in a pasture near the reservoir, the cost of maintenance will be minimal. Indian runners can find their own food all day long.
Merits. Animals run fast, active. They have increased resistance to disease. Are growing fast. Not afraid of snow and frost.
Disadvantages. Ducks are shy, they can panic at the slightest noise. It is not advisable to breed birds for meat.
Star 53
Star-53 is a cross from a Peking duck. Cross was created by a French breeder at Grimaud freres selection.
Description. Outwardly, the bird is similar to its ancestor. She has snow-white plumage. Large dimensions. Bright yellow beak and paws. Massive back, elongated torso, powerful and wide chest, bulging forward. A round head rests on a thick, muscular neck. The tail is strong, the wings are long.
Productivity. By the age of two months, the bird weighs about 4 kg. The percentage of meat in the carcass is more than 60%. For a year, a laying hen gives up to 300 large eggs weighing about 90 g or more.
Content. Birds must not be kept in cramped quarters. If the birds are not spacious, they will behave uneasily, fussy and noisy. In the house, it is important to adhere to the optimum temperature regime - it should not be hot and not cold.
Merits. Already at 2 months receive large meat carcasses with minimal fat content. Birds are also valued not only for their appearance, but also for their high egg production, low maintenance and upkeep.
Disadvantages.You can’t constantly keep indoors, it’s problematic to get really high-quality young animals, the high cost of hatching eggs, and the high cost of feed.
Moscow whites
Moscow white duck was obtained by crossing the Peking duck and the Cambell drake. The breeding was carried out by Russian breeders who managed to get a bird with high productive indicators.
Description. The birds have a rather large, slightly oblong head and a massive, strong body. Broad chest and back. The body is placed horizontally relative to the ground. Beak pink or red. Short legs and paws are orange.
Productivity. The weight of adults reaches an average of 3.8-4 kg. For a year, one female brings about 150 large eggs weighing 85-90 g. But more often the breed is bred for meat.
Content. An important characteristic of the breed is the ability to quickly adapt to various weather conditions. Feathered unpretentious in content and have strong immunity. In winter, it is permissible to keep them in a non-heated, but insulated house.
Merits.Fast growth, tasty and soft meat.
Disadvantages. It requires good nutrition, but this allows the bird to gain weight faster.
Rouen ducks
Previously, ducks of this breed were wild birds. Farmers appreciate it for the good taste of meat and the minimum fat content in it.
Description. The ducks have a heavy physique with horizontal setting, a deep chest, an oval back and a tail with curls. The body rests on short limbs. Large beak with a greenish tint. The head is small, located on the neck with a strong bend.
Productivity. On average, an adult duck weighs 3.8 kg, and a drake weighs about 4 kg. One female gives only 90 eggs per year.
Content. Caring for birds is simple and practically no different from keeping other birds. Ducks need to be provided with artificial reservoirs in the absence of natural ones. To do this, use large containers or troughs.
Merits. The breed is often bred to decorate the compound or to take part in exhibitions. But those who breed poultry for meat can safely say that the product is juicy, aromatic and very tasty.
Disadvantages. Tendency to obesity and poorly developed maternal instinct.
Swedish blue
Breed of meat orientation, bred in Sweden. Today, Swedish blue ducks are popular in Germany and Russia.
Description. Birds have a large, dense physique. They have a non-convex chest, a wide and straight back, a short and straight tail. The feathered head has an oval shape, the beak is flattened. The main definition of breed is the blue hue of plumage.
Productivity. Adult individuals reach an average of 3-3.6 kg, drakes - about 4 kg. For a year, a laying hen gives from 100 to 150 small, oval eggs with a blue or greenish hue of the shell.
Content. Birds are not picky about keeping. In the warm period, they are equipped with a fenced area, the area of which should be spacious. This place is often equipped with artificial pools and planted with various vegetation.
Merits. Unpretentiousness in care and nutrition, resistance to diseases.
Disadvantages. Slow weight gain. In order to send a bird to the slaughter, you have to wait a lot of time.
Black-breasted
The breed was created by breeders of the Institute of Poultry of the Ukrainian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. For breeding used ducks Haki Campbell, Beijing, Ukrainian white-breasted.
Description. Birds are characterized by a massive body, a long, wide back, a large and concave chest. On the long neck is a small head with a short, blunt beak and large black eyes. The paws are short, the tail is small, and the feathers fit snugly to the body. Birds have black plumage and a white fluff on the chest.
Productivity. The average weight of ducks reaches up to 3.5 kg, drakes - up to 4 kg. During the season, the laying hen gives 110-130 white eggs weighing 85-100 g.
Content. Black white-breasted ducks are waterfowl; therefore, they need ponds or small water tanks. When keeping a large number of birds, the arrangement of the Bruderhaus is recommended, where separate sections for the free movement of birds are provided.
Merits. Well-developed maternal instinct, rapid growth and weight gain, unpretentiousness in content, calm disposition.
Disadvantages. Under inappropriate conditions and poor nutrition, there is a risk of lower egg and meat productivity.
Khaki campbell
The British breed of ducks bred at the end of the 19th century by poultry farmer Adele Campbell. It was named not only on behalf of the breeder, but also due to its unique color.
Description. Ducks are small, because they have relatively small parts of the body. An oblong sheepskin coat with deep breasts and strong, short legs. On a thin brown neck there is a small head with dark, shiny eyes. The wings are not fully developed.
Productivity. The weight of an adult drake reaches up to 3 kg, ducks - 2.2-2.5 kg. Starts to gain most of the weight by 3-4 months. Laying hens produce up to 350 eggs weighing 80 g per year.
Content. For comfortable keeping of birds, the farmer needs to take care of good pastures and ponds. A water diet can easily replace most of all feed.
Merits. High egg production, a delicate taste of meat, bird activity and a calm nature.
Disadvantages. Failure to comply with the conditions of keeping birds not only poorly gain weight, but also behave uneasily.
Pace
Breeders who have been working with the X-11 duck for a long time have managed to achieve good results and develop a new look. The pace compared to other breeds is characterized by good productive characteristics and early maturity.
Description. Birds have a large, oval trunk with a small tail and yellow, large paws. The bird has a small head with a large, yellow beak and two black eyes. The head rests on a pronounced, long neck with a slight bend. Wings with dense snow-white plumage.
Productivity. Birds at the age of two months already weigh about 3 kg. Usually drakes are larger than ducks. For a year, laying hens give 150-160 large eggs.
Content. The bird can do without a reservoir, but water tanks are installed on the territory for walking. It is also required to equip the place with a canopy protecting the birds from rain or sun.
Merits. Birds are unpretentious to care for, able to get used to low temperatures.
Disadvantages. For good weight gain, you need to provide good nutrition, which can be expensive.
Medeo
Birds bred in Kazakhstan. With several cycles of crossing the X-11 cross with the Peking duck, this breed was obtained with improved rates of egg laying and early maturity.
Description. Outwardly, the bird is especially similar to Cherry Valley ducks, and the color has changed from the Peking duck: the plumage is white, the yellow-orange beak, large legs are reddish-orange.
Productivity. Already in two months the female weighs 2.5-2.9 kg, the drake - 3.3 kg. In adulthood, the weight of a duck can be up to 4 kg, male - up to 5 kg. During the year, the female gives up to 140 large nutritious eggs.
Content. Feathered unpretentious in care, can feel good in a small area or in cages. It is advisable to provide birds with walking, but this is not a prerequisite.
Merits. The minimum feed consumption, the adaptability of birds to life in any conditions, high productive indicators.
Disadvantages. Negative sides are not noticed.
Cayuga
Unusual black birds were discovered in 1809 near the Kayuga reservoir in New York. Residents began to domesticate wild birds that flew for winter, crossing them with local breeds. The selection resulted in the formation of the breed - Kayuga.
Description. A characteristic feature of birds is a beautiful, dark plumage, shimmering in various shades of blue and green, with a metallic sheen. The elongated body of the birds is massive and strong, with a dense plumage and wings that fit tightly to the body. Animals have a wide chest, a small, erect tail and short, strong legs. A small rounded head with a wide, black beak and dark brown eyes.
Productivity. Females weigh about 3-3.2 kg, drakes - 3.5-4 kg. For a year, ducks give up to 150 eggs weighing 75-100 g.
Content. Birds are unpretentious and undemanding to food. It is recommended to keep them in the presence of free walking.
Merits. Provide delicious meat and egg products with minimal care and economical fattening.
Disadvantages. If the birds are poorly maintained and fed with poor-quality food, they can often get sick.
Today, numerous breeds of ducks are bred on private courtyards and large farms, preferring those varieties that have good productive indicators. Indeed, it is precisely these characteristics that make it possible to obtain a high-quality product and profit from the sale of meat carcasses or eggs.
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Ukraine. City: Kryvyi Rih
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