As Muscovy ducks are white, black, brown and grey in colour with swollen fresh around eyes and beaks, they are social and the difference between male and female is gotten when they are mature.
Males grow larger than females up to 4 kg for males and 2 kg for females. Males also make soft hissing sound and are incapable of quaking. Muscovy ducks have clawed feet and easily fly, lay 60 eggs eggs per year with 33-35 days incubation period.
Muscovy duck management
First, they are fed depending on physiological state and initially feed them on starter of 20% CP for first 3 weeks and then on growers ration of 18% CP until market stage. At breeding stage feed them at breeding ration of 16 % CP and then provide calcium in the feed.
Similarly provide 6 inches space for each duck and fibre ration to breeders to avoid over feeding and feed wastage. Keep i male to 7 females for breeding at stocking density of 2 birds / Sqm and allow birds to mate naturally and lay eggs in incubation boxes for 35 days in a maintained temperature os of 27 degrees celsius with relative humidity of 75%. Provide open water source for birds to control their temperatures and humidity.
As ducks are heat tolerant, mange stress in house and built house in East – west direction orientation with extended roof to minimise sunlight. Brooding section has wired cages built 1 ft fro m floor to facilitate easy cleaning and sanitation.
Furthermore, artificially heat cages to 10 degrees celsius using candles and bulbs and after 3 weeks, move ducklings to growing pens under the growing pen systems which include deep litre and concrete floor. Keep litre dry to prevent fungi growth and development of pathogens while for concrete floors, clean at least once every 2 weeks and provide a nest for each duck.
Finally ensure bio security measures to prevent pests and diseases and maintain dry clean litre.
