Farm Diversification

The market for duck eggs is poor, so if intending to keep egg layers, establish a secure market before setting up your enterprise.

Hygiene is very important as duck eggs are known to transmit salmonella infection. Eggs should be washed in warm water (46 - 490C) before selling. Nest boxes with clean nesting material should be provided at a rate of one nest box to 2 - 3 ducks to ensure egg cleanliness and to reduce the number of floor eggs. Nest boxes should be easily accessible to the ducks. Fresh clean water - ducks do not require swimming water, indeed to prevent eggs being laid in swimming water and lost, it is better to provide only drinking water. The ducks must be able to submerge their heads in the drinking water to prevent eye problems and poor feather condition. A turkey size bell drinker or trough are ideal. Water must be provided inside the house and if provided on range as well must be frequently rotated to prevent deterioration of the ground around the drinker. Artificial lighting - birds must be reared on a short day (8 hours light). At 18 weeks of age the lighting should be increased by ½ hour per week until the ducks receive 16 hours of light per day. It is essential not to decrease the number of hours of light received during the laying period or the birds may cease production. Nest boxes should be provided in houses and the birds kept inside over-night until about 9.00 am by which time 95% of the eggs will have been laid. This prevents loss of eggs to predators. Stocking density - if ducks are being kept in a deep litter system, three ducks per m2 is the recommended stocking density. If a slatted or metal mesh floor is used, then five ducks per m2 is permitted. Litter can be shavings or straw, but should be kept clean to prevent dirty eggs. Feed - layers mash (preferably fed wet) or a layer pellet. Feeding trough space per 100 ducks should be at least 0.6m. Insoluble grit and limestone grit, cockle shell or oyster shell should be provided. One drake: 6 or 7 ducks.

Day-old ducklings at £150 to £350 per 100 ducklings. Housing (£75 - £400 depending on size) if not already available and feeding troughs.

£1.92 per dozen eggs - retail

Mortality is very low with the highest mortality in the first week of production (0.5% and during the last week of production due to sudden death syndrome. Mortality overall should not exceed 3%. Vaccination against Duck Viral Hepatitis may have to be administered if the wild duck population is high around the unit, or if there has been a previous outbreak of the virus. Mortality from this virus can be as high as 90%. For a list of legislation affecting the poultry sector click here.