Advantages and Disadvantages of Duck Farming

Duck Farming is a lucrative business in the whole world. In this article, I would like to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Duck farming.

Ducks, like other birds, can be used for their meat and eggs. There are many ways to raise ducks. The simplest method requires little capital input and the ducks are raised with other farm animals as part of a mixed farm. To decide how to raise ducks, the farmer or agricultural extension worker must ask several questions:

Are the ducks for your own use or do you also want to sell duck products?

If you are considering raising ducks to sell your products, it is important to know if there is a market for eggs or meat. Will the raising of ducks fit in with the rest of your activities? Do you have space for the ducks?

Not only do you need space for shelter and a water supply for the ducks, but also, your daily care takes time and could hinder the execution of other activities.

Where are you going to get ducklings to keep a flock? Will you play them yourself or will you buy ducks when you need them? If you plan to buy them, can you be sure there will be a regular supply in the future? What will the ducks feed? Where can you get food for ducks?

Is there enough food available on your own farm or will you have to buy some types of duck food? Ducks are able to look for much of their food by themselves, but it is often necessary to give them additional food in the dry season. If ducks roam freely, they are more likely to suffer from a lack of vitamins and minerals.

Advantages of ducks compared to chickens:

Ducks are stronger than chickens; they require less attention than chickens and are less likely to get sick than chickens. Ducks are larger than chickens, so if they are raised for their meat, there will be more to sell. The eggs of the ducks are also larger than the chicken eggs. Ducks do not necessarily need complementary grains and corn. Chickens usually need high-quality complementary food. Ducks eat more plant material and insects than chickens. Ducks also eat snails.

Disadvantages of ducks compared to chickens:

Ducks are waterfowl and need water to reproduce and grow well. A pool or pond can take up a lot of space. They can also be provided with a water pit so that the ducks can bathe. Every pool, pond, pit or water tub should be kept clean and hygienic.

The duck (also known as Barbary Duck) has less need to cool down and therefore has less need for a constant supply of water to bathe. The Pekingese duck originally comes from colder climates and lives near water. These ducks need water to maintain the temperature of their bodies at the correct level.

In summing up, it can be said that though duck farming has some demerits, yet a new entrepreneur should start this business first.