Raising Ducks for Meat and Eggs And Choosing Breeds

Raising Ducks

Ducks are a unique animal to raise as a pet.Domestic ducks not only produce a large number of good-sized, rich eggs, but they also make good table birds. If you like chicken eggs, you will really love duck eggs. They are even richer and contain more protein, calcium, iron, potassium, and pretty much every major mineral than chicken eggs.

They are increasingly popular with self-supporters, and they can also help you rid your land of slugs and snails as they forage.They also don't take up much space. 

You'll need a secure shelter in which to house them and protect them from wildlife (and neighborhood dogs), but just three to four square feet per hen is enough.Make sure you raise your ducks from ducklings, or better yet from eggs, to ensure they will respond well to human contact.

Following here are the the lists of best duck breeds for eggs and best duck breeds for meat. 

Best Duck Breeds for Eggs:

1.The Khaki Cambell Duck Breed

2.The Runner Duck Breed

3.Indian Runner duck

Best Duck Breeds for Meat:

1.The Rouen Duck Breed

2.The Pekin Duck Breed

3.Muscovy Duck

4.Aylesbury duck

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New Castle Disease Common Causes, Spread, Disease Symptoms And Treatment

New Castle Disease

New Castle Disease or RD(Ranikhet Disease) is a transmittable disease in birds which is common in many domestic and wild species of the birds.It can also affect human beings.It is most severe and fast spreading disease that can be seen from 6th to 7th day onward up to 72 weeks. It may appear anytime in the year but more commonly in summer.

Causes: 

 It spreads due to a virus called paramyxovirus. These viruses have a different types, some are more harmful and causes severe attack on the birds while some are mildly harmful.

Spreading:

This virus spreads through air, infections is mainly through inhalation or ingestion and may spread by contaminated food and water supply.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of this disease depends upon the power of attacking virus.

Mildly harmful virus:

 Not causes any disease but may be little respiratory discomfort.

Moderately Harmful Viruses:

These viruses cause an intense respiratory disease and its symptoms.But loss of life is lower in the case of such virus.

Strongly harmful viruses:

In this case sudden death of the birds may take place. Following are the symptoms..

Depression, weakness, green diarrhea,lying down, face swelling, and nervous signs may appear which than ends in death.

Also twisting of neck, curved shape of the body and paralysis of the legs may occur.

In the kids mortality is 100%. While in the layers earlier the eggs will be soft-shelled and later stoppage of the egg laying. 

Treatment:

Their is no treatment once the infection occurred.     

Precautionary Measures:

Initial vaccination with inactivated vaccine is the only way to protect the birds from New Castle Disease.

Although New Castle Disease can not be protected only with vaccination in case of field conditions.It must therefore be assisted by good hygiene, good care, and good bio security practices.

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