Ducks Ducks have several advantages over other poultry species , in particular their diseasee tolerance .
They are hardy , excellent foragers and easy to herd , particularly in wetlands where they tend to flock together . A disadvantage of ducks ( relative to other poultry ), when kept in confinement and fed balanced rations , is their high feed wastage , due to the shovel-shape of their bill This makes their use of feed less efficient and thus their meat and eggs more expensive than those of chickens . Duck feathers and feather down can also make an important contribution to income . Different breeds of ducks are usually grouped into three classes : meat or general purpose ; egg production ; and ornamental .
The average egg production of the egg breeds is approximately 70 percent ( hen / day basis ). In most tropical countries , there are local duck breeds that have been selected to suit local conditions . They may not perform as well as improved breeds , but they do have the ability to survive and produce well under local extensive and semi-intensive systems .
Geese Geese are less important in family poultry production , but of late they are being kept for security purposes mainly exploiting their aggressive territorial nature .
Page 19 of 163