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.
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