Characteristics and secrets of raising Cherry Valley ducks

Keeping at home

In order for Cherry Valleys to gain weight well and produce more eggs, they need to be provided with comfortable conditions.
There should not be more than three birds per square meter of poultry house

Table 2. Basic standards for keeping Cherry Valley ducks

Cherry valleys are not very afraid of the cold due to their dense plumage and survive at above-zero temperatures. But these are heat-loving birds, and experience discomfort at low temperatures, which leads to inhibition of weight gain and loss of egg production. And if dampness is added to the coolness, there is a risk that Cherry Valleys may catch a cold.

Excess moisture also affects the plumage. It gets dirty and stops storing heat. Dirty birds try to clean their plumage and are constantly smeared with fat, which leads to irritation of the coccyx gland. The feathers around it fall out, exposing the skin, which increases heat transfer. This leads to decreased immunity and resistance to diseases.

Good ventilation will help disperse damp air, it will also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and saturate the space with oxygen. But there should be no drafts. If it is intended to ventilate the poultry house using normal ventilation, the windows during its construction are mounted as high as possible.

Ducks should always have clean drinking water

Litter selection

To create comfortable conditions in the poultry house, you will need high-quality bedding. For ducks, the ideal deep version is: when one layer becomes dirty, a fresh one is sprinkled on it. This helps maintain the desired microclimate, since a biothermal process takes place inside the litter. Organic matter gradually breaks down and releases heat.

Proper bedding will ensure cleanliness, dryness and warmth.

The bedding material must be dry, hygroscopic, not moldy, and retain heat. These requirements are met:

• straw and chaff;
• sawdust and shavings;
• ground corn cobs,
• peat and dry leaves.

The litter is replaced twice a year - in spring and autumn. But adding layers must be done regularly. The duck house must be clean. A dirty room leads to the spread of infections. Used bedding material is sent to a compost pit.

Cherry wellies do not need perches. They are replaced by boards 40 cm wide and 50 cm long. They are fixed to the walls of the duck house 15 cm from the floor. Gaps are left between the beams for droppings to fall.

Bathing in water and ash

Ducks of this breed definitely need a place to walk with an equipped pond. It’s good if the site is located on the shore of a pond. But if there is no natural reservoir, an artificial pond is created. It should be so deep that the ducks can dive without any problems. In winter, water walking is stopped so that the bird does not catch a cold.

Cherry Valley needs a place to swim

Cherry valleys also like to swim in ash-sand “baths.” Such procedures relax the birds, help clean their feathers and prevent parasites. To arrange “baths”, wooden or plastic boxes are installed. They are usually made in the shape of a square, the sides of which are one and a half meters, and the height of the walls is 20 cm. The mixture of wood ash and sand in equal proportions needs to be changed once every 25 days.

In addition to a place for water treatments, the ducks are provided with a “bath” with sand and ash.

Basic requirements for maintenance and care

Cherry Valley broilers are not distinguished by their capricious disposition; any beginner can cope with caring for the bird. What conditions are required to maintain the health and productivity of ducks:

1. The temperature in the poultry house is maintained at 16-18 °. These are the best conditions for maintaining egg production. If you keep the temperature lower, egg laying will be reduced. When growing cherry blossoms in cold regions, the room is insulated, stoves or air heaters are installed, preventing the temperature from dropping below 5 °.
2. Density. Crowded spaces increase the risk of spreading infections and parasites. Recommended norms are 3 birds per square meter of area.
3. Ventilation system. It is important to free the poultry house from excess carbon dioxide and eliminate excess humidity. Recommended humidity is 60%.
4. Illumination. When kept indoors, lamps are placed in the house, providing illumination for 12-14 hours a day.
5. Cleaning the poultry house. The droppings are removed from the premises and the bedding is partially replaced once a week. Complete disinfection of the poultry house and equipment is required once every 6 months.
6. Nests are placed along the far wall. They are made from boxes, grass, moss, sawdust, and peat are laid. The number of nests is 2 times less than the number of laying hens.
7. Poultry house arrangement. At a height of 15-25 centimeters from the floor, beams are filled to serve as a perch for the cherry valley. The width of the beam is 40 centimeters, the length is from half a meter.
8. Feeders. Long wooden troughs are made for feeding. Ducks scatter food, so they fill them only a third of the height.
9. Walking area. The area is fenced with a mesh fence, grass is planted, and a canopy is made from the sun, rain, and birds of prey. The walking area is provided with feeding troughs and drinking bowls.
10. Water. If ducks do not have access to a natural pond or river, pools and water containers are placed in the walking area. The depth is sufficient for swimming. With the onset of cold weather, water procedures are canceled and the pond is cleaned so that the ducks do not catch a cold.
11. To remove ectoparasites from the plumage, containers with a mixture of ash and sand are placed so that the ducks can be cleaned of pests. Replace the mixture once every 3-4 weeks.

Ducks in the poultry house are protected from drafts. In winter, ventilation is provided, as Cherry Valleys love fresh air.

Blagovarskaya

Most poultry farmers prefer to breed birds not only to produce eggs and meat products, but also to decorate their farmstead. Blagovarian ducks are just such birds, valued for their tasty meat and external characteristics.

Description. The birds are large in size and have a horizontal, elongated body. A large head is located on a flexible, elongated, short neck. The physique is strong - in appearance the bird resembles a broiler. The voluminous, elongated body with a rounded, developed chest especially distinguishes the bird. The beak is a deep orange hue. The legs are short, widely spaced, with orange or pink paws. The birds have snow-white plumage.

Productivity. The weight of adult drakes reaches 4.4-5 kg, ducks - up to 3 kg. During the year, the laying hen produces about 200-250 large eggs weighing 90-95 g. The shell is white. The fertilization rate of eggs reaches 98%.

In winter, birds need a house to roost at night. The room is equipped with a heating and ventilation system, lighting, nests and feeders, drinking bowls, and windows.

Advantages. Rapid growth and weight gain. The birds have good meat performance and high productivity. The breed has increased resistance to various diseases.

Flaws. In order for birds to be healthy, grow quickly and gain weight, they need to be provided not only with good housing, but also with a balanced diet, which can be expensive.

Content

Breeding Cherry Valley ducks does not require any specific skills. It is necessary to adhere to several rules and monitor proper nutrition.

To raise ducks you need:

• Duckling house - the area of ​​the room is calculated as follows: 3 individuals per 1 sq.m. Lighting is provided uniformly and duration is at least 12 hours.
• A pond or mini-pool is organized near the poultry house. In cold weather, ducks stop bathing.
• Special containers for dry bathing (ash baths) measuring 20*150 cm. The baths are filled with a mixture of sand and wood ash. Ducks love to take dry baths, this helps them get rid of various parasites. Replace the ash with fresh one every month.
• The poultry house must be equipped with nests, feeders and drinkers.

Poultry house

The bird room should be spacious and bright. It is necessary to take care of the insulation of the duck house in advance. In winter, they adhere to 14 hours of daylight and temperatures of +16 - +18°C. When the temperature drops, it is necessary to heat the room with special equipment. Low temperatures negatively affect egg production and the health of ducks. Lighting in the poultry house should be uniform and not bright. The main condition is to keep the duck house clean to avoid bird diseases.

Feeders

Particular attention should be paid to feeders. These birds scatter food, and choosing the correct shape and size of the feeder will keep the ducklings clean. The optimal choice is elongated feeders with high walls. The food is poured into 1/3 of the container. A large trough is suitable for water. The water should be changed periodically for fresh water.

Nests

Nests should be equipped in the poultry house; wooden boxes are often used for this. Boxes 50*60*25 cm are attached to one side of the poultry house. To make it easier for ducks to climb into the nests, steps are installed. The bottom of the nest is covered with straw. The quantity is set at the rate of one nest for 2 individuals.

Popular breeds of broiler ducks

There are many broiler breeds. Each hybrid has its pros and cons. Let's take a closer look at the most popular breeds so that you can decide for yourself which broiler ducks are best suited for breeding on your farm.

Peking duck

Peking duck is perhaps the most famous broiler duck breed. They are quite large; the weight of an adult drake can reach 3.5-4 kg. The color of the duck is white, less often cream. This breed is also distinguished by its egg production - ducks can lay up to 120 eggs per year. In order for ducks to gain weight well and build muscle mass, protein must be present in their diet.

Star 53

Star 53 is a meat breed of duck that was bred from the Peking duck in France. In appearance, Star 53 and Beijing are identical. The description of this breed states that this French bird is capable of gaining more weight in two months than an ordinary Peking bird. The weight of the drake should reach 4 kg after 60 days. But breeders claim that there is no significant difference between these two breeds.

Cherry Valley

Cherry Valley is also a cross of Peking duck, but of the egg-meat line, and has a high egg production (up to 150 eggs are laid per year). Such birds are slaughtered after 7 weeks. Their meat is red, tasty and tender. At two months, when they need to be slaughtered, drakes weigh 2.8-3.2 kg, and ducks 2.4-2.5 kg.

Mulards

Mulards - this breed was obtained by crossing a musky drake and a Peking duck. Mulards are distinguished by dietary meat, its fat content is no more than 20-23%. The meat is reddish, with a characteristic smell of turkey ducks. Mulards can be slaughtered a little later - after 4 months, but the weight can reach 6 kg.

Mulard ducks do not reproduce on their own. At home, even with an incubator, it is impossible to get offspring from them. Since ducklings are bred using artificial insemination, the price of young animals is quite high.

Blagovarskaya

Blagovarskaya is a breed bred in Bashkiria, distinguished by its bright white plumage and high egg production. These ducks grow quickly, weighing 3.2-3.5 kg at two months.

Agidel

Agidel - this hybrid appeared as a result of crossing ducks of the Super M and Blagovarskaya breeds, as well as the Indian runner. The main characteristic of this breed is increased egg production. Agidel ducks lay the most eggs among broiler ducks - from 210 to 230 per year.

Favorite

Favorite (another name is Blue Favorite or Blue Duck) is a breed of strong, stocky birds of the meat line. The name of this breed speaks for itself - these ducks have a remarkable gray-blue plumage. They quickly gain weight, by the end of the second month they weigh 3-3.5 kg, the meat is lean. Numerous reviews from breeders indicate that this duck is in demand.

Pace

Broiler ducks of the Temp breed were also bred not so long ago. Ducks gain weight well, at the age of two months they weigh up to 3.5 kg. The fat content of the meat is low, less than 20%.

When choosing ducks for breeding, take into account the color of the plumage - a white bird after plucking looks more attractive than a bird with dark or motley feathers. White duck carcasses have an even pink or yellowish color.

Cherry Verry ducks: description of the breed

According to the description of the breed and appearance, the Cherry Valley duck resembles its ancestors - Peking ducks. They also have an elongated duck-like body with a broad chest, a prominent forehead and a thick neck. Ducks have large dark blue eyes. The medium curved beak is presented in yellow-orange shades. The Cherry Valley duck breed has thick red or orange legs that are located close to the tail. Feathers are white. Adults have a large layer of fat and unevenly developed muscles.

World breed standard:

• The duck weighs from 3.4 to 3.7 kg, the drake weighs up to 4 kg. At the seventh week of life, the weight of a young duck becomes 2.5 - 3.5 kg.
• Adult birds have a safety level of 98%, young birds - 95%.
• Egg laying begins at 6-7 months of life.
• The weight of one egg can reach 100 g.

Meat characteristics

Representatives of the breed are characterized by rapid weight gain. By three months their weight can reach 3 kg. This is achieved through a balanced diet for the birds.

Cherry Valley duck meat is red in color, slightly tough compared to white meat, and has an excellent taste. It does not belong to the dietary type of meat (reason: long-term absorption). The advantage of this product is its high content of vitamins and microelements. The meat of young animals is most often eaten because it contains less fat and more nutrients.

Additional Information. Breeders distinguish between two types of crosses: maternal line and paternal line. The maternal line is characterized by a higher egg production rate - up to 150 eggs in 12 months. In the paternal direction, the figure does not exceed 120 eggs. The paternal variety specializes in increasing meat mass. At 7 months, an individual can reach a weight of 3.5 kg. At the same age, maternal ducks weigh 2.9 kg.

Productivity

The weight of the carcass after slaughter is 66-68% of the total weight. From one individual you can get up to 3 kg of meat. The meat of young birds that have reached the age of 7 months is considered to be the most nutritious and tasty. With good maintenance and a balanced diet, one duck can lay up to 100 eggs in six months.

Bashkir

Breed of meat and egg orientation. Farmers of private farmsteads and industrial enterprises especially fell in love with these birds, due to the fact that they feed on almost any food and are able to independently satisfy their needs while walking in a meadow or on a pond.

Description. Ducks have protruding chests and a strong and muscular build. Large, widely spaced paws on short orange legs. The head is flattened on the upper side, located on a short, concave neck, curved outward. A concave orange beak with a wide growth that allows the birds to grab grass. The wings fit tightly to the body. The plumage is black-gray.

Productivity. Adult drakes weigh more than 4 kg, and ducks reach 3.7 kg. There is practically no fat in the carcass. The meat yield is at least 70%. One laying hen produces from 115 to 125 eggs weighing 70-80 g per year.

The bird is unpretentious in care, so it will feel good in special cages and pens. In the room for ducks, it is imperative to maintain an average temperature in winter, and set the optimal temperature in summer - it should not be hot.

Advantages. High survival rate of ducklings - about 80%. Birds also have increased resistance to infectious diseases, grow and develop quickly.

Flaws. Birds need to constantly drink clean water and change bedding, otherwise the animals may be susceptible to disease.

Advantages and disadvantages

The breed has a number of advantages and disadvantages. The main advantages of Cherry Valley include the following:

• Fast weight gain. The average weight of drakes is 4 kg. Moreover, in the first two months after birth, their body weight rapidly increases to 2.5 kg.
• Disease resistance. Birds of this breed almost never get sick. The retention rate for ducklings is 95% and for adults it is 98%.
• Egg production. Many farmers call these ducks laying hens. If you care for them properly, the annual egg production will be more than 200 eggs.
• Easy to care for. Even novice farmers can cope with raising such ducks. They are not picky about their diet, are not afraid of cold weather and fly in any weather.
• Delicious meat. The meat of young drakes contains very little fat, and therefore many equate it with red meat.

The breed has no particular disadvantages. The only minor drawback is the financial cost of purchasing feed.

Important! It is better not to skimp on the quality of food, since the health of poultry and the speed of weight gain largely depend on it.

Egg production is the main advantage of the breed

Description of the breed and productivity

Cherry Valley is a popular domestic duck that shares characteristics with Peking duck. Due to the high level of immunity in birds, the absence of the need to vaccinate and use medications for treatment, meat products are of high quality and have an increased vitamin composition. The meat of young individuals contains a minimal amount of fat and is considered red.

Cherry Valleys have both maternal and paternal cross lines. Crosses on the father's side are characterized by meat, and on the mother's side - by egg. The maximum weight of adult males is 4 kg, and females - 3.5 kg. Already at 7 months the weight of the young reaches 3 kg.

Resistance to diseases leads to maximum conservation of livestock. For adult birds, these figures reach 99%, and for ducklings – up to 96%. Ducks always have white feathers, and after molting they acquire a snow-white color. The bird's body has an elongated shape. A wide chest has a pronounced muscle structure and a layer of fat.

Low limbs of a rich orange color are located closer to the tail area. On a massive neck there is a small head. The forehead area is convex. The orange beak has a curved shape. The color range of the eyes is from blue to dark blue.

Diet of ducklings in the second and third decades of the first month

Gradually the diet is expanded by 10-20 g per day. Approximate diet for one duck chick:

• starting feed or ground grains 60-70 g;
• green and succulent food from 50 to 60 g;
• fish, meat broths, ground tripe 15 g. Add 0.3 g of salt to them;
• cottage cheese 10 g;
• boiled potatoes 40 g, you can add broth, meal, bran, cake in different proportions (up to 70 g);
• food additives: crushed shells and sand 3 g, bone meal, fish meal 1.5-2 g.

In the third decade of the first month, the diet is increased by 1/3, milk and cottage cheese are excluded. If Cherry Valley ducklings are grazing and swimming in a natural pond, then the diet can be reduced by 30%. After a month, the ducks are considered fully grown; their diet can only be increased slightly. This breed has a very short maturity period for slaughter. At 55 days, with a normal balanced diet, they reach a weight of up to 3 kg. There are two Cherry Valley crosses: maternal (less weight, egg-laying ducks) and paternal (higher weight, meat ducks).

It is worth noting that the Cherry Valley breed is quite heat-loving. In cold weather, the temperature in the poultry house should be kept within 16 C

The optimal daylight hours for ducks of this breed are 16 hours; in the evening it may be less intense.

Features of feeding

According to the breed description, Cherry Valley ducks have a fast metabolism. Growth rates and productivity depend on the quality characteristics of the diet. The food should include:

• carbohydrates (cereals) – corn, wheat, oats, millet are useful;
• proteins of animal and plant origin (meat, fish, dairy waste, legumes, cake);
• fats;
• vitamins and mineral components (meat and bone, bone, fish meal, fresh herbs, vegetables).

If ducks have access to a natural body of water, they do not need to be given additional fishmeal or aquatic vegetation.

The frequency of feedings depends on age. In the first days of life, ducklings are fed every 2 hours, gradually increasing the interval. At one month of age, food is given 3 times a day.

The diet of small ducklings includes a boiled egg. From day 4, low-fat cottage cheese is added. After a few days, chopped greens are introduced. From day 10, the feed is enriched with grains with a minimum amount of fiber, cake, feed yeast, and grated root vegetables. Up to 7% of the volume of the feed mixture should be protein.

At one month of age, the diet includes:

• fish or bone meal – 7%;
• crushed cereals (corn, wheat, barley - 60%);
• sunflower cake (19%);
• dry return – 3%;
• feed yeast – 5%;
• herbal flour – 3-4%;
• feed fat – 1%;
• chalk – 1%.

You can give the birds crumbly wet mash with the addition of skim milk or broth. The mash includes cereals, grated root vegetables, herbs, meat and fish waste. While walking, birds obtain food for themselves in the form of fresh grass, insects, small aquatic inhabitants and aquatic vegetation. The ducks are provided with fresh, clean water. It is convenient to use nipple models as drinking bowls.

Feeders for ducks should be narrow, long, with high sides - this will prevent food from scattering during feeding.

Breeding the breed at home

The Cherry Valley duck is capable of laying eggs for hatching ducklings at the age of just over six months, when its ability to lay eggs has improved. Her maternal instinct is developed, so incubators will not be needed. Representatives of the maternal line are able to hatch 75% of the chicks, and the paternal line - 70%. 94-96% of young animals survive to one and a half months of age. The adult population is preserved up to 98%.

For the first two days, the duck sitting on the nest is not touched. If after this period she does not go to the feeder on her own, she is brought in while food is being served, then put back on the eggs. By repeating this action several times during the week, you can develop a reflex in the female. While waiting for the ducklings, the air temperature is maintained at least 14-16°C.

Maintaining a high level of livestock health ensures profitable breeding of the breed. Broiler duck is susceptible to vitamin deficiency, which negatively affects its well-being and provokes further complications. A lack of vitamin A causes eye disease, and a lack of vitamin E causes seizures and heart failure. Therefore, to maintain their level in the body, green mass, premixes and vitamin supplements are included in the diet.

Hypothermia and sudden temperature changes can lead to colds, runny nose, and omphalitis. Severe contamination of food and water causes intestinal infections. A weakened bird loses its appetite, becomes apathetic, and suffers from metabolic disorders. Therefore, careful care for the health of the duckling and the adult will ensure the preservation of the maximum number of livestock.

Planting Cherry Valley ducklings for adolescence

The most profitable ducks in the household

Cherry Valley, Cherry-velly

Subtleties of breeding

Raising ducklings at home does not cause difficulties even for inexperienced poultry farmers. Cherry Valley ducks have a developed maternal instinct, they willingly sit on the clutch and hatch ducklings. Ducks reach maturity at 7 months. Along with hatching, incubation is used in small farms.

When crossing, it is important to select ducks of appropriate lines that will not spoil the breed or lead to degeneration and loss of properties. A duck can hatch up to 20 eggs at a time. For the first two days she does not get up, she settles down on the masonry. Water and food are placed nearby so that the duck can eat without losing sight of the eggs.

In terms of survival, Cherry Valley ducklings do not lag behind young Indian ducks (92-96%). In the first days after birth, it is important to provide heating of the poultry house (28-30 °), lighting for a long time.

They start feeding the ducklings with finely chopped eggs, then gradually introduce porridge and cottage cheese, diluting them with fermented milk products. Feeding – 5-6 times a day. Week-old ducklings are given greens, which are finely chopped and steamed with boiling water. 7 week old ducks are ready for slaughter. Their meat is distinguished by tenderness, low fat content, and a pleasant aroma without the characteristic pronounced smell of an adult duck.

Mulards

Breeders created a hybrid in order to improve the qualities of the parent breeds to obtain a new, improved specimen. For crossing, indo-duck and domestic duck of the Peking white, Rouen, etc. breeds are used.

Description. The birds have a special appearance, making them difficult to confuse with other ducks. The sizes are large, the body is dense and elongated. On a strong, long neck there is an oval, small head. The body is supported on strong legs with short yellow-orange legs. The eyes are dark, the beak is flat, light yellow, and slightly elongated. The feathers fit tightly to the body. The feather color is predominantly white. The birds are calm, not noisy and clean.

Productivity. The hybrid has high productive qualities. In the first 2-3 months, ducks weigh 3.5-4 kg; at four months of age, body weight reaches about 6 kg. Duck meat is lean, especially valued in cooking and considered a delicacy.

It is permissible to keep ducks in an insulated shed where they will spend the night. Birds also need to be given free space to walk. The temperature in the poultry house should be no lower than +16 and no higher than +25 degrees.

Advantages. Calm disposition, precociousness, cleanliness, high meat performance, ease of care.

Flaws. Mulards are not found in the wild and are not able to reproduce on their own. Birds are raised exclusively at home.

A breeder of Mulardy ducks shares his experience of breeding them in the following video:

Characteristics of Cherry Valley ducks

The breed is distinguished by high quality characteristics, for which it is valued by farmers around the world.

• Individuals grow quite quickly. Birds at the 7th week of life already weigh about 2.5-3.5 kg. It is at this age that they are usually sent for slaughter. Carcass weight after slaughter – 66-68%.
• The poultry meat is red in color, a bit tough compared to white meat, but quite tender, with excellent taste. The meat is nutritious and contains many minerals and vitamins.

Carcass weight after slaughter – 66-68%

• The safety of adult birds is 98%, that of young birds is 95%.
• Females begin to lay eggs at 6-7 months of age.
• Females can produce 120-150 high-quality eggs per year.
• The weight of one egg is about 100 g.

Breed characteristics

The breed belongs to the egg-meat breed and is famous for its early maturity. The meat is red and in young ducks contains a small amount of fat. In an adult bird, the meat becomes tougher, the fat content increases, but the taste remains high.

Breed standards:

• duck weight – 3.4-3.7 kilograms, maximum weight of males – 4 kilograms, females – 3.5 kilograms;
• when slaughtered at 7 weeks, the weight is 2.6-3.5 kilograms;
• females begin to lay eggs at 7 months, egg weight is 70-90 grams;
• Cherry Valleys have 2 crosses and a hybrid line of the breed with average indicators for eggs and meat.

Maternal and paternal lines of ducks differ somewhat in productivity characteristics. Paternal has the following indicators:

• egg yield – 100-110 per year;
• The weight of a duck at 7 weeks of age is 3.5 kilograms on average.

Representatives of the parent group:

• lay 120-150 eggs per year;
• weigh up to 2.9 kilograms.

Maternal crosses of ducks are purchased for breeding, sale of eggs and ducklings. Representatives of the paternal line of the breed are bred for early slaughter for meat.

See also

Is it possible and how to properly give baking soda to ducks? Are there any contraindications? Read

Note: Duck meat is not considered dietary; it takes longer to digest than white species. It has high content of useful substances.

Characteristic diseases

If the house is dirty and the diet is inadequate, even persistent and hardy Cherry Velli will get sick.

What does a shortage of valuable elements in the poultry menu lead to:

• to conjunctivitis due to lack of vitamin A;
• to cramps and weak pulse with a lack of vitamin E;
• to Urovsky disease (or Kashin-Beck disease) with a deficiency of minerals.

The latter disease is manifested by ducks pulling out their own feathers, eating sawdust and swallowing small pebbles.

To normalize the condition of your pets, you need to adjust the diet by adding the missing elements. Vitamin deficiency is compensated by the abundance of greens in the diet and premixes. Deficiency of mineral elements - by adding meat and bone meal to the feed.

Premixes for farm animals and birds

In cold and damp poultry houses, ducks get cold, do not want to move, and lose their appetite. The consequences of this can be diseases such as omphalitis and catarrh. If an infection has penetrated through the feed or dirt in the house, the ducks will have intestinal upset.

If symptoms of the disease appear, the sick bird should be placed in a separate cage, and the poultry house should be disinfected. Then a veterinarian is called to examine the sick duck, make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Possible diseases

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Cherry Valley ducks have high immunity and resistance to a wide variety of diseases. And yet they can hurt in some cases. For example, with poor nutrition, they become deficient in vitamins, which in turn leads to diseases such as conjunctivitis and vitamin deficiency. The lack of any substances can be noticed by the behavior of birds. Usually they start eating small stones, sawdust, and plucking feathers. To solve the problem, the diet is improved and premixes are included in the feed.

Cherry Valley ducks have high immunity and resistance to a wide variety of ailments

In addition, sudden changes in temperature lead to the appearance of colds, omphalitis or catarrh. The main symptoms are inactivity and loss of appetite. If the bird is given stale food, then problems with the intestines and stool begin.

To prevent birds from getting sick, and if something happens, to recover quickly, you need to call a veterinarian at the first sign of illness. Sick individuals are usually isolated and treated with a prescription from a veterinarian. The rest of the herd is undergoing preventative treatment.

Useful tips

Ducklings should not be given:

• bread;
• dairy products (except cottage cheese);
• flour;
• boiled porridge (except oatmeal);
• berries (strawberries, raspberries, any others);
• grape;
• silage;
• fresh nettle (it must be dried or doused with boiling water);
• onion;
• cabbage;
• sunflower seeds;
• chicken feed;
• maple leaves (causes intestinal blockage and death of chicks).

You can feed corn, peas, legumes, oats, cake, meal, wheat, rye, barley, tomatoes, carrots, grass, and give mineral supplements (chalk, shell rock, bone meal, coarse sand, crushed shells). Vegetables must be chopped and it is best to fill them with water. The bird also loves aquatic vegetation, insects and worms. Small fish can be given only after the ducklings have swum in open water.

Feeding rules

The health and productivity of poultry depends on proper nutrition. Diet also affects the taste of meat. In nature, ducks feed on greens, insects, and plankton. At home, they need to choose a diet that will replenish all the necessary nutrients.

In large farms, Cherry Valley is given as feed. On average, one duck needs 260–300 grams of food per day. They pour food into the feeders three times a day - morning, afternoon and evening.

Standards for issuing feed to ducks

Owners of private farmsteads usually feed ducks with self-created food. For breakfast and lunch, wet mash is suitable, including swollen grains (corn is best) and bran, herbal flour, boiled potatoes or carrots, table scraps and some dairy products. For dinner, the bird receives oat and barley sprouts, dry grains, and a little crushed shell or chalk. “Dishes” need to be lightly salted.

To make the meat tastier, you should add greens and cabbage leaves to the food. During the period of active egg laying, the amount of mineral supplements is increased to improve the properties of the shell.

Babies of this breed grow rapidly. They need a lot of protein. For the first seven days after hatching, they are fed chopped eggs and cottage cheese. You can add chopped young nettle after scalding the leaves. When the ducklings are one and a half weeks old, add other greens - clover, dandelion leaves and crumpled boiled potatoes. Then gradually add a little mash at a time so that the kids adapt to adult food.

When the ducklings are three weeks old, they are given four meals a day.

The babies are fed six times a day. By the age of three weeks, the number of meals is gradually reduced to four, and after another week the young animals are transferred to the adult diet. With a full diet, by seven weeks young birds gain 2.6–3.5 kg of live weight.

Birds of this breed eat sloppily; it is important to keep the feeders and the area around them clean. To maintain hygiene, the easiest way is to install elongated trays with high sides and fill them no more than a third

The water in the drinking bowls is changed after each feeding.

Poultry keeping

Rules taken into account when preparing a duckling:

The room for keeping ducks is spacious. For 1 sq. m no more than 3 ducks are placed. Ducks should be provided with light for up to 12 hours. For additional lighting, simple medium-bright lamps are used. The light should be distributed evenly. The room temperature is kept at least +5 degrees

It is important to monitor the temperature especially on winter days. For laying ducks, the temperature should be increased

You should keep the duckling house in order, this will avoid the death of birds from unsanitary conditions. As bedding, you can use materials that absorb moisture and give off heat, such as peat, sawdust or straw. Provide good ventilation to prevent carbon dioxide from collecting in the house.

When arranging a poultry house for Cherry Valley ducks, standard perches are replaced with wide beams, which should be secured to the walls at a height of 20 cm from the floor.

Need to arrange housing

You should also provide ash baths for birds. They allow birds to clean their feathers of dirt and parasites. For a bath, a wooden box is suitable, the width of which is 1.5 m and the height is 20 cm. Ash and fine sand are poured into them. The contents must be changed at least once every 20 days.

You should organize a place for birds to walk. In spring and summer, a swimming pool for birds is built. In winter and autumn, you can limit yourself to a walk around the paddock with straw bedding.

Important! In winter and autumn, water treatments are contraindicated for these birds. Otherwise, colds may occur. This breed is not fussy about grooming.

The poultry house should be cleaned regularly. Severe pollution will lead to the proliferation of diseases, which can destroy the entire livestock. Cherry Valleys have good immunity, so each poultry farmer decides on his own whether to vaccinate

This breed is not fussy about care. The poultry house should be cleaned regularly. Severe pollution will lead to the proliferation of diseases, which can destroy the entire livestock. Cherry Valleys have good immunity, so each poultry farmer decides on the issue of vaccination.

Feeders

When choosing a feeder, you should take into account that Cherry ducks scatter their food throughout the ducklings. Therefore, for the feeder you should choose a long trough with high sides. The containers are filled to a third. Ducks should always have clean drinking water.

Ducks should always have clean drinking water.

Nests

For nests, choose cardboard boxes or wooden boxes, which are placed along one of the walls. The dimensions of the boxes for one duck should be 60*50 cm, and the height - 10 - 25 cm. The number of nests is made twice as large as the number of birds.

Feeding adults

Poultry keepers often ask how and how much to feed Cherry Valley ducks

It is important to understand how to make a balanced diet for birds at home

Ducks are fed 2-3 times a day. There are 2 types of food:

1. Dry food. It is most often used on industrial farms for automated feeders. It is granules of vitamins and vegetables.
2. Combined feed. This diet includes morning feeding with wet mash. To prepare it, bran, herbal flour, fish waste, and cooked root vegetables are used. The mixture is diluted with water. You can also give whey or yogurt. The evening diet includes grains, oats or barley. To improve digestion, add gravel or chalk.

Feeding and caring for Cherry Valley ducklings

At seven months of age, birds begin to lay eggs. One individual can hatch up to 20 chicks. Ducks have a well-developed parental instinct, so they can sit on eggs on their own.

Important! When ducks sit on eggs, they should not be disturbed for the first couple of days. On the third day, in cases where the bird does not go to food, it is carefully removed from the nest and brought to the feeder. After the bird has eaten, it is returned to the nest

After the bird has eaten, it is returned to the nest.

Little ducklings have excellent immunity. The hatched chicks are covered with thick yellow down. The probability of death of young chicks, with proper care, is only 4%.

The nutrition of newborns should be selected in a balanced manner, with special attention paid to protein foods. For the first 10 days, babies should receive crushed eggs, cottage cheese, and kefir. On the fifth day, you can add chopped herbs, onions or nettles to your diet.

After the 11th day, ducklings are given root vegetables and a little mash, which are intended for adults

On the fifth day, you can introduce chopped herbs, onions or nettles into your diet. After the 11th day, the ducklings are given root vegetables and a little mash, which are intended for adults.

Broiler duck breeds

There are several subspecies or breeds of broiler ducks; which one to grow should be decided by the farmer himself. Among the total number of breeds, the most popular ones should be highlighted.

Mulard

Mulard

This breed came to Russia from France. Birds are distinguished by dietary meat, with a low fat ratio. They grow quickly and are unpretentious in maintenance. For good growth, ordinary pasture will be enough for them. The only thing that upsets me is that the chicks need to be bred artificially, or rather by crossing a musk drake with a Pekin duck. In this case, Mulard will inherit a large amount of muscle from his father, and rapid growth from his mother.

Cherry Valley

These birds are very popular on farms because they gain weight of more than three kilograms already in the third month of life. Upon reaching maturity, a duck is capable of laying more than one hundred and fifty eggs throughout the year.

Blagovarsky

Individuals of this breed gain weight up to four kilograms already in the eighth week of life. During this entire period, the young animals eat at least three kilograms of well-prepared food. The meat tastes very tender.

Medeo

A bird can gain more than two kilograms of weight, provided that it is properly cared for. In addition, it is highly productive. In a year, one hen produces at least one hundred and fifty eggs.

Medeo

Agidel

The most unpretentious, but at the same time the most productive breed of broiler ducks. She is able to grow with poor maintenance, despite this, the laying hen will produce about two hundred and forty eggs throughout the year. In six months, the bird grows by three kilograms in weight.

Pekingese breed

Peking broiler duck remains the most popular in Russia. It is this that is the basis for developing new breeds of broilers.

Birds of this breed are slightly smaller than other varieties, but, nevertheless, the female weighs about three and a half kilograms, the male grows by four kilograms. Over the course of a month, the young gain more than two and a half kilograms.

If you like the Peking broiler duck, a description of the breed will help you understand what is needed to raise it. Birds of this breed are distinguished by their large heads and beaks, painted in a bright orange color. Their body is wide, both from the back and from the chest. The neck is strong, strong, but not too long. The wings are strong and fit tightly. The legs are set wide apart and are orange in color. The plumage of the birds is pure white.

Pekingese breed

The peculiarities of the Peking duck are its high metabolism, which occurs due to its body temperature.

Important! The bird's body temperature must be constantly maintained, thanks to this it will produce good growth. Thanks to the short intestines, birds digest food quickly. For this reason, they constantly need food.

Only in this case will they gain weight and remain healthy.

For this reason, they constantly need food. Only in this case will they gain weight and remain healthy.

Thanks to the short intestines, birds digest food quickly. For this reason, they constantly need food. Only in this case will they gain weight and remain healthy.

Breeding Features

Eggs suitable for breeding have a uniform, dense structure, a shape without defects, cracks and uncharacteristic growths. The period of their keeping without a hen does not exceed a week.

The hen is ready to hatch if she does not leave her home for a long time and plucks out her down to build a future nest.

Cherry Welly ducks have a strong maternal instinct. The owner will not have problems with the incubation process, since the females are assiduous and incubate the eggs patiently, without leaving their place. Therefore, to prevent the duck from becoming weak, after the first two days it is lifted from its perch and force-fed.

Chicks are provided with warmth and light from the first day. The temperature in the room where they are located is +28°, +30°.

Newborn cherry welly ducklings are given food rich in protein and calcium: crushed boiled eggs mixed with porridge or cottage cheese. After a few days, chopped grass and dry feed are introduced into the babies’ diet. The feeding time of the chicks is once every three hours.

Cherry Valley ducks – a successful cross

Any owner will be happy to keep in his house a breed of duck that is characterized by high egg production, rapid weight gain and unpretentious maintenance. Cherry Valley ducks fully meet the above requirements. They can be classified as birds of combined productivity. You can successfully obtain both meat and eggs from these ducks.

Story

Cherry Valley ducks originated in England. Birds of the Peking duck selection were taken as the basis. Characteristics of the paternal line (151):

• egg production – 120 eggs;
• weight of young animals at seven weeks is 3.4 kg;
• weight of adults: females – 3.5 kg, males – 4 kg.

Characteristics of the maternal line (102):

• egg production – 150 eggs;
• weight of young animals at seven weeks is 2.9 kg;
• weight of adults: females - 3.4 kg, males - 3.7 kg.

This two-line cross combines the best qualities of both lines. It has gained popularity among poultry farmers in many countries around the world. The breed came to the post-Soviet space in 1972. She has not lost her popularity even today. It is purchased with pleasure both for private farmsteads and for large poultry farms.

Cherry Valley ducks look very similar to Peking ducks. They have a powerful build and a vertical body posture. The wings are short, tightly pressed to the body, short legs, thick neck. Bright orange beak and white plumage (in the vast majority).

Cherry Valley ducks: characteristics

This is perhaps one of the most popular and fastest-ripening meat breeds. Ducklings gain weight up to 3 kg in two months. Meat yield averages 65%. The slaughter yield reaches 80%.

Despite the fact that this breed of Cherry Valley ducks has a meat type of productivity, it inherited high egg production from the maternal line - up to 150 eggs in seven months. Ducks begin laying eggs at 6 months. They are perfect for those poultry farmers who want to raise poultry themselves.

The Cherry Valley duck (you can see the photo in the text) does not require special conditions. The bird is unpretentious and pays very well for food. For summer keeping of birds, a spacious barn with bedding for overnight stays (the main thing is that there are no drafts), free grazing during the day and access to water is sufficient.

In winter, you will need an insulated room, the ideal temperature for keeping it is +10...+14 °C (in any case, not lower than +6 °C). As the degrees drop, the bird stops laying eggs and suddenly loses weight. To maintain the level of weight gain and maintain good egg production, the birds are given longer daylight hours using artificial lighting. Its total duration should not be less than 10-12 hours.

Ducklings are very hardy, the survival rate is high. The most important thing is to control their feeding for the first couple of days so that all the babies peck at the food together. A properly selected diet from the first days of a bird’s life will help to achieve the desired result.

Ducks are fed both plant and animal food. The diet includes crumbly mash; they are prepared in milk or water. Season with hard-boiled eggs and millet porridge. Gradually introduce grains and herbs. Greens that are useful for ducklings include dill, onions, clover, dandelions, and sow thistle. At the age of a month, the young animals are released into the pond (if there is one).

We must not forget that well-selected and balanced food will help ducklings gain the necessary live weight on time.

Advantages

The Cherry Valley duck breed is distinguished by a number of qualities that distinguish it from the variety of other duck breeds:

• intensive growth of ducklings (by 2 months, young animals gain 80% of the weight of an adult);
• high egg productivity - up to 150 eggs;
• safety of young animals 96%;
• safety of adults 98%;
• unpretentious to the conditions of detention.

Today, in private and small farms, there is a clear trend towards breeding poultry that can gain weight in 45-50 days. Cherry Valley meets these requirements, and this is precisely the secret of such a demand for the breed.

The level of demand is influenced by the fact that many specialized farms are engaged in their breeding. Private owners and farmers always have reliable suppliers of quality cherry valley duck stock.

How whimsical are cherry wellies?

Cherry Valley broilers do not require special conditions. They can tolerate heat and high humidity. In summer, the livestock is kept on grazing. An aviary is organized for birds on an area with vegetation, where a canopy is installed. Under the canopy, ducks hide from bad weather and lay eggs.

If you plan to leave the flock in the enclosure around the clock, then feeders and drinking bowls are installed under the canopy. A separate area is allocated for the water container, which is lined with bricks. Water should not flood the lawn where ducks graze.

If the livestock is taken to a pond, then the individuals spend almost the whole day on the water. They feed on algae and get shellfish for themselves. They ignore the fish. Owners need to monitor the females at what time they lay eggs. There is a high probability that they will find some bush or hummock for a nest. The palace workers will have to look for duck eggs.

Raising young animals for meat requires some control. The livestock is kept on bedding indoors. They don't walk him. The amount of feed consumed by young animals is constantly monitored. Control weighings are carried out once a week. Meat stock is used at 45 or 60 days.

In winter, the livestock is brought indoors. It is pre-cleaned, disinfected, and the bedding in it is changed. The optimal temperature for cherry tomatoes is 18 C, humidity 60%. If you do not plan to get a lot of eggs from the bird in winter, then the air temperature can be reduced to 8 C.

In the conditions of poultry farms, they can withstand a certain overcrowding. There are 3 ducks per 1 m2. In backyards they usually keep 2 ducks per 1 m2. An exit to the enclosure is made from the room. In it, the livestock walks and breathes fresh air. To keep the birds warm, wood shavings are placed in the enclosure to prevent frostbite on their extremities.

Cherry's only whim is fresh air indoors. They have good immunity, but ammonia vapors have a negative effect on the respiratory system of birds. They start to get sick. The room needs to be ventilated. For this purpose, a ventilation system is provided in the poultry house. At the same time, ducks must be protected from drafts.