| Raising and keeping ducks is becoming popular | | | | compared to chicken, so it will not be economical. |
| nowadays, on par with raising chicken. Primarily raised | | | | Most raisers choose keeping ducks of the Pekin |
| for their meat, more than 20 million ducks are being | | | | breed. The Pekin duck, also called the Long Island |
| raised in the United States every year. Though they | | | | Duck, is a domesticated kind of duck, bred from the |
| lay fewer eggs compared to chicken, their eggs are | | | | Mallard of China. They are better egg producers than |
| larger and tastier, plus they contain more nutrients | | | | other breeds and they gain weight quickly too. More |
| too. Keeping ducks for business is relatively less | | | | than 90 percent of duck meat consumed in the US is |
| troublesome too since ducks requires non-elaborate | | | | from Pekin ducks. A 4-7 month mature Pekin duck, |
| housing facilities. Compared to chicken, ducks need | | | | on the average, weighs about 9-10 pounds. |
| less attention and less space for rearing. | | | | Housing for keeping ducks is also inexpensive. It can |
| In choosing a business, why pick keeping ducks? It is | | | | be made from light materials such as bamboo or |
| because they are considered one of the most | | | | wood. A space of about 3 to 4 square feet is |
| versatile of the avian species. Their bodies are strong | | | | advisable for every duck. As much as possible, the |
| and can keep themselves well in wide ranges of | | | | house should be placed in a nearby moving body of |
| climatic and nutritional conditions. These means that | | | | water like a stream. A pond or paddling pool may also |
| raising them is inexpensive. | | | | work but regular water replacement, about once |
| Since they do not lay plenty of eggs, it is advised to | | | | every two weeks, is advisable. Duck droppings can |
| keep the eggs for food or for hatching. Note that | | | | make the water green in no time. They need water |
| they actually can produce more eggs but they will | | | | bodies to swim and exercise. But only allow them to |
| have to eat more egg-laying feeds, 75 percent more | | | | swim up to 2 hours so they don't get over fatigued. |