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NATP
on Productivity Enhancement of Ducks Makes Significant Progress |
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The
Indian Council of Agricultural Research has sanctioned the National Agricultural
Technology Project (NATP) on Productivity Enhancement of Ducks under the PSR
mode to the Kerala Agricultural University as the lead centre for a period of
four years. The project was started at CAS in Poultry Science, College of
Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy during September 1999 under the
Principal Investigatorship of Dr. A. Jalaludeen, Director. The project has
registered significant progress.
A
detailed benchmark survey has been conducted in the major duck rearing regions
in the Kerala State. More than 70% of the duck production in the state is
concentrated around the coastal regions. Artificial incubation is practiced for
the hatching of duck eggs. Many distinct local varieties have been identified.
There is lack of scientific knowledge on various duck husbandry practices like
brooding, growth pattern, nutritional requirement, and bio- security
measures.
A study to assess the egg production of Kuttanad
ducks revealed that from an unselected flock 32.4% of ducks laid more than 90
eggs in 140 days of production. This clearly shows the superior production
performance of Kuttanad ducks. The study also revealed that rearing of layer
ducks under the cage system is found to be feasible. They can be reared either
in individual cages or in two birdcages. Crop content studies of foraging ducks
revealed that the fibre content in the crop material is very high (27.82%).
Epidemiology
of duck diseases revealed that duck pasteurellosis (duck cholera) is the major
threat. As duck cholera vaccine is not available in the country, chicken cholera
vaccine from a private firm was tested among duck flocks and was found
effective. In addition, standardization of duck cholera killed vaccine has been
initiated under the project.
A starter feed was prepared and a trial was conduced on ducklings and its utility was established. The know-how of feed formula was transferred to M/s. Kerala Solvents Extractions Ltd (KSE Ltd) for large-scale production. Duckling farmers of Kuttanad area have started using the feed with success.