Raising ducks in the fields 'one capital, four profits'

(Baonghean.vn) - For many years now, farmers in Yen Thanh district have been developing the profession of raising free-range ducks, following the rice crops of the year. This profession not only reduces investment costs, increases economic efficiency but also provides a source of clean food for the market.

For many years now, Mr. Tran Quang Giang (Hamlet 9, Xuan Thanh Commune) has invested in developing free-range duck farming. When the rice plants begin to flower, it is also the time he raises ducks. Based on his experience, he pays special attention to taking care of the ducklings when they are newly hatched and not strong enough to find food. The food for the ducks at this stage is mainly rice bran and corn bran mixed with chopped crabs and snails to ensure adequate nutrition. Free-range ducks live in a natural environment, so in the first 25 days, the ducks are vaccinated against diseases.

During the rice harvest, he will let the ducks out into the fields to eat the fallen rice grains and look for natural prey. On average, each crop, Mr. Giang raises over 2,000 ducks. After only 2 months of raising them, the ducks weigh from 1.8-2 kg each.

During harvest season, Yen Thanh farmers start releasing ducks into the fields to search for natural food from the rice fields.

This summer-autumn crop alone, his family has invested 60 million VND to raise 2,500 free-range ducks, and expects to sell 5 tons of commercial ducks in about a month. With the current market price of 35,000 VND/kg, his family will earn about 170 million VND, minus the initial investment cost, bringing in a high profit in just a short period of time.

Mainly raised in a natural environment, the experience of free-range duck farmers is to always focus on vaccinating ducks at about 1 month old to limit disease.

With the potential advantages of an agricultural district, with over 13 thousand hectares of cultivated land, producing two rice crops per year and nearly 2,000 hectares of ponds and lakes, not to mention the river system, canals... raising free-range ducks has become a traditional occupation of Yen Thanh farmers.

Free range ducks are usually local grass ducks or hybrid ducks, so they have high resistance and are very agile. Due to a lot of movement, the weight of free range ducks is not as large as some other duck breeds, but the meat is firm, delicious and rich in nutrients. Free range ducks are a clean food source, currently very popular in the market, so the output is always stable.

For many years, raising ducks in the fields has been a traditional occupation of the people of Yen Thanh rice district.

However, according to the experience of many households, raising free-range ducks is not always favorable. Because the ducks forage from the vast fields, the total herd is often depleted. Although, since the breeding stock has been protected from disease, during the erratic weather, the ducks running on the fields are often susceptible to disease. Therefore, farmers must constantly monitor, to have appropriate measures for raising and preventing disease.

Free range duck meat is firm, delicious and rich in nutrients so it is very popular in the market.

Currently, in Yen Thanh district, in addition to 200 thousand native ducks being raised in captivity to provide breeding stock and commercial eggs, each crop season there are about 400 thousand ducks raised in the fields. Many households with economic and labor conditions often raise 3-4 thousand free-range ducks, mainly provided by many natural food sources available in the fields, so the ducks grow quickly, after only 2 months the ducks will be qualified for sale, reducing many costs for the breeders.

Duck farming in Yen Thanh district is becoming a stable income profession, contributing to job creation and legitimate enrichment for farmers.

Sun

Yen Thanh Station