How many years on average can ducks live in nature and at home?
Ducks are water birds that live in the wild. Birds are also bred on farms. Many factors influence the life span of the mallard: nutrition, care, maintenance, hunting. In domestic individuals, this indicator is justified by performance. The older the bird, the less its productivity. Let's try to understand the question of how long domestic and wild ducks live.
How many ducks live
The lifespan of wild birds is significantly lower than that of domestic pets. This is associated with a constant risk in nature: predators, diseases, hunting. Agricultural breeds can live up to 15-20 years. The age range is also influenced by the purpose of the birds.
Yaytsenosky
Representatives of egg breeds are bred for the purpose of obtaining eggs and meat. Therefore, livestock productivity is important to farmers. A healthy individual is maximally productive up to 6-7 years of age. Further, its maintenance becomes unprofitable for the farm.
Various factors can shorten the life of birds. These include injuries, illnesses, infections. Inadequate care and inadequate nutrition of poultry will also shorten their lifespan. If the main task of the poultry farmer is to benefit from eggs, then egg-laying individuals are raised, on average, up to 3 years of age.
Meat
Representatives of this group gain optimal weight at 90 days of life. Upon reaching this age, the set of muscle mass of the bird slows down sharply, and the appetite increases significantly. Further, keeping the duck at home becomes unprofitable, it is sent for slaughter. The younger the members of the duck family, the more valuable their meat.
Meat
The lifespan of individuals is affected by egg production or body weight gain. If a bird quickly gains weight, but lays eggs poorly, then it is sent to slaughter in the third month of life. With high egg production, the duck is left up to 2-3 years of age. The average age of this group of birds is a year or two.
By day 60, ducklings gain weight up to 4 kilograms. It takes a long time for a lot of weight. An adult drake is capable of gaining up to 6 kilograms of body weight by two years of age. The largest individuals are left for breeding. Pets are kept up to 4 years old. Then the livestock is rejuvenated.
What affects the lifespan of a bird?
Many factors affect the age range of birds. Wild birds fall prey to hunters, wild animals, diseases. Pets face other dangers.
When breeding ducks at home, the poultry farmer requires increased attention.
Young and healthy individuals can die from a tick bite or insufficient care.To protect the livestock from negative factors, to increase their lifespan, the farmer must provide the ducks with everything they need:
- The house is kept clean, there should be no excessive dampness.
- The duck house is located on an elevated site so that insects and rodents cannot get to the offspring.
- It is important to exclude drafts; a high-quality ventilation system is organized in the poultry house.
- Birds are provided with comfortable living conditions. The ducks are placed at the rate of 3 individuals per 1 square meter.
- Livestock are provided with constant access to drinking water and feed.
- They observe the temperature regime, the indicator should not fall below +0.5 degrees.
- For the birds, a walking area with a swimming place is organized.
The lack of a walking area will lead to the rapid obesity of birds. Low temperatures contribute to the development of diseases. The health and performance of individuals depends on proper nutrition.
How long do ducks live in the wild?
The lifespan of wild breeds depends on the habitat of the livestock. In nature, the survival rate of ducks is much higher than that of court relatives. According to research, scientists have determined the maximum age of a wild individual - 20 years. But up to this age, a bird that lives in its natural environment rarely survives. The premature death of birds in nature is influenced by:
- Hunting people, as well as the development of infrastructures that lead to the destruction of the natural habitat of animals.
- Predators living near ducks nesting.
- Diseases, injuries, parasites that can destroy an entire livestock.
On average, mallards manage to live up to 12-14 years. Other wild species live for about 2-3 years.
Ducks are adapted to wild living conditions. A properly composed diet, timely care and grazing will help to save the life and health of the duck family. Subject to these rules, waterfowl representatives will bring the poultry farmer maximum benefit, healthy offspring, tasty meat.
