Scenario of backyard duck rearing with socio-economic conditions and phenotypic characters of some selected area in Kurigram, Bangladesh

Abstract

A study was carried out from November to January 2008-2009 on selected 100 household’s farms under 5 zones at Kurigram District of Bangladesh. The aim of the study was check to phenotypic characters, body weight of mature ducks and duckling, productive and reproductive performance, disease frequency and socio-economic conditions of farmers. The level of education of women beneficiaries varied from primary to higher secondary. However, the farmers categorized illiterate having only signature capabilities were recorded to be 9% and 3% farmer’s yearly income level less than 10,000 tk. Four categories duck rearer were selected whose flock size were 3-10, 10-15, 15-20, >20 at the beginning of the study. Average flock size of the farmer was 6.08. The study revealed that the highest no of ducks per farm with large farmers 30 while lowest was found with landless farmers 3. Average egg production of yearly duck was 115. Average male and female ratio was 1:5.7. Most of the farmers use hen for brooding and average egg no 12-14 set for incubation and hatchability percentage were 84%. Average egg and duckling weight were 56 gm and 33.5 gm. But mature body weight of male and female was1.73 and 1.55. Average age of first laying were 4 month but production period were 4±.60 years. Pond sharing for semi- scavenging ducks among the neighboring farmers was the common practice. Phenotypic characters of duck plumage color Yellowish, shank color yellowish, body color pure black, white and combination of black and brown, egg color were whitish. Mortality of duck was 20.025%. Incidence of the disease ranked duck plague as the highest 55% followed by the duck cholera 17%, Colibacillosis 13%, Salmonellosis 9% and botulism 6%. Overall backyard duck rearing condition of Kurigram was good and farmer’s participation was very appreciable.