The water in the bathing pool for the green-necked ducks is changed regularly. Photo:Duc Binh.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tam, residing in Hamlet 6 (Chieng Mung Commune, Mai Son District), has achieved success with her livestock breeding model.green-necked duckNative to Son La province.

This breed of duck is renowned for its strong resistance to disease and adaptability to harsh natural conditions. It is a popular choice among consumers due to its delicious, firm meat and low susceptibility to disease. Its distinguishing features include a short neck, small, stubby legs, and mottled feathers on the neck and head.

With prices ranging from 100,000 to 110,000 VND/kg, Mrs. Tam's duck products always have a stable market thanks to regular orders from restaurants inside and outside Son La province.

Vaccination is prioritized according to veterinary staff recommendations. Before restocking, newly hatched ducklings are vaccinated against hepatitis at 3 days old, then against cholera (first dose) at 7 days old, against avian influenza at 15 days old, against cholera (second dose) at 21 days old, and against avian influenza (second dose) at 45 days old. After vaccination, the duck flock has good resistance, minimizing the risk of disease and promoting rapid growth.

The price of ducklings imported from hatcheries ranges from 17,000 to 18,000 VND per duckling. After about 3.5 to 4 months of raising, her ducks can reach a weight of 1.7 - 1.8 kg, which is the appropriate time to sell them and ensure the best meat quality.

To ensure the quality of duck farming in accordance with biosafety standards, Ms. Tam strictly implements a nutritional process for the ducks. The ducks' feed mainly consists of corn, rice bran, and mung bean meal—natural foods that help the ducks grow healthily. All ingredients are mixed together and then put into a pelletizing machine.

Each day, the ducks are fed two meals, one in the morning and one in the evening, with the total feed cost per duck being approximately 60,000 - 70,000 VND.

Thorough hygiene practices are implemented in the poultry houses, minimizing odors and ensuring the health of the green-necked ducks. (Photo:)Duc Binh.

Besides focusing on nutrition, maintaining hygiene in the duck coop is also crucial. Every 10 days, she cleans the coop, using lime powder to sprinkle around the floor and inside the coop to kill bacteria. Afterward, she rinses it thoroughly with water, ensuring there are no unpleasant odors and that the ducks' living environment is always well-ventilated and clean. A water tank, 20-30cm deep, is also strategically placed so the ducks can bathe and drink daily, ensuring the best possible health for the flock.

Another important element in Ms. Tam's farming model is her systematic investment in housing. She invested over 500 million VND in 2022 to build five fully covered barns to protect the ducks from rain and wind, covering an area of ​​2,500 square meters. The barns are divided into different areas according to the ducks' developmental stages, from hatchlings to adulthood. This allows her to easily manage and care for the flock effectively, while also optimizing the use of space.

Thanks to a scientific breeding process, Ms. Tam achieves a stable income from selling commercial ducks. On average, she sells 200 to 300 ducks per month according to orders from restaurants inside and outside Son La province, earning a profit of 10-13 million VND per month.

To prepare for this year's Tet holiday, Ms. Tam has planned to sell over 500 ducks, with restocking carried out regularly every month, hoping to further popularize this duck breed in the nationwide market.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Head of the Son La Department of Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries: “The native green-necked duck breed is a new direction in livestock farming for people in Son La, thanks to its good resistance and delicious meat quality. In addition, the care techniques are quite simple and do not require much time or cost. The Department is planning to support farmers in further developing this duck breed widely in the area.”

Source: nongnghiep.vn