Ducks are waterfowl that live in the wild. Birds are also bred on farms. The lifespan of a mallard is influenced by many factors: nutrition, care, maintenance, hunting. In domestic animals, this indicator is justified by productivity. The older the bird, the less productive it is. Let's try to understand the question of how long domestic and wild ducks live.
How long do ducks live?
The life expectancy of wild birds is significantly lower than that of domestic pets. This is due to the 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.
Oviparous
Representatives of egg breeds are bred to produce eggs and meat. Therefore, livestock productivity is important to farmers. A healthy individual is maximally productive until the age of 6-7 years. Further, its maintenance becomes unprofitable for the farm.
Various factors can shorten the life of birds. These include injuries, illnesses, and infections. Inadequate care and improper nutrition of poultry also shortens its lifespan. If the main goal of a poultry farmer is to obtain benefits from eggs, then egg-laying individuals are raised, on average, until they reach 3 years of age.
Meat
Representatives of this group gain optimal weight at 90 days of life. Upon reaching this age, the bird’s muscle mass growth slows down sharply, and its appetite increases significantly. Further, keeping the duck at home becomes unprofitable, it is sent for slaughter. The younger the representatives of the duck family, the more valuable their meat.
Meat and egg
The lifespan of individuals is affected by egg production or body weight gain. If a bird quickly gains weight, but does not lay eggs well, then it is sent for slaughter in the third month of life. With high egg production rates, the duck is left until 2-3 years of age. The average age of this group of birds is one to two years.
By day 60, ducklings gain weight up to 4 kilograms. Heavy weights take a long time. An adult drake can gain up to 6 kilograms of body weight by the age of two years. The largest individuals are left for breeding. Pets are kept until 4 years of age. Then the livestock is rejuvenated.
What affects a bird's lifespan?
The age range of birds is influenced by many factors. Wild birds become victims of hunters, wild animals, and 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 and increase their lifespan, the farmer must provide the ducks with everything they need:
- The poultry house is kept clean; there should be no excessive dampness.
- The duck house is located on an elevated area so that insects and rodents cannot reach the offspring.
- It is important to eliminate drafts; a high-quality ventilation system is organized in the poultry house.
- The birds are provided with comfortable living conditions. Ducks are placed at the rate of 3 individuals per 1 square meter.
- Livestock are provided with constant access to drinking water and feed.
- Observe the temperature regime, the indicator should not fall below +0.5 degrees.
- A walking area with a place for swimming is organized for birds.
The lack of a walking area will lead to rapid obesity in birds. Low temperatures promote the development of diseases. The health and productivity of individuals depend 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 probability of survival of ducks is much higher than that of their court relatives. According to research, scientists have determined the maximum age of a wild individual to be 20 years. But a bird living in its natural environment rarely survives to this age.The premature death of birds in nature is influenced by:
- People engaged in hunting, as well as the development of infrastructures that lead to the destruction of the natural habitat of animals.
- Predators living near nesting ducks.
- Diseases, injuries, parasites that can destroy an entire livestock.
On average, mallards manage to live up to 12-14 years. Other breeds found in the wild live for about 2-3 years.
Ducks are adapted to wild habitats. A properly formulated diet, timely care and grazing will help keep the duck family alive and healthy. If these rules are followed, waterfowl will bring maximum benefits to the poultry farmer, healthy offspring, and tasty meat.
