Vol. 12, Special Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Rafiqul Islam, Jakir Hussain, Mihir Sarma, Joga Dev Mahanta, Deben Sapcota, Arfan Ali and J Saharia

Abstract:
The present study was conducted to investigate flock dynamics, management practices and occurrence of diseases and their prevention of ducks in Assam. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed among 200 duck farmers in Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Dhubri and Nagaon districts of Assam. Fifty duck farmers were selected from each district randomly. Primary data were collected by personal interview method and were analyzed with descriptive statistics using range and percentage. Results showed that flock size, breeds reared, system of management, feeding management, brooding management, occurrence of diseases, causes of mortality and causes of no vaccination practice all differed highly significantly (p<0.01) among the groups as per the chi-square test. The majority (79.0%) of duck farmers had a flock size ranged between 1-10, while some (13.0%) had flock strength of 11-25 and remaining (8.0%) had flock size of more than 25. The most common breed of duck was Pati (82.50%) followed by graded (15.50%) and local (Muscovy) duck (2.0%) reared by duck farmers. Majority (94.0%) of respondents raised duck in extensive system without any supplemental feed except kitchen wastes. However, they provided night shelter/housing (98.0%) and commercial chicken feed (2.0%) for ducks. Cooked rice and rice bran were the most (68.0%) common feed provided for ducks. Most (98.0%) of the farmers practiced natural brooding, while only few farmers (2.0%) practiced artificial brooding. Most prevalent disease of ducks were duck plague (95.0%), duck cholera (2.0%), botulism (2.0%) and miscellaneous (1.0%). Most common causes of mortality in ducklings were cold shock (58.0%), drowning (26.0%) and predators (16.0%). None of the ducks were vaccinated against any diseases. Non-availability of vaccines (93.0%) and non-availability of vaccines in smaller doses (<50 doses) (5.0%) and lack of skilled person (2.0%) were the main causes of non-vaccination of ducks. Improved management practices including proper housing, good nutrition, improved health care practices would go a long way in improving productive performance and reduce occurrence of duck diseases.