Buying a whole, plucked duck at the supermarket is easy enough, but have you ever wondered how long that duck was raised before it graced your dinner plate? An egg hatches into a tiny duckling after about a month, and over the course of several long months, it grows into a mature duck. After another year or two, it becomes an old‑style duck. Along the way, the duck transforms into a hearty dish on our tables. Today, we’ll explore the farming techniques involved in raising ducklings until they reach maturity.

　　First, maintain appropriate stocking density. When raising growing ducks in pens, management should carefully adjust stocking density according to the season and the size of individual birds. Generally, by the end of the growing period, a density of 6 birds per square meter is sufficient.

　　Second, maintain an appropriate temperature. The optimal temperature range for the growing duck housing is 13–25°C. Temperatures that are too high or too low both increase feed consumption for maintaining body weight and body temperature; excessively high temperatures can also lead to feather loss.

　　Third, supplemental lighting at night. During the rearing period, daily photoperiod should be maintained at 8–10 hours, with dim light provided continuously throughout the night; an illuminance of 0.5 watts per square meter is recommended. In the event of a power outage, candlelight should be promptly used as a backup.

　　Fourth, ensure adequate nutrition. Ducks raised in pens should be provided with a sufficient and well‑balanced supply of all essential nutrients, particularly those required for bone and feather development. The formulation of grower diets should be tailored to the birds’ growth patterns, and, depending on the breed and production objectives, appropriate feeding restrictions should be implemented, with an increased proportion of green and roughage feeds and a moderate inclusion of animal‑origin ingredients to enhance feed digestion and absorption. During the grower phase, each duck requires approximately 10 kilograms of formulated feed, fed 3–4 times per day at roughly equal intervals. Concentrated feeds are best offered as moistened mash, and clean drinking water must be made readily available. In summer, special attention should be paid to maintaining hygiene in the housing and watering systems, and moldy or spoiled feed must be strictly avoided.

　　5. Restricted feeding. This method is primarily used for caged and semi‑caged duck flocks. Restricted feeding typically begins at 8 weeks of age and continues until 16 weeks. Prior to initiating the regimen, ducks should be weighed; thereafter, a sample group should be weighed every two weeks. Supplement the diet with ample green and roughage feeds to maintain body weight within the target range for the specific breed. Both excessive and insufficient body weight can negatively affect egg production.

　　Sixth, increase contact with the duck flock. Keepers should frequently interact with the ducks to build their confidence and prevent panic‑induced scattering. Growing ducks tend to be timid, and egg‑type breeds are particularly sensitive; take every opportunity—feeding, watering, providing forage—to engage with the flock and deliberately foster their courage. This will help avoid sudden panic when strangers approach or the environment changes, thereby preventing severe losses.

　　7. Exercise and pen‑turning. It is important to increase physical activity appropriately to promote bone and muscle development, prevent excessive weight gain, and strengthen overall health. The recommended method is to lead the animals in regular, timed circling exercises within their pens, for 5–10 minutes each session, 3–4 times daily. Alternatively, exercise can be conducted in the pen’s exercise yard or nearby areas.

　　The seven points above outline the rearing process for market‑ready ducks. Shandong Linyi Shuangfa specializes in duckling breeding and the sale of mature ducks, offering a range of duck products, including whole plucked ducks. Our whole plucked ducks are now shipped nationwide, meeting market demand. Proper management throughout the growing phase is crucial for producing high‑quality market ducks.