Grazing ducks feed the wheat

This year, China's major wheat-producing regions have experienced a bountiful harvest. The market price of wheat is approximately 1.7 yuan per kilogram, which is roughly comparable to the price of corn. However, wheat has significantly higher nutritional value than corn. One key indicator is its protein content, which is about 3.5% lower than the minimum requirement of 16.5% needed for laying ducks. Therefore, under similar grazing conditions, using wheat as a supplement can help boost egg production and maintain long-term high yields. **What are the real-world benefits of using wheat as supplemental feed for free-range ducks?** After this year’s wheat harvest, the author visited Dangyang Town in Fuyang City, Anhui Province. Along the Weishui River, two elderly men, both surnamed Wang, were feeding their free-range ducks with wheat. The river flowed gently, and the silt from upstream had been washed away, leaving a soft and nutrient-rich riverbed. Bitter grass, black algae, and duckweed thrived in the area, along with snails and other aquatic creatures. In recent years, the number of ducks raised along the river has increased, but commercial feed for caged ducks is expensive, and the abundant natural vegetation in the river is often unused, leading to modest economic returns. To improve efficiency, the two Wangs raised 600 free-range ducks together. Each duck was given 120 grams of wheat daily, divided into four meals at 8 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM, and 7 PM, with a ratio of 20:25:25:30. They also allowed the ducks to graze on fallen wheat in the fields for over 20 days. As a result, each duck could lay up to 18 kilograms of eggs annually. According to the elder Wang, if they had only 200-300 small ducks, they would get one egg for every 20 kilograms of feed. If you're considering using wheat as a supplement for your free-range ducks, here are some practical tips: First, start introducing wheat to ducklings or newly hatched ducks, and avoid switching to it during the laying period. Second, wheat contains more non-starch polysaccharides, which can be hard to digest and may cause loose stools (commonly referred to as "sugar chicken gizzards"). During warmer seasons, soak the wheat in water. Once it's fully soaked, feed it to the ducks two or three times a day, keeping it moist. This helps activate the germs in the wheat, enhancing its nutritional value. When the wheat feels slightly warm to the touch, it's ready to be fed. In colder months, you can add specific enzymes designed for wheat to the wet feed—about 5 grams per 50 kilograms of wheat—to achieve similar results. Using wheat as a supplement not only improves the health and productivity of your ducks but also offers an economical and sustainable feeding option.

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