WATERFOWL

WHAT IS WATERFOWL?
WATERFOWL REFERS TO A DIVERSE
GROUP OF BIRDS THAT ARE
TYPICALLY FOUND IN OR NEAR
WATER, INCLUDING DUCKS, GEESE,
AND SWANS. THEY ARE
CHARACTERIZED BY THEIR
WEBBED FEET, WHICH MAKE THEM
WELL-SUITED FOR SWIMMING, AND
OFTEN HAVE WATERPROOF
FEATHERS.
 HISTORY OF WATERFOWL
THE HISTORY OF WATERFOWL
SPANS MILLIONS OF YEARS, AS
THESE BIRDS HAVE EVOLVED
AND ADAPTED TO VARIOUS
ENVIRONMENTS GLOBALLY.
ANCESTORS OF MODERN
WATERFOWL EXISTED DURING
THE TIME OF DINOSAURS.
 IMPORTANCE OF WATERFOWL
• VITAL FOR MAINTAINING WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS,
• SERVING AS INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH,
• CONTROLLING INSECT POPULATIONS,
• CONTRIBUTING TO BIODIVERSITY,
• INFLUENCING CULTURAL TRADITIONS, AND
• SUPPORTING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES THROUGH PURSUITS
LIKE HUNTING AND ECOTOURISM.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND STRENGTH
STRENGTH

• CONSERVATION EFFORTS
• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND
• ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS.
ACHIEVEMENTS
• SUCCESSFUL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
• ENSURING SPECIES SURVIVAL
• ADVANCEMENTS IN AVIAN RESEARCH AIDING ECOSYSTEM
UNDERSTANDIN AND
• ECONOMIC BENEFITS THROUGH ACTIVITIES LIKE HUNTING
• BIRDWATCHING TOURISM, AND
• HABITAT PRESERVATION
• CONTRIBUTING TO LOCAL ECONOMIES AND WILDLIFE
CONSERVATION INITIATIVES.
TAXONOMY OF DOMESTIC
WATERFOWL
 CLASSIFICATION OF
WATERFOWL
ORDER - ANSERIFORMES
(INCLUDES DUCKS, GEESE, AND
SWANS) FAMILIES: ANATIDAE
(DUCKS, GEESE, SWANS) AND
ANHIMIDAE (SCREAMERS). THE
FAMILY ANATIDAE COMPRISES
VARIOUS GENERA AND SPECIES
OF WATERFOWL, SUCH AS ANAS
(DUCKS), CYGNUS (SWANS),
AND BRANTA (GEESE).
TYPES SPECIES OF PRODUCTION

WATERFOWL PRODUCTION PRIMARILY INVOLVES THREE MAIN

ASPECTS:

MEAT PRODUCTION: SOME WATERFOWL SPECIES, LIKE

CERTAIN BREEDS OF DUCKS AND GEESE, ARE RAISED FOR
THEIR MEAT.
EGG PRODUCTION: CERTAIN BREEDS OF DUCKS,
PARTICULARLY THE PEKIN DUCK, ARE SPECIFICALLY BRED
FOR EGG PRODUCTION.
ORNAMENTAL OR EXHIBITION PURPOSES: SOME
WATERFOWL BREEDS ARE RAISED FOR THEIR AESTHETIC
APPEAL.
 BIRDS OF POULTRY SPECIES
HERE ARE A FEW NOTABLE ONES:
DUCKS:
PEKIN: KNOWN FOR ITS PROLIFIC EGG-
LAYING ABILITIES AND GOOD MEAT
PRODUCTION.
MALLARD: ONE OF THE MOST
RECOGNIZABLE WILD DUCKS; ALSO
DOMESTICATED.
MUSCOVY: RECOGNIZED FOR ITS DISTINCT
APPEARANCE AND LEAN MEAT.
GEESE:
EMBDEN: LARGE, HEAVY GEESE PRIMARILY
RAISED FOR MEAT. TOULOUSE: ANOTHER
HEAVY BREED POPULAR FOR MEAT
PRODUCTION.
GEESE:
EMBDEN: LARGE, HEAVY GEESE PRIMARILY RAISED FOR
MEAT.TOULOUSE: ANOTHER HEAVY BREED POPULAR FOR
MEAT PRODUCTION.
CHINESE: KNOWN FOR ITS KNOBBED KNOB ON THE BILL AND
UNIQUE APPEARANCE.SWANS:MUTE SWAN: ONE OF THE MOST
FAMILIAR SPECIES, OFTEN FOUND IN PONDS AND
PARKS.TRUMPETER SWAN: LARGEST NATIVE NORTH
AMERICAN WATERFOWL SPECIES.
BEWICK'S SWAN: SMALLER THAN THE OTHERS, BREEDS IN
THE ARCTIC.
WATERFOWL REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURE

MALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
TESTES: LOCATED
INTERNALLY, THESE PRODUCE
SPERM.
PHALLUS: SOME MALE
WATERFOWL HAVE A
RETRACTABLE PHALLUS USED
DURING MATING.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
OVARIES: PRODUCE EGGS WITHIN THE
FEMALE.
OVIDUCT: PASSAGE THROUGH WHICH
EGGS TRAVEL, WHERE THEY'RE
FERTILIZED AND DEVELOP SHELLS.
CLOACA: COMMON OPENING FOR
REPRODUCTION, WASTE ELIMINATION,
AND LAYING EGGS.EGGS
STUCTURE:WATERFOWL LAY EGGS WITH
HARD SHELLS, ADAPTED TO SURVIVE IN
AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS.THE SIZE,
COLOR, AND NUMBER OF EGGS LAID
VARY BETWEEN SPECIES AND
INDIVIDUALS.
BREEDING PRACTICES OF WATER FOWL
 SYSTEM OF MATING
WATERFOWL CAN BE MATED IN VARIOUS SYSTEMS: •
•MONOGAMOUS
• POLYGAMOUS, OR HAREM SYSTEMS
• DEPENDING ON THE SPECIES
• BREEDING CONDITIONS.
 TYPES OF HOUSING

HOUSING FOR WATERFOWL

BREEDING VARIES BASED ON
THE SPECIES. ENCLOSURES,
PENS, OR AVIARIES WITH
ACCESS TO WATER ARE
COMMON.
 SPACING AND DIMENSIONS

SPACING AND DIMENSIONS ARE SPECIES-SPECIFIC.

GENERALLY, AMPLE SPACE TO MOVE AROUND AND ACCESS
TO WATER ARE CRUCIAL.
 TYPES OF ROOFING

FOR SHELTER, ROOFING MATERIALS LIKE METAL, THATCH, OR

SPECIALIZED PLASTIC COVERS CAN BE USED DEPENDING ON
THE REGION'S CLIMATE AND THE WATERFOWL'S NEEDS.
 VENTILATION
ADEQUATE VENTILATION IS ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN GOOD
AIR QUALITY AND PREVENT RESPIRATORY ISSUES. THIS CAN
BE ACHIEVED THROUGH PROPER DESIGN AND VENTILATION
SYSTEMS.
 LOCATION & SECURITY
IDEAL LOCATIONS FOR WATERFOWL BREEDING ARE AREAS
WITH MINIMAL DISTURBANCES AND EASY ACCESS TO WATER
SOURCES. SECURITY MEASURES LIKE FENCING OR NETTING
MAY BE REQUIRED.
 TOPOGRAPHY
WATERFOWL PREFER AREAS NEAR WATER BODIES LIKE
PONDS, LAKES, OR MARSHES. THE TOPOGRAPHY SHOULD
ACCOMMODATE THEIR NEED FOR WATER AND NESTING SITES.
 TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

MAINTAINING APPROPRIATE TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

LEVELS WITHIN HOUSING STRUCTURES IS CRUCIAL. THIS
CAN BE REGULATED USING HEATING, COOLING, AND MISTING
SYSTEMS.
VENT SEXING
 WHAT IS VENT SEXING?

VENT SEXING IS A
METHOD USED TO
DETERMINE THE SEX OF
WATERFOWL BY
EXAMINING THEIR
CLOACA OR VENT AREA.
 HOW TO DO VENT SEXING?

IT INVOLVES AN EXPERIENCED
PERSON GENTLY SQUEEZING
THE BIRD TO EXTRUDE THE
CLOACA, ALLOWING THEM TO
VISUALLY INSPECT FOR
CHARACTERISTICS THAT DIFFER
BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE
BIRDS.
 WHY VENT SEXING?

IT'S PERFORMED TO IDENTIFY THE SEX OF BIRDS FOR

BREEDING, MANAGEMENT, OR SALES PURPOSES.
 WHEN TO DO VENT SEXING?

TYPICALLY DONE WHEN THE BIRDS ARE YOUNG, USUALLY

WITHIN THE FIRST FEW DAYS OR WEEKS AFTER HATCHING
WHEN THE CLOACA CAN BE MORE EASILY INSPECTED.
FEATHER SEXING
 WHAT IS FEATHER SEXING?

FEATHER SEXING IS A
METHOD USED TO
DETERMINE THE SEX OF
BIRDS BASED ON THE
DIFFERENCES IN FEATHER
GROWTH OR COLOR
PATTERNS BETWEEN
MALES AND FEMALES.
 HOW IT WORKS?
IN CERTAIN BREEDS OR SPECIES, MALES AND FEMALES
MIGHT HAVE DISTINCT FEATHER GROWTH OR COLORATION
PATTERNS THAT CAN BE USED TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN
THEM.
 WHY FEATHER SEXING?

IT'S EMPLOYED AS AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD FOR

DETERMINING THE SEX OF BIRDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHER
METHODS LIKE VENT SEXING MIGHT NOT BE FEASIBLE OR
ACCURATE.
 WHEN TO USE FEATHER
SEXING?
FEATHER SEXING CAN SOMETIMES BE OBSERVED SHORTLY
AFTER HATCHING, AS CERTAIN BREEDS MAY EXHIBIT EARLY
DIFFERENCES IN FEATHER GROWTH OR PATTERNS.
 MEDICATION GUIDE FOR
WATERFOWL FROM CHICK TO
FINISHER
1. BROODING STAGE (CHICKS):
ANTIBIOTICS: SOMETIMES ADMINISTERED TO PREVENT BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
COMMON IN YOUNG BIRDS.
VITAMINS/SUPPLEMENTS: GIVEN TO SUPPORT HEALTHY GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT.
COCCIDIOSTATS: USED TO PREVENT COCCIDIOSIS, A COMMON INTESTINAL
DISEASE.
2. GROWING STAGE:
ANTIBIOTICS: USED IF INFECTIONS ARISE, BUT CARE IS TAKEN DUE TO
WITHDRAWAL PERIODS BEFORE SLAUGHTER.
PARASITICIDES: ADMINISTERED IF PARASITES LIKE WORMS BECOME AN ISSUE.
VACCINATIONS: DEPENDING ON THE REGION AND DISEASES PREVALENT,
SPECIFIC VACCINATIONS MIGHT BE NECESSARY.
3. FINISHER STAGE:
WITHDRAWAL PERIOD: ENSURED FOR ANY MEDICATION
GIVEN EARLIER TO MEET SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION.
MONITORING HEALTH: REGULAR HEALTH CHECKS TO
ENSURE BIRDS ARE FREE FROM ILLNESSES.
 FEEDS & FEEDING FOR
WATERFOWL
CHICKS:
• PROTEIN, ENERGY, FATS REQUIREMENTS: HIGH-PROTEIN DIETS
(AROUND 18-20%) FOR RAPID GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, ALONG
WITH SUFFICIENT ENERGY AND FATS.
• INGREDIENTS IN DIET: TYPICALLY INCLUDE STARTER FEEDS
COMPOSED OF GRAINS LIKE CORN, WHEAT, SOYBEAN MEAL, AND
VITAMINS/MINERALS.
• AMOUNTS OF FEED: OFFER SMALL, FREQUENT MEALS; AMOUNTS
VARY WITH AGE AND SPECIES.
• TYPE OF FEEDER: SMALL, SHALLOW FEEDERS OR TROUGHS SUITABLE
FOR CHICKS.
• VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS: VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS OFTEN ADDED
TO ENSURE PROPER GROWTH AND IMMUNE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT.
 STARTER, GROWER, FINISHER
(DIFFERENT GROWTH STAGES)
• STARTER FEEDS: HIGH-PROTEIN, HIGHLY DIGESTIBLE DIETS
FOR YOUNG BIRDS.
• GROWER FEEDS: BALANCED DIETS TO SUPPORT
CONTINUED GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
• FINISHER FEEDS: LOWER PROTEIN, ENERGY-DENSE DIETS
TO SUPPORT WEIGHT GAIN AND FINISHING BEFORE
MATURITY.
 BIOSECURITY AND SANITATION
PROGRAM
• RESTRICTED ACCESS: LIMITING ACCESS TO THE PREMISES TO AUTHORIZED
PERSONNEL ONLY.
• DISINFECTION: REGULAR CLEANING AND DISINFECTION OF EQUIPMENT,
HOUSING, AND FACILITIES.
• ISOLATION: ISOLATING NEW BIRDS BEFORE INTRODUCING THEM TO THE FLOCK
TO PREVENT DISEASE TRANSMISSION.
• PEST CONTROL: IMPLEMENTING MEASURES TO CONTROL PESTS THAT MIGHT
CARRY DISEASES.
• VACCINATION PROGRAMS: FOLLOWING VACCINATION SCHEDULES TO PREVENT
COMMON DISEASES.
• PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL: MANAGING AND DISPOSING OF WASTE
APPROPRIATELY TO PREVENT DISEASE SPREAD.
• MONITORING AND REPORTING: REGULAR HEALTH CHECKS AND REPORTING OF
ANY SIGNS OF ILLNESS OR DISEASE OUTBREAKS.
 TYPES OF DISEASES
COMMON COMMUNICABLE INFECTIONS:
1. AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU):
• CAUSAL AGENT: INFLUENZA A VIRUSES.
• EFFECT: RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, DECREASED EGG PRODUCTION, HIGH
MORTALITY.
• PREVENTION: BIOSECURITY MEASURES, VACCINATION IN HIGH-RISK AREAS.
• TREATMENT: SUPPORTIVE CARE; CULLING IN SEVERE OUTBREAKS.
2. DUCK VIRAL ENTERITIS (DUCK PLAGUE):
• CAUSAL AGENT: HERPESVIRUS.
• EFFECT: HIGH MORTALITY, BLOODY DIARRHEA, NERVOUS SYSTEM SIGNS.
• PREVENTION: VACCINATION, BIOSECURITY PRACTICES.
• TREATMENT: NO SPECIFIC TREATMENT; FOCUS ON PREVENTION.
3. BOTULISM:
• CAUSAL AGENT: CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM TOXIN.
• EFFECT: PARALYSIS, DEATH IN SEVERE CASES.
• PREVENTION: PROPER WASTE MANAGEMENT, AVOIDING
CONTAMINATED WATER.
• TREATMENT: SUPPORTIVE CARE; ANTITOXIN IN SEVERE CASES.
4. NEWCASTLE DISEASE:
• CAUSAL AGENT: AVIAN PARAMYXOVIRUS.
• EFFECT: RESPIRATORY, NERVOUS, AND DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ISSUES.
• PREVENTION: VACCINATION, BIOSECURITY MEASURES.
• TREATMENT: NO SPECIFIC TREATMENT; FOCUS ON
PREVENTION.
NON-INFECTIOUS DISEASES:
1. NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES:
CAUSAL AGENT: LACK OF ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS IN THE DIET.
EFFECTS/SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: POOR GROWTH, FEATHER ABNORMALITIES,
SKELETAL ISSUES, REDUCED EGG PRODUCTION.
PREVENTION: PROVIDING A BALANCED DIET, SUPPLEMENTING WITH NECESSARY
VITAMINS AND MINERALS.
TREATMENT: ADJUSTING THE DIET TO ADDRESS DEFICIENCIES.
2. TOXICITY/POISONING:
CAUSAL AGENT: INGESTION OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES LIKE LEAD, PESTICIDES, OR
CERTAIN PLANTS.
EFFECTS/SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: VOMITING, DIARRHEA, NEUROLOGICAL ISSUES,
SUDDEN DEATH.
PREVENTION: ENSURING ACCESS TO SAFE, TOXIN-FREE ENVIRONMENTS AND FEED.
TREATMENT: ACTIVATED CHARCOAL OR OTHER TREATMENTS TO ABSORB TOXINS;
SUPPORTIVE CARE.
3. HEAT STRESS:
CAUSAL AGENT: EXPOSURE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES
WITHOUT ADEQUATE COOLING MECHANISMS.
EFFECTS/SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: PANTING, WING SPREADING,
REDUCED EGG PRODUCTION, DEHYDRATION.
PREVENTION: PROVIDING SHADE, PROPER VENTILATION,
ACCESS TO COOL WATER.
TREATMENT: COOLING MEASURES, SUCH AS MISTING OR
PROVIDING COOL WATER, AND ENSURING PROPER
VENTILATION.
 RECORD-KEEPING
1. HEALTH RECORDS:
VACCINATIONS ADMINISTERED AND THEIR DATES.
MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS GIVEN, INCLUDING DOSAGE AND
FREQUENCY.
INCIDENCES OF ILLNESS, INJURIES, OR MORTALITIES, WITH DETAILS OF
SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS PROVIDED.
2. FEED RECORDS:
TYPES OF FEED USED, THEIR FORMULATIONS, AND SUPPLIERS.
QUANTITIES OF FEED GIVEN TO DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS OR SPECIFIC BIRDS.
FEEDING SCHEDULES AND ANY ADJUSTMENTS MADE BASED ON GROWTH OR
PRODUCTION.
3. PRODUCTION RECORDS:
EGG PRODUCTION DATA, INCLUDING THE NUMBER OF EGGS LAID,
HATCH RATES, AND FERTILITY RATES.
GROWTH RATES, WEIGHT MEASUREMENTS, OR PERFORMANCE
METRICS FOR DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH.
4. BREEDING RECORDS:
PAIRING INFORMATION, INCLUDING MATING PAIRS AND THEIR
OFFSPRING.
NESTING AND HATCHING DATES, AS WELL AS ANY FERTILITY ISSUES
OBSERVED.
5. INVENTORY RECORDS:
TOTAL BIRD COUNT, CATEGORIZED BY AGE GROUPS, SEXES, AND
SPECIFIC BREEDS IF APPLICABLE.
INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFICATION METHODS IF USED, SUCH AS LEG BANDS
OR TAGS.
THANK YOU FOR
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