How to prepare the room and nests for the Indooch?
Indo-ducks or Muscovy ducks are quiet and picky birds. That is why many breeders choose this very productive breed. Are there any peculiarities in their content and how to equip a room for Indo-women - we suggest talking about this!
We equip the house
Quite a lot has already been said about the unpretentiousness of the Indoutok. However, for their comfort, some minimum modest conditions are needed and, of course, it is necessary to create them for the birds. It should be remembered that Indoutka comes from warm South America, and therefore does not always endure severe frosts well. Despite the fact that ducks are waterfowl, preferring to spend most of their time walking and near water bodies, they need a warm room. Otherwise, even undemanding Indo-women can get sick and even die.
Floor and walls
Considering that Indo-duck needs to be protected from hypothermia, a warm floor is one of the main conditions. The warmest and most environmentally friendly floor material is wood. However, these raw materials are also perishable, especially given the dampness that duck droppings will produce. However, you should not completely abandon the wooden floor. You can raise the floor from the ground by 10-15 cm, cover it with boards, and put, say, old linoleum on top. It will protect the tree from unnecessary moisture.
The floor can also be made of concrete. But in this case, it will be cold enough and you will need a solid layer of bedding so that the paws of your Indo-ducks are not overcooled. Also, the walls should be insulated. For this, any organic material is used: sawdust can be poured into the wall, mineral wool or foam can be used. However, cotton wool or foam must be hidden in the space between the walls, so the walls from the inside are sheathed with clapboard or chipboard.
If your poultry house is brick, then it is advisable to insulate the walls with foam from the outside, and paint from the inside. If the winter in your area is frosty, the Indoor room will need additional heating.
Nests
If you are planning to breed Muscovy ducks, then, of course, you cannot do without nests. Indoor nests are placed on the floor away from aisles or overly lit areas. Remember that Indo-duck birds are meek and timid and, while incubating or laying eggs, require loneliness and peace. And also darkness, so if your house is heavily lit, artificially create shadow zones in it and place the nests there. This should be done around the end of winter, it is from this period that the breeding season for Muscovy ducks starts.
There are no strict requirements for what the nests should be. Anything can be adapted for this purpose: old crates, boxes, baskets, flasks, old doghouses. You can put together a nest of their slats or tesa, it is desirable that it have a nut to hold the masonry and a roof, so the bird will be calmer. Inside, the structure should be carefully lined with straw, and the duck fluff will report itself. The number of nests should correspond to the number of birds, so there will be no disputes and fights between females.
Drinking bowls and feeders
Of course, no poultry house is complete without drinking bowls and feeders. There is nothing especially in the structures for drinking and feeding the Indo-Ducks.
You can use wooden long feeders - troughs installed along the walls of the house or walking area, or make feeders from plastic bottles. Drinking bowls can be very diverse: purchased or made yourself.
For example, you might consider an autodrinker made from a plastic bottle or can. Of course, a simple basin of water will do just as well. However, keeping in mind the ducks' addiction to water, do not expect the water to stay clean for at least half a day. In this case, nipple drinkers are a way out of the situation, the water in them is always clean. A useful video for anyone who is engaged in breeding Indo-dogs or is just planning to do so, next!
Making a nest to Indotke
Making nests for Indo-points with your own hands is simpler and easier and now you will see for yourself.
Tools and materials
We propose to pay attention to the construction of wood, for sure slats or boards will be found in everyone's household.
So, prepare:
- wooden slats or just any pieces of wood and bars in the amount of 4 pieces;
- nails or screws;
- measuring tape, hammer and saw;
- straw for filling.
Step-by-step instruction
- The first step is to determine the size. Optimal dimensions of the nest for Indowka: 400 x 500 x 250 mm.
- Sort the strips and cut them according to the specified dimensions. Any softwood, chipboard or OSB can be used.
- Knock down the slats or wood between each other, using the bars as supports.
- Make a nut and leave enough space for the access hole so that the bird can easily pass into the nest, but so that there is not much light in it.
- Place the nest in a dark corner, and cover the bottom with plenty of bedding. And on top, place either a piece of chipboard or a piece of slate so that the nest has a roof. The main thing is that it is stable and does not fall on the bird.
Photo gallery
You can learn a lot about Muscovy ducks from the video below, as well as look at their nests!