On arrival in Nepal the consultant spent three days in Kathmandu for briefing and discussions with the Government officials in fisheries and livestock. The consultant also paid a courtesy call on K.S. Keshari, Deputy Director-General, Department of Agriculture.
The consultant arrived at his duty station in Pokhara on 5 October 1978 and left on 26 November. During this time a trip was made to other areas: to Bhairawa Fishery Development Centre and Hetauda Commercial Fish Farm, where the ducks are being kept for breeding and distribution of ducklings to the people. He also visited Kathmandu for further discussions with the government officials in fisheries, as well as with people in the private sector.
During his assignment in Nepal, the consultant had numerous discussions with the Project Manager and the Co-Manager of the FAO/UNDP Project which greatly facilitated his work.
According to information obtained, the average egg production of Pekin duck was 21 percent, 28.7 percent and 14 percent in Bhairawa, Hetauda, and Pokhara farms respectively. The hatchability rate, based on the number of total eggs set, was very poor, averaging 34 percent, 48 percent and 47 percent in Bhairawa, Hetauda and Pokhara farms respectively. The average egg production per year was not recorded.
Observations were made at all the three farms.
Because of the limited building space available, a two-storeyed duck house with inclined ramps to enable the ducks to enter the upper storey, is used to accomodate the whole flock, with no separation of layer or grower, male or female. Improvements could be made to increase egg production by separation of growers from layers.
Poultry feed is fed in wet mash from twice a day, usually at 09.30 hours but during holidays at 10.30 hours, 11.00 and 14.30 hours. Feed was not properly wet, sometimes very watery.
The total number of the Pekin flock was 439 male and 724 female. They were allowed to roam around the ponds and lake during the day time and kept in the duck house during the night.
Eggs are collected once in the morning, dirty eggs were washed and brushed heavily with antiseptic solution. The room where eggs were held prior to incubation was somewhat hot because of no ceiling. With the financial assistance of FAO through the Project Manager, the ceiling of this room was fixed.
Selection of eggs for incubation was based only on discarding cracked-shelled eggs. It was felt that improvements could be made in the selection eggs e.g. discarding small and irregularly shaped eggs.
The techniques of incubating the eggs could also be improved, particularly with regard to ensuring that there is adequate water in the pan of the incubator, candling of eggs on the 5th to 7th day and discarding of rotten eggs to prevent infection of the other eggs and developing embryos.
The maintenance of records regarding egg production, feed consumption, incubation and other matters was examined and it was found that this could also be improved.
Only one duck house is used to accomodate the whole flock which was composed of Pekin duck (65 males and 228 females) and Hong-Kong cross duck (8 males and 38 females). This house is also used for brooding ducklings.
Feed was given inside the house twice a day, morning and afternoon. Water was also given in the house. With this practice there was always wet floor space. For the total number of 339 birds, only 10 kg of feed mixed with an equal amount of wheat was given per meal. Poultry feed is also used but seemed to be a very inferior quality due to deterioration of nutrients because of long storage.
Three separate duck houses, located at different ponds, are used. Rice husks are provided as litter in the houses. Good fencing, half on the ground and half in the water, goes with each duck house but ducks were also allowed to go out from the confined area.
The total number of Pekin stock was 94 males and 315 females and of Hong Kong cross 37 males and 173 females.
Poultry feed is also used here and is of good quality as well as fresh because there is a feed factory in the town. Feed was given twice a day, morning and afternoon. Feeding was done on a wide platform in front of duck house, having a border 2.5 inches high all around. Much feed remained uneaten because ducks could not eat very close to the bottom.
Three incubators were installed on the first floor of the technicians's quarters. Doors and windows were always kept closed and no ventilation hole was provided. Sometimes the incubator's ventilation holes were closed. Eggs were gathered and held prior to incubation in the attendant's room with the door and all windows sometimes kept closed. Ducklings were being brooded under the technician's quarters. A good water supply needs to be provided both for humans and ducklings. Fairly reasonable records were being maintained.
Suggestions to solve the above-mentioned problems were given.
Egg fertility tests were carried out and it was found that the average egg fertility of all the three farms was 92 percent.
The consultant trained the respective technicians in charge in the various aspects of duck husbandry, such as:
