Characterization of Indigenous Duck Production Systems in the Madarounfa Department, Niger

Ousseini, MOUSSA HASSAN and Nouri, BRAH and magide, ACHIROU MALAN SOULE Abdoul and Salissou, MOUSSA HASSAN (2025) Characterization of Indigenous Duck Production Systems in the Madarounfa Department, Niger. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 31 (3). pp. 359-376. ISSN 2581-3250

The local duck is a type of poultry whose farming remains rudimentary in Niger. This study aims to characterize the local duck production system in the Madarounfa Department, located in the Maradi Region of Niger. A survey was conducted among 100 farmers across five municipalities in the Madarounfa Department. The results show that 81% of producers practice mixed farming with temporary free-ranging. About 42% of respondents have 2 to 5 years of experience, and 61% prefer ducks with black-and-white plumage. The majority of farmers (83%) keep ten ducks or fewer. Farming infrastructure includes night shelters (89%), waterers (95%), feeders (97%), and ponds (55%). The main causes of duck mortality are diseases (27%), domestic accidents (17%), lack of feed (17%), and road traffic (16%). Regarding reproduction, the age at first laying is approximately 360–365 days. A hen lays between 16 and 20 eggs per cycle, with two laying cycles per year. Natural incubation lasts between 35 and 40 days, with a hatching rate of up to 90%. However, only 50% of ducklings survive. The rainy season is the most favorable for hatching. To improve productivity, interventions are needed in housing conditions, feed management, and disease prevention.