Comparative Studies on Behaviour, Weeding and Pest Control of Ducks(Mallard, Cherry valley and their Crossbred) Free-Ranged in Paddy Fields.

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Behavioural activities were observed to compare the effects of ducks free-ranged in paddy field on weeding and pest control among Mallard, Cherry valley and their crossbred (F1). Eight ducklings on the 1st day posthatching were assigned to each paddy field (4.5a) at the 1st week after rice-planting and the ducks were free-ranged until 11 weeks of age in the paddy fields. Eating, moving and resting behaviours of the ducks were observed for 24 hr twice during the free-ranging period. In addition, the frequency of consuming pest insects within an hour was recorded for 7 consecutive days. The pest infestation was also examined. The results obtained were as follows:1. Mallards were apt to spend more time eating and moving in paddy field than Cherry valley, followed by F1.2. Resting time tended to be longer in the order, F1, Cherry valley, Mallard.3. The frequency of eating behaviour per hour of Mallard tended to be higher than that of F1 and Cherry valley, however the difference was not significant.4. Outbreak of weeds and harmful insects in the paddy field showed that no marked differences were found in weeding and pest control (especially, plant hoppers, green rice leafhoppers and big mud snails) among 3 breeds.
日本家禽学会の論文