Journal of Asia Trade and Business (J. Asia Trade Bus.

; 아시아무역연구) ISSN 2383-8787 (Print)

Vol.6, No.2, December 2019 (pp.21-37)
http://dx.doi.org/10.22447/jatb.6.2.201912.21

An Analysis of Duck Egg Production in the Philippines:

Factors Affecting the Decision of Duck Raisers on the Choice
of Stock Replacement for Duck Egg Production
Arlene C. Gutierreza
a
Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship, College of Economics and Management,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines

Received 12 October 2019, Revised 5 December 2019, Accepted 22 December 2019

Abstract

Duck has been one of the most important segments of the poultry industry in the Philippines.
It has been a major contributor in the total agricultural output of the country. Duck egg
production remained as the dominating sector in the industry due to various processing
opportunities like balut (embryonated egg), penoy (unfertilized duck egg without yolk), century
egg and salted egg which were gaining attention both in the local and export markets. In view
of these trade opportunities, the Bureau of Animal Industry in the country continuously
developed new breeds of duck. However, limited research studies tackled the traits that duck
raisers perceived to be important when choosing the stock replacement. A survey among 295
commercial duck raisers was conducted focusing on production practices and decision factors
in selecting stock replacement. Based on the results which involved descriptive statistics, the
chi square test, frequency counts and the analytical hierarchical process, price and quality were
determined to be the most important considerations of duck raisers when selecting their stock
replacement. However, it was found out that raisers were willing to pay a higher price in
exchange for better quality stock replacement but one major problem is the availability of new
stocks. Thus, it is recommended that the government focus on new breeds with better quality
as well as ensure the availability of these breeds to duck raisers all over the country.

Keywords: Duck, Duck Egg, Embryonated Egg, Decision Factors

JEL Classifications: D70, N55, O13

Ⅰ. Introduction regarded as one of the contributors of growth

in the country’s agriculture sector. Duck
Duck raising is the second largest poultry production, which is a major part of the
industry in the Philippines and has been poultry group, contributed 18.67% to the total

a
E-mail: [email protected]
Ⓒ 2019 The Asian Trade Association. All rights reserved.
22 Journal of Asia Trade and Business Vol. 6, No. 2, December 2019

agricultural output and was able to realize Dagaas, 2004). According to Dr. Rene C.
Gross Value Added of Php170.9 million (USD Santiago (2017) from the Bureau of Animal
3.4 million) in the third quarter of 2019 Industry (BAI), the most common egg-type
(Philippine Statistics Authority, 2019). breed raised in the country is the Philippine
Specifically, the total duck production in the Mallard Duck, also known as the Pateros duck
second quarter of 2019 was recorded at 5.33 or itik.
thousand metric tons while duck egg Stock replacement, which can either be
production realized a 7.6% year-on-year day-old ducklings or ready-to lay pullets, is
growth and was estimated at 13.89 thousand still considered as one of the most important
metric tons in terms of volume of production inputs of production in duck raising as this
(Philippine Statistics Authority, 2019). dictates the quality of egg produced as well
In view of its numerous advantages, duck as the potential returns the duck raisers can
raising has been popular in the country. get from the output. Lack of quality breeder
Primarily, ducks do not need high-end inputs stocks has been cited as one of the major
compared to other poultry animals. Ducks issues in duck egg production in the
only need simple and less expensive housing Philippines. This is due to the lack of
facilities. In terms of feeds, ducks can be fed specialized breeder farms and hatcheries in
varied alternatives like rice, cassava, corn and the country. (Chang & Dagaas, 2004). In order
fruits. Furthermore, they have the natural to address this problem, the Bureau of Animal
tendency to search for green legumes, aquatic Industry (BAI) is continuously developing new
weeds, and snails as their food which reduces breeds of duck that will increase the duck
the feed cost. Ducks also live longer than productivity and profitability of duck raisers.
chickens and grow rapidly since they need less However, there have been limited research
rearing places and a shorter brooding period. studies on which factors the duck raisers
Raisers can profit even in the second year of perceived to be important when choosing the
laying and can replace the stock later than the stock replacement for their farms. Monleon
interval (Chang H.-S. , et al., 2003). (2015) conducted a research on the traits of
There are two types of ducks raised in the economic importance in duck egg production
Philippines, namely, the egg-type and the in the Philippines. The study focused on feeds
meat-type. Among these types, the egg-type is and number of eggs as determinants for
more commonly raised due to the wide variety success in duck farming and did not look at
of processing opportunities associated with the impact of the quality of stock replacement.
this. In the Philippines, about 90% of total egg On the other hand, the research of Chang &
production is used for processing. Duck eggs Dagaas (2004) found out that duck raisers in
can be processed into balut (embryonated general are not particular in terms of the
egg), century egg, penoy (unfertilized duck egg breed or the quality of the stock replacement
without yolk), and salted egg which are duck due to unavailability of good quality of stock
egg variants in high demand in both the especially in the remote areas, higher costs
domestic and export markets (Chang & associated with sourcing better quality stocks
 An Analysis of Duck Egg Production in the Philippines 23

Fig 1. Philippine Duck Egg Production by Region

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (2016).

and lack of knowledge on identifying good The general objective of this study was to
quality stocks. As a result, duck raisers resort assess the factors affecting the decisions of
to the use of expensive external inputs such duck raisers when choosing the stock
as formulated feeds and medicine to fight replacement in duck egg production.
diseases. This not only increased costs but Specifically, it aimed to (1) present the profile
affected the quality of outputs. of duck raisers in the Philippines, (2) discuss
Fifteen years after the study of Chang & the production practices of duck raisers in the
Dagaas (2004), it would be worthwhile to look country, (3) assess the problems encountered
at the industry from the duck raisers’ point of in duck egg production, (4) identify the most
view. Specifically, it would be very important important factors in choosing the stock
to take into consideration their perspective on replacement, and (5) recommend specific
the new breeds of duck that are being actions for technology-developers.
developed by the Bureau of Animal Industry.
This is critical information as it ensures a more
market-driven approach in developing new Ⅲ. Methodology
breeds for duck egg production.
The study primarily used a descriptive
research design in assessing the factors
Ⅱ. Objectives of the Study affecting the decisions of duck raisers when
24 Journal of Asia Trade and Business Vol. 6, No. 2, December 2019

Table 1. Breakdown of Survey Respondents per Region

Region Target Percentage from the Total No. Number of

Respondents of Duck Raisers per Region Respondents Surveyed

Central Luzon 110 40% 80

Northern Mindanao 40 10% 30

SOCCSKSARGEN 30 8% 30

Cagayan Valley 30 8% 30
Western Visayas 30 6% 20

CALABARZON 15 4% 15
Davao Region 20 4% 20
Zamboanga Peninsula 15 2% 15
Total 295 295

choosing the stock replacement in duck egg Provincial Veterinary Office and the Provincial
production. A survey among 295 commercial Agriculture Office from each province, lists of
duck raisers was conducted. Survey areas were duck raisers with more than 100 duck heads
chosen from the regions with high volumes of were given for the random selection of the
duck egg production. Based from the main respondents. Table 1 shows the target
Philippine statistics data bank (Philippine respondents based from the list given by the
Statistics Authority, 2016), the top producing said offices.
regions for 2016 were Central Luzon (40%), Data collected include the socio-demo-
Northern Mindanao (10%), SOCCSKSARGEN graphic and business profiles of duck raisers,
(8%), Cagayan Valley (7%), Western Visayas duck egg production practices and their
(6%), CALABARZON (4%), Davao Region (4%) decision factors in choosing the stock
and Zamboanga Peninsula (2%). replacement. On the other hand, the insights
Among the top provinces with the highest about the market preference and purchase
volume of duck egg production are the decision-making pattern were generated
provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and
Pampanga in Central Luzon; Bukidnon in interviews with representatives of industry
Northern Mindanao; Sultan Kudarat in associations, government regulatory agencies
SOCCSKSARGEN; Negros Occidental and Iloilo and other key stakeholders. Field observations
in Western Visayas; Cagayan and Isabela in were also conducted by visiting farms and
Cagayan Valley; Laguna and Quezon in production facilities. The industry background
CALABARZON; Davao del Norte and Davao del and statistics were retrieved from the Bureau
Sur in Davao Region; and Zamboanga del Sur of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), Bureau of
in Zamboanga Peninsula. With the help of the Animal Industry (BAI) and other relevant
 An Analysis of Duck Egg Production in the Philippines 25

Table 2. Distribution of Respondents across Regions and Provinces

REGION/PROVINCE Number of Respondents Percentage (%)

Cagayan Valley
Cagayan 15 5.08%
Isabela 15 5.08%
CALABARZON
Laguna 10 3.39%
Quezon 5 1.70%
Central Luzon
Bulacan 40 13.56%
Nueva Ecija 30 10.17%
Pampanga 40 13.56%
Davao
Davao del Norte 16 5.43%
Davao del Sur 4 1.37%
Northern Mindanao
Bukidnon 40 13.56%
SOCCKSARGEN
Sultan Kudarat 35 11.86%
Western Visayas
Iloilo 15 5.08%
Negros Occidental 15 5.08%
Zamboanga Peninsula
Zamboanga del Sur 15 5.08%
Total 295 100.00%
Source: Field Survey (2017).

agencies of the Department of Agriculture. highest duck egg production volumes in the
Analysis of data was conducted using country with 37.29% coming from Central
descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. Luzon, 13.56% from Northern Mindanao,
The attributes of stock replacement that duck 11.86% from SOCCKSARGEN, 10.16% each
raisers deemed important were analyzed from Cagayan Valley and Western Visayas,
using percentage counts and the analytical 6.80% from Davao Region, 5.09% from
hierarchical process. CALABARZON and 5.08% from Zamboanga
Peninsula. The provinces that were covered in
the survey as well as the distribution of the
Ⅳ. Results and Discussion respondents are presented in Table 2.
As seen in Table 3, majority of the duck
1. Socio-Demographic Profile raisers are male. The average age of the
respondents is 47 years old. The youngest is
A sample of 295 duck raisers were 20 years old while the oldest is 80 years old.
interviewed from the selected regions with the From the areas of the study, the average
26 Journal of Asia Trade and Business Vol. 6, No. 2, December 2019

Table 3. Age, Gender and Household Size Profile of the Respondents

Region Grand
Region Cagayan CALABAR- Central Davao Northern SOCCK- Western Zamboanga (%)
Total
Valley ZON Luzon Region Mindanao SARGEN Visayas Preonsula
Age
Less than 30 2 2 7 4 4 0 4 1 24 8.14%
30-40 9 3 19 6 7 7 9 5 65 22.03%
41-50 12 5 27 4 15 14 10 4 91 30.85%
51-60 6 2 41 3 12 13 6 4 87 29.49%
61-70 0 2 13 3 2 1 1 1 23 7.80%
71-80 1 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 1.69%
Sex
F 12 4 18 4 13 9 17 5 82 27.80%
M 18 11 92 16 27 26 13 10 213 72.20%
Household Size
1-5 22 13 80 17 30 23 25 12 222 75.25%
6-10 8 2 30 3 10 10 5 3 71 24.07%
11-15 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0.68%
Source: Field Survey (2017).

household size is 5. The average number of seminars were either the absence of training
years spent by respondents on education is seminars in the area or if ever there were such
10 years (in other words, high school seminars, they had no time to attend because
graduates). of their busy schedules.
In terms of technical training or seminars
attended, 29% of the respondents have 2. Business Profile
attended some training seminars on duck
farming. These seminars were mostly All the duck raisers interviewed were
conducted either by the farmer’s cooperative primarily raising egg-type ducks. Out of the
or private feeds company. However, such 295 respondents, 280 respondents (94.92%)
training seminars mainly focused on the were raising ducks solely for egg production.
technical aspect of duck raising or the use of The other 15 duck raisers (5.08%), from the
feeds in duck farming. These did not tackle on provinces of Bulacan and Laguna, raised ducks
any new trends in duck production including to be sold as ready-to-lay pullets. The raisers
new breeds in the pipeline nor about new did not have any idea of what was the specific
market information in the duck industry. breed of ducks that they are currently raising.
Meanwhile, the remaining 71% or 210 duck The ducks were already a combination of
raisers have not attended any seminar different breeds available in the area.
regarding duck farming. They solely used their Moreover, on the average, the raisers were
personal experiences and knowledge in engaged in duck raising for around 12.67
managing their duck farm operations. Some of years already. The size of the farm depends
their reasons for not attending such training on the total number of duck heads. Total
 An Analysis of Duck Egg Production in the Philippines 27

Table 4. Business Profile of the Respondents

Region Grand Percentage
Region Cagayan CALA- Central Davao Northern SOCCK- Western Zamboanga
Total (%)
Valley BARZON Luzon Region Mindanao SARGEN Visayas Prninsula
Total number of heads
100-500 6 1 12 13 32 22 30 13 129 44.95%
501-1000 14 0 28 6 6 12 0 2 68 23.69%
> 1000 10 6 70 1 2 1 0 0 90 31.36%
Main Business
Egg Production 30 6 96 20 40 35 30 15 272 94.77%
Selling of Ready-to-lay Pullets 0 1 14 0 0 0 0 0 15 5.23%
Years in Duck Farming
> 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 4 1.39%
1-5 9 5 27 12 16 11 9 6 95 33.10%
6-10 8 1 15 4 9 10 9 2 58 20.21%
11-15 3 0 15 0 5 6 4 1 34 11.85%
16-20 4 0 27 2 2 2 5 3 45 15.68%
21-25 3 0 4 0 2 3 1 1 14 4.88%
26-30 2 0 15 1 4 3 1 0 26 9.06%
31-35 0 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 5 1.74%
36-40 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 5 1.74%
41-45 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.35%
Location
Within the barangay 20 7 95 19 28 34 30 15 248 86.41%
Outside barangay but w/in the
municipality
2 0 6 1 12 1 0 0 22 7.67%
Outside the municipality 8 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 17 5.92%
Tenure Status
Owner 1 7 80 10 4 10 0 5 117 40.77%
Amortizing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%
Leases 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0.70%
Tenant 29 0 29 8 36 25 30 10 167 58.19%
Others 0 0 1 9 0 0 0 0 10 3.48%
Water Availability
Very poor 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 2.09%
Poor 7 0 4 1 0 20 6 0 38 13.24%
Average 7 1 11 0 6 0 16 1 42 14.63%
Good 4 0 23 9 9 0 8 9 62 21.60%
Very Good 9 3 72 19 25 15 0 5 148 51.57%
Kinds of duck
Egg type 30 7 110 20 40 35 30 15 287 100.00%
Meat type 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%
Duck faming/raising practices
Combination 7 1 21 4 0 3 1 0 37 12.89%
Pasture/Free Range 22 2 30 12 36 32 29 12 175 60.98%
Poultry/Confinement 1 4 59 4 4 0 0 3 75 26.13%
Source: Field Survey (2017).

number of heads ranging from 100 to 500 large-sized farms. Looking at the different
is considered as a small-size operation, while regions, it can be observed that almost all the
number of heads ranging from 501 to 1000 regions were dominated by small and
is considered as a medium-sized operation, medium-sized farms except for Central Luzon
and those with more than 1000 heads are where 63% of the farms operated on a large
considered as large-sized operations. From the scale.
295 respondents, 44.95.73 % belong to Out of the 295 respondents, 60.98%
small-sized farms, 23.69% belong to practiced the traditional way or the free-range
medium-sized farms, and 31.36.88% to system. In this system, duck raisers pasture
28 Journal of Asia Trade and Business Vol. 6, No. 2, December 2019

Fig 2. Distribution of the Form of Stock Replacement

Source: Field Survey (2017).

their stock in the rice farms during the rearing confinement system (Table 4). The land area
and laying period. They only use commercial devoted for their duck house or farm ranges
feeds when they deemed it was necessary. from 50 square meters to 1,500 square meters
This was done to take advantage of the with an average area of 1,125 square meters.
strategic location of the rice fields in their The remaining 12.89% of the respondents
respective areas. They usually look for rice practiced a combination of confinement
fields outside their municipality and provinces system and free-range system. They usually
when they ran out of rice fields within their apply the confinement system during the
barangays. According to them, the free range brooding and laying period wherein
system incurs lesser costs compared to the commercial feeds were being fed to the ducks
confinement system. Meanwhile, 26.13% of while the free-range system was used during
the respondents practiced the poultry or the rearing or growing period. The duck

Table 5. Relationship between the Size of the Duck Farm and Farming Practices

Size of the Duck Farm Duck Farming Practices

(Number of heads) Combination Free Range Poultry/Confinement Grand Total
SMALL 8 110 11 129
MEDIUM 4 40 25 69
LARGE 26 25 46 97

Grand Total 38 175 82 295

-18
Note: Chi-square test = 5.02 x 10
Source: Field Survey (2017).
 An Analysis of Duck Egg Production in the Philippines 29

Table 6. Distribution of the Form of Stock Replacement per Region

Form of Stock Replacement

Region
DOD Hatching Eggs RTL RTL, DOD Grand Total
Cagayan Valley 70.00% 0.00% 30.00% 0.00% 100.00%

CALABARZON 20.00% 0.00% 80.00% 0.00% 100.00%

Central Luzon 26.36% 0.91% 68.18% 4.55% 100.00%

Davao 45.00% 15.00% 30.00% 10.00% 100.00%

Northern Mindanao 40.00% 0.00% 60.00% 0.00% 100.00%

SOCCKSARGEN 94.29% 0.00% 5.71% 0.00% 100.00%

Western Visayas 66.67% 20.00% 13.33% 0.00% 100.00%
Zamboanga Peninsula 73.33% 0.00% 26.67% 0.00% 100.00%

Grand Total 48.14% 3.39% 46.10% 2.37% 100.00%

Source: Field Survey (2017).

farming practice depends on different factors of day-old ducklings and ready-to-lay pullets
including the area of rice field in the area as (Fig. 2). The form of stock replacement
well as the number of duck heads. The larger preferred by the duck raisers depend on a
the size of the farm, the greater was the variety of factors such as the price of the input,
tendency to operate under a confined duck availability of inputs in the area and the
farming system. This was also supported by farming system utilized. Looking at a per
the chi-square test result relative to the size region basis, it can be observed that there is
of the farm and the farming system used. a clear distinction as to the preference on the
form of stock replacement. Based on the data,
3. Duck Egg Production Practices most of the duck raisers from CALABARZON,
Central Luzon and Northern Mindanao
The duck raisers usually bought their stock preferred the use of ready-to-lay pullets while
in the form of day-old ducklings, ready-to- lay duck raisers from Cagayan Valley, Davao,
pullets, hatching eggs or a combination of day- SOCCKSARGEN, Western Visayas and
old ducklings and ready-to-lay ducks. There Zamboanga Peninsula preferred the use of
were 142 duck raisers (48.14%) who day-old ducklings as a form of stock
preferred the use of day-old ducklings for replacement (Table 6).
stock replacement, 126 duck raisers (46.10%) The difference in preferences among
used ready-to-lay pullets, 10 respondents regions was also brought about by the
(3.39% or ~ 4%) preferred the use of hatching differences in the duck farming practices of
eggs for stock replacement, while 7 duck the raisers. Most of those raisers who utilized
farmers (2.37% or ~ 2%) used a combination poultry/confinement system were more
30 Journal of Asia Trade and Business Vol. 6, No. 2, December 2019

Table 7. Relationship between the Form of Stock Replacement and Duck Farming Practices

Duck Farming Practices

Form of Stock Replacement
Combination Free Range Poultry/ Confinement Grand Total

Day old 21 113 8 142

Hatching eggs 1 7 2 10

Ready to Lay 11 54 71 136

Ready to Lay, Duck Old 5 1 1 7

Grand Total 38 175 82 295

-19
Note: Chi-square test = 7.69 x 10
Source: Field Survey, 2017

inclined in using ready-to-lay pullets while while the price of ready-to-lay pullets aged 1-2
those raisers who practiced the free range years ranged from Php100.00 to Php140.00
farming system used either ready-to-lay ducks (USD 1.97 to USD 2.76) per head. Lastly,
or day-old ducklings (Table 7). hatching eggs cost around Php5.00 to
The price of the stock replacement depends Php10.00 per egg (or USD 0.10 to USD 0.20).
on the form as well as the age of the ducks. This is evident from Table 8.
Prices also vary from the different regions. Furthermore, the frequency of stock
Day-old ducklings per head cost Php25.00 to replacement as well as the quantity of stocks
Php35.00 (USD 0.49 to USD 0.69) in Cagayan varied according to the product form of the
Valley, Php30.00 (USD 0.59) in CALABARZON, input, the size of the farm and the location of
Php20.00 to Php35.00 (USD 0.39 to USD 0.69) the duck farm. In the case of day-old ducklings,
in Central Luzon, Php40.00 to Php50.00 (USD most of the duck raisers would replace their
0.79 to USD 0.98) in Davao Region, Php35.00 stock once every year. The quantity of stocks
to Php45.00 (USD 0.69 to USD 0.88) in replaced ranged from 400 units to 24,000
Northern Mindanao, Php33.00 to Php40.00 units and averaged around 2,271 units per
(USD 0.65 to USD 0.79) in SOCCKSARGEN, replacement. Meanwhile, most of the
Php25.00 to Php40.00 (USD 0.49 to USD 0.79) respondents who used ready-to-lay pullets as
in Western Visayas, and Php35.00 to Php50.00 their input for egg production replace their
(USD 0.69 to USD 0.98) in Zamboanga stock every year. The quantity ranged from
Peninsula. The variation of price for 550 units to 5,500 units and averaged at
ready-to-lay pullets from the different regions around 2,706 units per stock replacement.
is according to the age of the duck. The Table 9 summarized the frequency and
younger the duck, the higher was the price per requirement according to product form of
head. For ready-to-lay ducks aged 4-6 months, each of the duck egg producing regions in the
the price ranged from Php150.00 to country.
Php260.00 (USD 2.95 to USD 5.12) per head,
 An Analysis of Duck Egg Production in the Philippines 31

Table 8. Market Price of the Different Forms of Stock Replacement across the Regions

Price (Php)
REGION
Minimum Average Maximum
CAGAYAN VALLEY
Day-old 25.00 31.91 35.00
Ready-to Lay(5mos.-6mos.) 150.00 160.00 200.00
Ready-to-Lay(1year-2years) 120.00 137.50 145.00
Hatching Egg N/A N/A N/A
CALABARZON
Day-old 30.00 30.00 30.00
Ready-to Lay(4mos-5mos) 180.00 185.00 190.00
Ready-to-Lay(5.5mos-6mos) 230.00 240.00 250.00
Hatching Egg N/A N/A N/A
CENTRAL LUZON
Day-old 20.00 36.16 35.00
Ready-to Lay(5mos-6mos) 190.00 231.75 260.00
Ready-to Lay (1year-2years) 100.00 124.00 140.00
Hatching Egg 6.90 6.90 6.90
DAVAO REGION
Day-old 40.00 46.11 50.00
Ready-to Lay(4mos-5mos) 120.00 135.00 180.00
Hatching Egg 7.5 8.50 10.00
NORTHERN MINDANAO
Day-old 35.00 37.5 40.00
Ready-to Lay(4mos-5mos) 120.00 175.21 200.00
Hatching Egg N/A N/A N/A
SOCCKSARGEN
Day-old 33.00 37.19 40.00
Ready-to Lay 130.00 140.00 150.00
Hatching Egg N/A N/A N/A
WESTERN VISAYAS
Day-old 25.00 32.25 40.00
Ready-to Lay 100.00 125.00 150.00
Hatching Egg 5.00 5.00 6.00
ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA
Day-old 35.00 42.73 50.00
Ready-to Lay(4mos-5mos) 140.00 180.00 200.00
Hatching Egg N/A N/A N/A
Note: USD 1: Php 50.744.
Source: Field Survey (2017).
32 Journal of Asia Trade and Business Vol. 6, No. 2, December 2019

Table 9. Frequency and Quantity of Stock Replacement according to Product Form

Average
Frequency of Stock Average Quantity of
REGION Requirement per
Replacement Stocks
Year

CAGAYAN VALLEY
Day-Old Once a year 1,462 1,462
RTL* Once a year 1,778 1,778
CALABARZON
Day-Old Once a year 16,000.00 16,000.00
RTL Once a year 4,804 4,804
CENTRAL LUZON
Day-Old Once a year 2,271 2,271
RTL Twice a year 2,707 5,414
DAVAO
Day-Old Once a year 402 402
RTL Once a year 375 375
Hatching Eggs Twice a year 1000 2000
b
Day-Old Every two years 385 192
RTL Once a year 427 427
SOCCKSARGEN
Day-Old Every three years 368 123
RTL Every four years 500 125
WESTERN VISAYAS
Day-Old Once a year 200 200
RTL Once a year 200 200
Hatching Eggs Once a year 50 50
ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA
Day-Old Every two years 291 146
RTL Once a year 300 `00
Note: *Ready-to-Lay.
Source: Field Survey (2017).

The production cycle of the duck raisers period.

depends on the form of stock replacement that The brooding period took an average of 28
they were using (Table 10). For those raisers days or 4.06 weeks in the case of duck raisers
who used day-old ducklings, the stocks who used day-old ducklings for their stock.
underwent various phases: brooding, rearing, Specifically, under the confinement system
and laying periods. For ready-to-lay pullets, and free range system, the brooding period
the stocks directly went through the laying took 3.55 weeks and 4.17 weeks respectively,
 An Analysis of Duck Egg Production in the Philippines 33

Table 10. Relationship between the Form of Stock Replacement and Duration of the Production
Cycle

Form of Stock Replacement

Duration of the
Production Cycle Day-Old, Ready Hatching Ready- Grand
Day-Old
to Lay Eggs to-Lay Total

0-6 months 15 0 0 26 41

7-12 months 94 3 10 83 190

13-18 months 15 3 0 14 32

19-24 months 6 0 0 1 7

> 24 2 0 0 2 4

Indefinite 10 0 0 6 16

N/A 2 1 0 2 5

Grand Total 144 7 10 134 295

Note: Chi-square test = 0.0418.

Source: Field Survey (2017).

while the brooding period for the combination ducks were fed with commercial grower feeds
system lasted for an average of 3.63 weeks. mixed with snails. Meanwhile, the growing
During this period, ducklings were fed with period lasted for 17.60 weeks for those raisers
feeds. Daily consumption for 1,000 heads was who practiced a combination of the free range
about 3 bags of 50 kg booster feeds which was and confinement systems. Ducks were
priced at Php1,200.00 (USD 23.65) per bag on primarily fed with palay mixed with
the average. The estimated average mortality commercial grower feeds and snails. On the
rate during the brooding period was about average, the mortality rate during this stage
7%. After brooding, the ducklings advanced to averaged 5%. At an average age of 25 weeks
the growing or rearing period. For those or around 6-7 months, the ducks started to lay
raisers who practiced the free range system, eggs. Except for those who sold ready-to-lay
the growing/rearing period normally took pullets, a major source of income, the laying
17.48 weeks. The ducks were brought to rice period for those who used day-old ducklings
fields within the barangay or the municipality normally lasted for an average of 40.50 weeks.
to eat palay (unhusked rice) as feeds. The (Table 11). Meanwhile, for the raisers who
raisers believed that palay was more effective used ready-to-lay pullets as stock replacement,
and less costly than commercial feeds as a the laying period usually lasted for an average
preparation for the laying period. The ducks of 52.82 weeks. Mortality rate in this stage
were also fed snails. For those raisers who averaged at 5%, while mortality rate for the
practiced the confinement system, the growing brooding and growing phases averaged at 7%
period usually lasted for 16.25 weeks wherein and 5%, respectively (Table 12).
34 Journal of Asia Trade and Business Vol. 6, No. 2, December 2019

Table 11. Production Cycle Duration for the farms which used day-old ducklings as stock
replacement

Duration (weeks)
Farming Practice TOTAL
Brooding Growing Laying
Overall Average 4.06 17.48 31.44 52.98
Combination 3.86 17.20 45.16 66.22
Free Range 4.18 17.64 27.80 49.62
Poultry/Confinement 3.47 16.20 39.40 59.07
Source: Field Survey (2017).

Table 12. Average Age and Mortality Rate of Ducks at Every Stage of the Production Cycle

Stages in the Production Cycle

Parameters Brooding Growing Laying
Average Age (weeks) 0.19 4.26 24.85
Mortality Rate (%) 7.00 5.00 5.00
Source: Field Survey (2017).

Table 13. Productivity Measures of Duck Breeds in the Philippines

PARAMETERS Mean Minimum Maximum

AGE (in weeks)
First lay of egg 24.85 12 104
50% production 30.07 18 128
Peak production 35.14 24 128
PRODUCTIVITY (%)
Peak 76 70 98
Average 56 15 87
EGG WEIGHT (in 65 55 80
grams)
PRICE OF EGG (Php)
Small 4.75 4.00 6.50
Medium 6.58 4.00 8.00
Large 7.08 6.00 9.00
Reject 5.06 4.00 7.00
Note: Conversion from Philippine peso to U.S. dollar is Php50.744:$1.
Source: Field Survey (2017).

In terms of productivity, based on the 30 weeks. The average peak production

survey results, the average age of duck needed among the respondents was at 76% which
to attain a 50% level of egg productivity was could be obtained when the ducks reached an
 An Analysis of Duck Egg Production in the Philippines 35

Table 14. Problems Encountered by the Duck Raisers

Problems Encountered* Frequency Percentage (%)

Duck diseases 131 45.09
Feeds 20 6.78
Egg production
61 20.68

Price of inputs 76 25.76

Climate change 189 64.07
Egg quality
15 5.08

Source of ducks
27 9.15

Breeding and selection

52 17.63

Farm (Availability, accessibility,

21 7.12
water, chemicals, predators)
Natural calamities 48 16.27
Note: *multiple responses
Source: Field Survey (2017).

age of 35 weeks. Meanwhile, the average rate time but the prices of duck eggs remained
of egg production among the duck farmers consistent through time. In addition, due to
interviewed was around 56% (Table 13). land conversion initiatives, the area devoted
to rice fields was also decreasing. This greatly
4. Problems Encountered in Duck Egg affected the sources of feeds for the raisers
Production who practiced the free range system.
Moreover, egg quality became an important
Most of the duck raisers experienced concern as well. The size of the egg was
various problems in duck farming as well as affected by climate-related diseases. Other
in duck production. Since they were using a problems encountered by the duck farmers
combination of breeds that were not adaptive were connected to lack of capital, sources of
to the climate of the Philippines, the ducks duck replacement stock, farm infrastructure
were more exposed to climate-related and egg processing, among others (Table 14).
sickness and diseases. This further resulted to
decreased production and mortality among 5. Factors Affecting the Decision of
the stock. Furthermore, the farmers also Duck Raisers on the Choice of Stock
experienced problems with the cost and Replacement
sources of feeds for both the free-range and
confinement farming systems. The prices of The duck farmers were asked about the
commercial feeds were increasing through attributes of stock replacement that they
36 Journal of Asia Trade and Business Vol. 6, No. 2, December 2019

Table 14. Problems Encountered by the Duck Raisers

Slightly Moderately Very

Attributes Not Important Neutral
Important Important Important
Price 0.36% 0.00% 3.48% 3.48% 92.68%
Number of eggs Produced 0.00% 0.00% 5.57% 2.79% 91.64%
Quality of eggs Produced 0.00% 0.00% 6.97% 14.29% 78.74%
Quality of Stock 0.00% 0.00% 6.62% 0.00% 89.38%
47.04
Brooding Period 0.00% 0.70% % 3.14% 49.12%
42.51
Growing Period 0.00% 0.00% % 4.88% 52.61%
Laying Period 0.00% 0.34% 6.97% 5.23% 87.46%
10.45
Feed consumption 0.00% 0.00% %% 20.21% 69.34%

Source: Field Survey (2017).

found important in duck egg production. both attributes are important but majority
Among these factors were price, number of (57%) of the respondents preferred
eggs produced, quality of eggs produced, productivity over market price because
length of brooding period, growing period and according to them, additional cost of
laying period, mortality rate and feed purchasing stocks for production is acceptable
consumption. The attributes that were and justified as long as it can increase the
perceived to be very important by most of the number of eggs produced over its production
duck raisers across all regions include price, cycle. The reason behind this thinking is that
number of eggs produced, and longer laying the revenue is based from the number eggs
period. Majority of the respondents from produced by their stock.
CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Northern
Mindanao, and Zamboanga Peninsula were
neutral with regards to the length of brooding Ⅴ. Conclusion and
and growing period because most of them Recommendation
used ready-to-lay pullets as inputs; thus, their
stock did not go through the brooding and gr The decision factors among the duck raisers
owing periods (Table 15). in the top producing provinces in the
Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Philippines were consistent in terms of
Analysis, the attributes of duck production in prioritizing the quality over price. Based on
terms of productivity and market price were the survey, the duck raisers would be willing
analyzed to determine which among the two to pay a higher price in exchange for better
is more important in determining the stock productivity, higher yield and better quality
that they will purchase. Based on the results, eggs. Therefore, the BAI is on the right track
 An Analysis of Duck Egg Production in the Philippines 37

in focusing on specific traits in developing breeds in all areas in the country,specifically,

new breeds of duck. However, it is mentioned those in remote or isolated areas.
by the previous study and the duck raisers
surveyed that availability and awareness were Acknowledgment
still the major constraints in terms of their
relationship with the government, aside from The author wishes to thank the Department
developing better quality breeds. The of Science and Technology –Philippine
government must focus on awareness Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural
campaigns, knowledge-sharing as well as Resources Research and Development
ensuring the availability of newly-developed (DOST-PCAARRD) for funding this study.

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