Abstract

Duck farming has become a profitable venture in Bangladesh due to its economic potential and adaptability. This study aimed to assess the current state of native duck health, disease prevalence, and biosecurity management in selected regions of Bangladesh. Data were collected from 180 duck-rearing farmers from six upazilas of the Coastal and Haor regions using a standard questionnaire. The study investigated vaccination practices, disease prevalence, biosecurity management, and available treatment facilities. Approximately 60% of farmers in the Haor regions and 40 % in the Coastal regions reported vaccinating their ducks, while 56.67% in Haor and 34.44% in Coastal regions practiced deworming. Duck plague was the most prevalent disease in duck farms, with 83.33% and 90.00% prevalence rates in the Haor and Coastal areas, respectively. In the Haor region, 81.11% of farms reported disease incidence among growing ducks. Disease outbreaks (Duck plague and Cholera) were highest during the monsoon season at 77.78% of farms in Haor areas. In the Coastal region, 63.33% of farmers reported a higher duckling mortality rate. The frequent contact between ducks and wild birds was more common in Haor areas, as indicated by 32.22% of farmers. Disease outbreaks were identified as the major constraint to duck farming, and affordable feed price was the most pressing concern in both study areas. Despite these challenges, improvements in disease management, vaccination coverage, and biosecurity measures, alongside efforts to reduce feed costs, could significantly enhance the sector’s growth. It can be concluded that duck farming holds considerable potential and promising opportunities in the Haor and Coastal regions of Bangladesh.