Although the searing hot and dry climate fuelled by the El Nino phenomenon has affected the nation's agriculture and fisheries sectors, it has not ruffled the feathers of Muscovy duck (itik serati) breeders here.
Surprisingly, the breeders have ducked the onslaught of the climate condition as the El Nino appears to have instead, boosted duck breeding, making them even more productive.
Muscovy duck breeder Faizal Effendi Hashim, 36, is testament to this.
He has been rearing and breeding the ducks for meat production in Parit, since two years ago.
"Usually, a duck is capable of laying up to 20 eggs and from that amount, only 10 will make it.
"However, in this hot climate, from the 20 eggs laid, as many as 19 would hatch, survive and thrive," Faizal Effendi told Bernama recently.
He said that each week, he was able to sell up to 120 ducks but that was still insufficient to meet market demands in Perak.
"The demand for duck (bred for meat) is rather high in Johor and Singapore, especially among Chinese customers who prefer it due to the texture of the meat," he said.
He said these Muscovy ducks required six months to fully grow before being sold in the market, whereas chicken required 34 to 40 days.
However, such is not the case for chicken farmer, Hafizi Abdullah, 28, who claimed that the mortality rate of his livestock had increased, even with the use of a closed chicken coop system.
He said as much as eight per cent of 40,000 of his chicken livestock died due to the hot weather as compared to only two or three per cent during normal weather.
He said day-old chicks needed temperatures of up to 35 degrees Celsius and it would lessen according to its age. Meanwhile, adult chicken require a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius or lower.
"Although the temperature of the closed chicken coop can be controlled, the much needed cold temperature that is unattainable is between the peak hours of between noon and 4pm, until it causes the chicken to die due to the heat wave," he added.
Hafizi said apart from the increase in rearing costs, other operational costs such as electricity, water, including maintenance had soared during the current draught season.
"The utility bills can reach up to RM11,000 for every two months, and this does not include maintenance costs and the worker's salary."
Last April 21, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the hot weather had caused the nation's chicken to face stress as their growth was hampered, and it was feared it would also cause the nation's production of chicken to drop by between five and 10 per cent.
Bernama
Wed May 04 2016
Although the searing hot and dry climate fuelled by the El Nino phenomenon has affected the nation's agriculture and fisheries sectors, it has not ruffled the feathers of Muscovy duck (itik serati) breeders.
ANALYSIS - What could happen if Trump rejects the US election results
If Trump seems to be losing, the delay could let him claim fraud and undermine confidence in election officials.
Motorcycling - Marquez wins Australian MotoGP after intense battle with Martin
The 31-year-old, third in the championship standings, has now won the Australian MotoGP four times in the premier class.
Prabowo takes up Indonesian presidency, vows to tackle corruption, other issues
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto on Sunday took over as president of the world's third-largest democracy, vowing to combat internal issues
Nepal's Sherpas deserve more, says teenager who scaled world's 14 tallest peaks
Sherpas are known for climbing skills that make them the backbone of mountain expeditions.
Inside the underground lab in China tasked with solving a physics mystery
China will soon collect neutrino data, aiming to unravel one of particle physics' biggest mysteries.
Millions in Cuba still without power as major outage persists
Millions of Cubans remain without electricity because of a prolonged outage at the main power plants on the island, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surge in Gaza violence increases famine risk, monitor says
About 1.84 million people across the besieged Palestinian enclave are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Father of Malaysian Islamic banking, Abdul Halim Ismail passes away
His dedication and pioneering spirit played an important role in shaping the journey of Bank Islam as well as leaving a lasting impact on the development of Malaysia's Islamic finance industry.
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.