DIVISION OF POULTRY 



967 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



This uiidoubtedly rendered results less profitable, as pure Pekins would have 

 averaged nearer 6 pounds or even more at 10 weeks. 



This hatch of ducklings, after having been fed the ration given below during the 

 first two weeks or critical period of raising, were forced along to marketable size and 

 fitness by heavier feeding, due probably to the exceptionally cold weather experienced 

 at the beginning of the hatching season, the strength of the germs seemed unusually 

 weak for ducklings, and the hatch correspondingly small, though the fertility was well 

 up t(i the average. 



Ration. — Fed fairly wet. Stale bread thoroughly soaked in skim-milk (sweet or 

 sour) and mixed with 2 parts bran 2 parts shorts 2 parts corn meal half part meat meal 

 or beefscrap and half part sand. After two weeks the bread was gradually decreased 

 and the corn meal increased. After the fourth week the bran and shorts were gradu- 

 ally decreased and the corn meal increased until by the eighth week the ration was 

 one part shorts, three parts corn meal, half part beefscrap and half part sand. 



It appeared, however, that this ration, one part shorts, three parts corn meal, half 

 part beefscrap, was a little too heavy for " finishing," as a few of the ducks appeared 

 to be " stalled " and off their feed. 



Probably better results would be secured by substituting at the eighth week the 

 following : Half part bran, half part shorts, two parts corn meal, half part beefscrap 

 and half part sand. 



Water was not kept constantly before them but it was liberally supplied at feed- 

 ing time, and in the early part of the season when the water was very cold the chill 

 was taken off. 



Through not applying this rule at the first few days' feeding, disaster resulted and 

 accounted for a heavy death rate during the first two weeks. 



Too much stress cannot be laid on the care for the first week, and due regard paid 

 to the water, particularly early in the spring when the water is very cold. 



In raising subsequent hatches of young ducklings of many varieties, not a single 

 death occurred, through close observance of this rule, and the ducks proved them- 

 selves to be the easiest handled and the hardiest of the fowl raised during the spring 

 and summer of the year. 



Tablk X<». 10. — Showing gain in weight of market ducks at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks. 



Set March 14, hatched April 10. 



Ottaw.\. 



