Poultry on an ordinary Farm. 529 



larger in size. Both kinds are equally good, and gain great 

 weight if properly bred and fed, and well supplied with water ; 

 they will weigh 16 or 17 lbs, per couple at 8 months old. In 

 breeding for the market, ducks are best hatched under a common 

 hen, and kept off the pond, they thrive better without access 

 thereto, and are fit for the table at 8 weeks old ; but those 

 intended for store should have plenty of water, and be provided 

 with a house, furnished occasionally with straw, and nests pre- 

 pared, and if regularly fed they will become attached to their 

 abode ; otherwise they are apt to ramble, especially if there is 

 a brook near, in which case many eggs are lost. They com- 

 mence to lay early in the spring if well fed, and, if not allowed 

 to sit, continue to lay until autumn. It is very desirable to have 

 a good supply of early and late broods, which always fetch a 

 high price. There is very little trouble in rearing ducks, 

 whether the eggs are set under the common hen as before men- 

 tioned, or under the duck ; the time of incubation is one month. 

 Let the ducklings when hatched have a good nesting for about 

 twenty-four hours, afterwards clip off the down at the tail to 

 prevent their being drabbled, then place them with the mother 

 in a coop, and feed with coarse barley-meal, to which water is 

 added, making the food quite sloppy ; afterwards give Indian 

 meal and bran mixed up with buttermilk, so as to form a proper 

 consistency, occasionally adding a few boiled potatoes by way of 

 a change ; and, as I have before stated, they will be ready for 

 the market in 8 weeks, which is the chief end to aim at, and get 

 them into money as soon as possible. Early ducklings are 

 generally sent to the market in the feathers, but if kept over 

 2 months old, it is better to dress them, on account of the feathers, 

 which are nearly, if not quite as valuable as those of the goose ; 

 and the duck, when dressed, is more convenient to the buyer, 

 consequently, will command a better price. 



In a work of this kind it would be quite useless to enter into a 

 description of the many existing varieties of fancy ducks, which 

 are of no value to the generality of farmers, or where mixed 

 poultry is kept, on account of the additional convenience, care, 

 and attention required. 



Guinea Fowls 



Are a useful and handsome bird, and are in season during the 

 months of February, March, and April ; they lay a great quan- 

 tity of eggs during the summer, but, being of a wild nature, 

 they generally lay astray, consequently their eggs are sometimes 

 lost. Their flesh is of very gamelike flavour, and, coming in 

 after the game-season, they are useful for the table ; their eggs 



