A LIVING FROM THE LAND 



farms which sell hundreds of thousands of birds 

 annually. The selection of breed types, proper 

 feeding and management and skillful marketing 

 have made it possible to attract a wide public 

 interest and an appetite for these fowls on a 

 permanent basis. 



The best known varieties of ducks are the 

 Indian Runner, a small type and primarily an 

 egg producer; the Muscovy and the Pekin, both 

 of which are used for meat purposes, the former 

 being best adapted to general farm use and the 

 latter to intensive breeding on large establish- 

 ments devoted solely to the purpose of duck 

 raising. The old simile, "Like a duck takes 

 to water," implies the fondness of ducks for the 

 aquatic element. However, ducks will do well 

 without swimming facilities. 



Incubation of duck eggs can be carried on in 

 the same manner as chicken eggs, except that 

 more moisture is essential to good hatches. The 

 period of incubation is 28 days for all types, 

 except for the Muscovy, for which it is 33 to 35 

 days. The growing birds, like mature ducks, are 

 hardy and ordinarily show a much lower mor- 

 tality percentage than chickens. If only a few 

 ducks are kept, they will follow the habits of a 

 flock of chickens and need be given no special 

 attention. When they are raised without other 

 poultry an open shed is all that is necessary for 



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