THE PROFITABLE DUCK. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



JAMES RANKIN. 



THERE is a great difference in the care and food re- 

 quired for growing ducks and chicks, although intel- 

 ligent attention and the observance of a few simple 

 rules will insure success with both. In raising ducks 

 it is not, as most people suppose, necessary that the birds 

 should have water to disport in. Indeed, access to a pond or 

 brook will seriously retard both their growth and fattening. 

 The very best possible place for rearing and fattening ducks is 

 a dry, shady yard where they should have a plentiful supply 

 of water to drink, but for no other purpose. After they are 

 48 hours old, the little ones are hardier than chicks, but re- 

 quire just as much care, though of a different kind. 



I am in constant receipt of letters from all parts of the 

 country, complaining of the great mortality among ducklings, 

 yet, by observing a few simple rules the trouble could have 

 been easily avoided. It is needless to say that the eggs should 

 be carefully attended to during incubation to insure a good 

 hatch of strong, healthy ducklings ; for a small hatch of feeble, 

 weakly birds never can be matured and fattened in good shape, 

 for there will be a great mortality among the little ducklings 

 in spite of the most generous care. The conditions must be 

 right from the start. We usually remove to the brooder the 

 strongest and those first hatched, leaving the younger ones in 

 the machine twelve hours longer. Care should be taken not 

 to overheat the brooder, as the animal heat in the little birds 

 will always increase the temperature in the brooders a few de- 



