Companions of the Hen. 97 



and one-third rolled oats. At the end of four days five per cent of sand, 

 not gravel, is added to the food, and each day following, until the end of 

 the first week, the food is gradually changed by substituting bran and 

 meal for egg and bread. After a week two parts of wheat bran, one of 

 cornmeal and 10 per cent of beef scrap are given, and the five per cent 

 sand is continued until the ducks are fattened. Salt is used for flavoring 

 at all times. About the time sand is given green food is begun. This 

 must be tender and succulent on the start, like clover, green rye or tender 

 grass cut fine. In Winter cabbage, turnips, beets, potatoes or any vege- 

 tables chopped into small pieces with a root cutter, or even nice clover 

 hay cut and cooked will do. The green stuff is mixed with the other fooQ 

 in a large box, and moistened, but not made sloppy. At seven weeks old 

 fattening commences, using two parts cornmeal to one of bran, and 1ft 

 per cent beef scrap, fed four times a day, all they will eat up clean. At 

 10 weeks they weigh not far from five pounds and are then marketed. 

 At that time the temporary plumage is perfected. If allowed to go longer 

 the pin feathers of the adult plumage begin to start, and it would 

 be six weeks before they would again be in condition. The ducks to be 

 fattened are not allowed to go into the water, as the exercise works off 

 their flesh. Those kept as breeders swim all they wish. Tfiey are selected 

 when five weeks old, and never fattened. Their feed is one-third each 

 of bran, vegetables and corn and oats, with a little animal feed in the 

 form of beef scrap, fish scrap and fresh fish. 



In marketing, the desired number are removed from the pen and 

 driven to another enclosure. There they find a bath with pure running 

 water. This being their first opportunity for bathing, they go at it at 

 once and soon come out clean and white. Then they go to the slaughter 

 house, where they are killed and picked in the usual way. 



Ducks cannot stand the sun, so their yard should be well shaded. Plum 

 trees make an excellent shade, and usually thrive in a poultry yard. An- 

 other essential is plenty of pure water for drinking, so arranged that they 

 cannot get into it. VVhere one has water under pressure small streams 

 may be piped into little troughs and kept running steadily. 



