228 LIVESTOCK ON THE FARM 



have been established where thousands of ducklings are reared 

 for the market every year. These are hatched and reared 

 artificially and are usually killed and dressed at twelve weeks of 

 age. 



Among the many popular varieties of ducks are the Pekin, 

 the Aylesby, the Raven, the Cayuga, the Indian Runner, and 

 the Muscovy. 



Feeding Breeding Ducks. Breeding ducks are usually fed 

 on ground grains and mill feeds mixed with water or milk. 

 Some duck raisers boil vegetables and other food for them but 



FIG. 60. Pekin ducks. 



this is unnecessary as they do just as well on raw foods. \V hole 

 grain is often fed and ducks appear to thrive on it but they do 

 much better and it is more economical if fed ground. They 

 require plenty of green food every day as well as grit, oyster 

 shell and plenty of water for swimming and drinking. 



Feeding Ducklings. Ducklings should be fed entirely on 

 soft food and like other young stock should not be fed before 

 they are at least twenty-four hours old. The first few rations 

 should consist of bread moistened with milk or water or hard- 

 boiled egg mixed with four times its weight of dry bread. 

 After this a good poultry mash fed three or four times a day 

 should be given. It is important to keep drinking water 

 close by at feeding time as they require plenty of it along with 



