382 THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



Aylesburys. The Aylesburys are a little larger than the Pekins which 

 they resemble in many ways. They are white skinned and quick maturing but 

 not quite so hardy as the Pekins. They appear to have practically all the qual- 

 ities which have made the Pekin so popular, and can be kept successfully on 

 either commercial or general farms. 



Color, Pure white. 



Muscovys. The Muscovys are the largest of the breeds but are not 

 generally considered as good for market purposes as the others, because of the 

 difference in size between the drake and the duck. They are easily distinguished 

 by the crest-like formation of feathers on the head of the duck which stands 

 up when the bird is alarmed and the large red face of both the drake and duck. 

 A peculiar thing about the Muscovys is that they do not quack like other ducks. 

 They are strong of wing and will fly all over the farm for exercise if the wings 

 are not clipped. They are not greatly esteemed as layers but sometimes a few 

 good layers are found. The meat is good when the birds are young, but as 

 they grow older, it becomes rather coarse and tough. Muscovys are the only 

 ducks of these practical breeds that prepare nests and deposit their eggs. All 

 others must be penned at night, or they will scatter them broadcast. They are 

 unusually good foragers, requiring very little care, and can be kept with a 

 fair degree of success by general farmers. 



Colon White variety; pure white; pale orange or yellow legs, flesh- 

 colored .beak. Colored variety: lustrous blue-black, broken with a little white 

 on body, breast and back; wing coverts lustrous blue-black, broken with white; 

 tail, black; bill, pink; legs, yellow or dark leaden. 



Rouens. The Rouens are decidedly beautiful and this accounts for 

 much of their popularity. They are not as desirable a market duck a-s the Ayles- 

 bury or Pekin. They are slower to mature than either; they have dark pin 

 feathers and are not as good layers. They are not adapted for commercial duck 

 farming, but they can be kept successfully by fanciers or on general farms. 



Color. Drake ; brown back, mixed with green ; green head and tail ; 

 neck has white ring around it ; breast claret ; wings have a wide purple bar with 

 narrow white bars on either side the purple. Duck; barred on wings like drake; 

 brown penciled plumage on body. 



Indian Runners. This breed is much smaller than breeds of the meat 

 type so fails as a market duck. Its stronghold is its laying qualities. A record 

 of 160 eggs a year is not at all remarkable for them. Their eggs are larger 

 than hen's eggs but smaller than those of other ducks. Indian Runners are non- 

 setters, hardy, good foragers and active, They can be told by their upright 

 carriage and instead of waddling as other ducks do they run rapidly. There 

 are three varieties the Fawn and White, the White and the Penciled. 



Housing. 



Houses similar to hen houses can be used for breeding ducks. A certain 

 size coop will be suitable to house many more ducks than chickens. For instance, 

 a flock of fifty ducks will thrive in an inclosure that would not do for half that 



