388 



THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



one part each of corn meal and low grade wheat flour, 5 percent of beef scrap, 

 and 10 percent of green feed, with about 3 percent of sand or other grit in each 



ration. 



After the 7th day, feed the ducklings four times daily until they are about 

 2 or 3 weeks old, then drop down to three times daily. The grit or sand may 

 be fed either in a hopper or in the mash after the young birds are a week old, 

 but it is usually fed in all duck rations. As a rule, beef scrap is not fed until 

 the ducklings are a week old, then 5 percent is given in the ration. This is 

 increased gradually so that at the end of the 3rd week it is 15 percent. If the 

 ducks are to be marketed, the proportion of corn meal should be gradually 

 increased and the proportion of bran gradually decreased until the rations is the 

 same as the fattening ration given below. Those saved for breeding purposes 

 should be given the above ration with the increased 15 percent of beef scrap, 

 but should not be fed a fattening ration . They should have a good range where 

 they can have plenty of grass and water, running water if possible. If the 

 ducklings are confined in yards a great deal of vegetables and green feed should 

 be given. 



Fattening Ration. Fatten the ducks to be marketed for two weeks on 

 the following ration : two parts by weight of low grade flour of middlings, three 

 parts of corn meal, one part of bran, one-half part of beef scrap, with 10 per- 

 cent green feed and 3 percent grit. This mash is fed three times daily. 



Another good mixture is : 3 parts corn meal, one part each of bran and low 

 grade wheat flour, 3 percent oyster shell, 5 percent beef scrap, with grit and 

 green feed added. 



Green feed tends to produce a flabby, rather than firm flesh, and to color 

 the meat, so it may be well to leave it out the last week of fattening. Never- 

 theless one can 'keep the birds in better feeding condition with the green feed 

 in the ration. 



Boiled fish may be substituted in place of beef scrap. This should not be 

 fed, however, within 12 days before the birds are to be marketed, because it 

 tends to give the meat a fishy taste. 



Another good system for feeding ducklings is as follows : When two weeks 

 old feed a mixture of equal parts shorts, bran and corn meal. Mix these together 

 and moisten with new milk. Gradually decrease this and add middlings. At 

 two weeks begin to add meat scraps. Gradually increase this until at the end 

 of 7 weeks it comprises about l /% of the feed. Have 10 percent of sharp sand 

 or grit in each feed. (A duck has no crop, the food going directly to the giz- 

 zard ; they must have grit to help grind it.) Feed the birds all they can eat 

 three times daily. Have plenty of water before them. Recommended by E. 

 Albertson, Seattle, Wash. 



The first few days feed one part meal, two parts bran, one-half part sharp 

 sand. Mix with raw eggs taken from the incubator 3 eggs to a quart of feed. 

 Keep this mixture before the ducklings the first four days. Give them plenty 

 of water. On the fifth day begin feeding the mixture four times daily, adding 

 a little No. 2 flour and beef scrap. Gradually decrease the amount of eggs and 

 increase the amount of beef scrap. Beginning the 4th week feed the following 



