POULTRY KEEPING 603 



fine grit of some kind and a very little granulated meat scrap. Some 

 of the commercial brands of poultry food are also good. They should 

 have clean water convenient where they can help themselves at will. 



Advantage of the Early Market. Keep them growing from 

 start to finish, and have them ready for the Thanksgiving market, 

 when prices are usually the best. This may be accomplished quite 

 easily with all the early broods, provided they are properly and 

 liberally fed as the fall weather begins to remove their natural food 

 supply of worms, bugs, seeds, and herbs of all kinds. 



What and When to Feed. As a general rule do not feed them 

 wet food or slops. Poults are seed-eating chicks, not slop eaters. 

 Old corn is better than new for heavy feeding, as the latter is apt to 

 cause looseness of the bowels. If necessary to use new corn, it should 

 be introduced into the ration gradually. If the poults have gained 

 a strong, well developed physique by early fall, they will be in fine 

 condition for heavy feeding. As soon as they have become accus- 

 tomed to grain feeding, they may be fed once or even twice a day on 

 ground oats and corn meal mixed with milk. 



Dry-picking. Dry-picking is always to be preferred when pre- 

 paring the fowls for market. When in fine condition, nicely picked, 

 and sent to market without having been packed in ice, a turkey is at 

 its best, and consequently commands the highest price. As soon as 

 the fowl is stuck' and the blood is still flowing, pluck the feathers 

 dry from its body, taking care in doing this not to break the skin or 

 tear the flesh. Nothing detracts so much from dressed poultry as torn 

 places upon the carcass or shank ; picking must be clean and nicely 

 done. (Dep. Agr. F. B. 200; Washington B. 96; R. I. B. 123.) 



DUCKS. 



Standard Varieties of Ducks. There are twelve standard varie- 

 ties of ducks raised in this country, as follows: The White Pekin, 

 White Aylesbury, Colored Rouen, Black Cayuga, Colored Muscovy, 

 White Muscovy, Indian Runner, Gray Call, White Call, Black East 

 India, Crested White, and Blue Swedish. Of these varieties, the first 

 seven are considered profitable to raise. 



White Pekin Ducks. Of all ducks for farm and practical pur- 

 poses none stands higher in popular esteem than the White Pekin. 

 It is valuable for raising on a large scale and is the most easily raised 

 of all. It is a very timid bird and must be handled quite carefully. 

 It was imported from China in the early seventies, and has steadily 

 grown in popularity since its introduction into this country. 



Description. The Pekin duck has a distinct type of its own and 

 differs from all others in the shape and carriage of its body. By some 

 it is credited with having a shape much like an Indian canoe, owing 

 to the full growth of feathers under the rump and the singular 

 turned-tip carriage of the tail. The legs are set far back, which causes 

 the bird to walk in an upright position. In size these ducks are very- 

 large, some reaching as high as 20 pounds to the pair. Their flesh 

 is very delicate and free from grossness, and they are considered 

 among the best of table fowls. They are excellent layers, averaging 

 from 100 to 150 eggs each in a season. They are nonsitters, hardy, 



