UNIVERSITY 



DUCKS-THEIR VARIETIES AND MANAGEMENT 



CAN THET BE KEPT WITH PEOFIT ? 



ANY calculation as to the return to be expected by those who keep ducks, 

 says an experienced breeder, depends entirely on the possession of a suitable 

 locality. They are most likely to be kept with profit when access is allowed 

 them to an adjoining marsh, where they are able in a great measure to pro- 

 vide for themselves ; for if wholly dependent on the breeder for their living 

 they have such ravenous, insatiable appetites that they would soon, to use an 

 emphatic phrase, " eat their heads off." No description of poultry, in fact, 

 will devour so much or feed so greedy. But certain moderate limits are 

 necessary for their excursions, for otherwise they will gradually learn to ab- 

 sent themselves altogether, and acquire semi-wild habits, so that when they 

 are required to be put up for feeding or immediate sale, they are found want- 

 ing. Ducks, too early allowed their liberty on large pieces of water, are ex- 

 posed to so many enemies, both by land and water, that few reach maturity ; 

 and even if some are thus fortunate, they are ever after indisposed to return 

 to the discipline and regular habits of the farm-yard. They may be kept in 

 health in small enclosures, by a good system of management, though we fear 

 not with profit, which is the point to which all our advice must tend. There 

 is no doubt that 



DUCKS MAY BE MADE PROFITABLE AS EGG-PEODUCEKS, 



but the quality of their eggs and the extra labor required to obtain them 

 for unless they are got up every night and confined, they will drop their eggs 

 carelessly here and there, where they will not be found will not allow them 

 to compete with the hen in that capacity. Besides, a duck lays when eggs 

 are most abundant, while hens' eggs may be procured -at all seasons. The 

 following remarks on rearing and feeding the young are from the pen of the 

 late C. 1ST. BEMENT : " The 



BEST MODE OF EEAEING DUCKLINGS 



depends very much on the situation in which they are hatched. On hatching 

 there is no necessity of taking away any of the brood, unless some accident 

 should happen ; and having hatched, let the duck retain her young upon the 



