WILD DUCKS 161 



hen in a bottomless coop with a small yard, preferably on 

 turf, which should be shifted to a fresh spot frequently, say 

 every other day. After they are a week old they should 

 have a pen at least about 8 feet square, better larger, and 

 the ground should be changed about once a week. If there 

 are only a few broods, this can be continued for each until 

 they are old enough to take to the water. 



Larger Scale. Another plan, when rearing is on a con- 

 siderable scale, is to have a rearing-field somewhat on the 

 pheasant plan. The coops are placed about 40 feet apart, 

 the hens kept shut in, with frequent change of ground for 

 the coop, and the young allowed to range about in the field. 

 It is well to group the coops to have young of the same size 

 together. Though hens may occasionally peck at ducklings 

 different from their own, they are not so bad as ducks in this 

 respect. This field arrangement is excellent for the duck- 

 lings, as it keeps the ground fresh and gives them exercise. 



The following method for young mallards is used by Adam 

 Scott: Hens and ducklings, six broods, are placed in an 

 enclosure about 50 by 75 feet in size, using i-inch mesh wire, 

 2 feet high, this, of course being simply a section inside a 

 high fence. The coops are 3 by 6 feet, without bottoms, but 

 false bottoms are used for the first few days, to prevent the 

 ducklings getting stepped on in hollows. There is a sliding 

 slat front for use during the day, and there are ventilating 

 openings near the top. In quarters of this size no change 

 of location is necessary. In 19 13 by this system i ,500 young 

 mallards were raised on two acres of land. New ground is 

 used each year. The ground used for rearing is thoroughly 

 limed, ploughed, and seeded down in the fall. At the end 

 of the third week Mr. Scott removes all the hens, leaving the 

 ducklings to run together. They have no water standing, 

 but only what is given them in troughs three times a day. 



