240 PO UL TR T- CRAFT. 



Selecting Breeding Stock. 



In mating ducks to produce high class stock, standard specimens of both 

 sexes are in every variety used to produce exhibition specimens of both sexes ; 

 there are no double matings. 



In mating ducks to produce market stock, deep keeled, meaty specimens, 

 strong (not coarse) in bone, should be selected. They should have been 

 hatched in April, May or June.* If rapid growth is desired in the offspring, 

 it is advisable that the breeding birds selected should be known to have made 

 quick growth ; but table quality ought not to be sacrificed to quick growth, 

 for the worst fault of ducks generally is that they carry too little meat for 

 their weight. 



If very early ducklings are wanted, young ducks must be kept to lay the 

 eggs from which to hatch them. The young ducks lay a month or more 

 earlier than the yearlings and two year olds. The older birds throw better 

 ducklings. Most large operators have breeding birds of different ages, 

 depend on the younger birds for early eggs, and use only eggs from older 

 stock for hatching ducklings for breeding stock. 



Number of females to a male. The usual rule is Jive until June, after 

 that ten. The birds are kept in flocks of twenty-five to forty of both sexes. 

 Some breeders who have good water range, say that with it they can run one 

 drake to seven, nine, or even twelve ducks throughout the season. 



The breeding season covers as much of the laying season as the grower 

 wishes. Some breeders hatch nearly every egg laid, continuing operations 

 until late in summer ; some hatch only for the period of good prices. The 

 pens should be mated up early. If forced for eggs, some ducks begin laying 

 about January ist, (a few, perhaps, earlier) ; many will be quite a month 

 later. Under ordinary conditions, the ducks in flocks not managed for eggs 

 rarely begin laying before March. The laying season lasts until June, July, 

 or August, varying for individual ducks, and depending much on the care 

 and general condition of the flock. As to the average number of eggs laid, 

 there are wide differences of opinion. Estimates placing the average at 160, 

 150, 140, have been given, but one well informed duck grower thinks the 

 average for large flocks nearer to 100 than to any of those figures; and 

 another states that in his own flocks the yearly product per duck varies from 

 100 to 135. 



CARE OF BREEDING STOCK. 



359. About Water Range. Though some of the largest growers give 

 their breeding ducks no water except for drinking, there are few who do not 

 think access to a pond or stream of water, or a range on marshy ground a 



*NOTK. Some breeders use only April or May hatched birds; some say the June 

 birds are just as good ; all agree that very early and very late hatched ducks are not 

 desirable as breeders. 



