POULTRY FOR PROFIT 217 



and covered with a blanket so that they may cuddle 

 about it. After a week or so, depending on the 

 weather, the "jug mother" is dispensed with. 



There is no better "first feed" for ducklings than 

 dry bread moistened with fresh milk and squeezed 

 dry, with a small amount of clean sand added. 

 Bread crumbs and rolled oats mixed, half and half, 

 and moistened with milk, is also good. Some breed- 

 ers use a still more complex ration at first, adding 

 hard-boiled egg to the rolled oats and bread. What- 

 ever feed is used, clean, sharp sand should always 

 be part of it. 



Drinking water should be given warm the first 

 ten days. Use a fountain such as is used for chicks, 

 and remove after each meal, for the ducks should 

 not be allowed to play in it or to get themselves 

 wet. Drinking cold water or chilling the body by 

 wetting the down sometimes causes cramps and 

 brings the little life to a speedy end. 



If ducklings are to be brought to maturity with 

 the greatest possible speed their rations must be 

 carefully graduated, the mash being made richer 

 as fast as they can bear it. The following is Mr. 

 Rankin's method of feeding young Pekins: 



First four days: Four parts wheat bran; one 

 part cornmeal ; one part low grade flour ; 5 per cent 

 fine grit. Feed four times a day. 



Four days to four weeks : Four parts wheat bran 

 (by measure) ; one part cornmeal; one part low 

 grade flour; 3 per cent fine grit; 5 per cent fine 

 ground beef scrap (soaked first by scalding). Feed 

 four times a day. Finely cut green clover, rye or 

 cabbage fed freely. 



Four to six weeks: Three parts, by measure, 

 wheat bran ; one part cornmeal ; one part low grade 

 flour; 3 per cent fine grit; 5 per cent beef scrap; 



