decoys; the White Call; the Black 

 East Indian the last three being 

 known as the "bantams of the Duck 

 family." 



We should here give brief attention 

 to at least two varieties the Pekin 

 and the Indian Runner, which are 

 now the favorites. 



The Pekin duck was first brought 

 here from China in 1873. Pekins are 

 a large, early maturing, pure white 

 .breed. They are much liked for "green 

 duck" farming, as they easily weigh 

 over five pounds in ten weeks. They 

 have proved themselves satisfactory 

 in every way and it is safe to say 

 that more Pekins are grown for mar- illustration NO. 20. Indian Runner Ducks, 



ket than all other breeds combined. They reach ten to twelve pounds at 

 maturity and are excellent layers. Large plants in the East market many 

 thousands annually. With Pekins there is an additional profit to consider 

 in the feathers, which are pure white and command nearly double price, 

 especially as they are elastic and largely mixed with down. 



The Indian Runner meets the demand for a small carcass and good 

 layers, especially winter laying, when most ducks shirk. Indian Runner 

 flocks have high egg averages, as much as 180 to 190 eggs per duck. No 

 wonder they are often compared to Leghorns as layers. The eggs of the 

 Indian Runner are about the same size as those of the larger breeds. 

 Ducks are hardy, but the Indian Runner is perhaps the hardiest of all. 

 They do well under any ordinary conditions and if given free range will 

 rustle a good share of their living. ^ They feather early and mature sooner 

 than the large varieties. They weigh about five and one-half pounds for 

 drakes, and ducks one pound lighter. There are three distinct varieties, 

 the Fawn-and- White, Brown-and- White and White. The first named is the 

 most beautiful, also the most popular, and with their erect perpendicular 

 carriage fairly represent the breed. Thejr have long, flat heads, light fawn in 

 color, with straight green bill; white neck, back fawn or gray, fawn color 

 breast, shanks and feet orange yellow. They are mighty good to look at and 

 just as good to eat. 



DUCK RAISING Start always with good breeds and fine, vigorous 

 specimens of your chosen breed. The breeding stock should be selected from 

 the early hatches, as ducks will lay about two months before the drakes 

 are fit to use for breeding. At the beginning of the breeding season mate the 

 drake with from five to eight ducks. Later in the season you can increase 

 this number to ten or twelve. During the breeding season water is an 

 advantage, but is not really necessary. In raising ducks for market it. is 

 an advantage to keep away from pools, etc., as the ducks will fatten more 

 quickly Young ducks can be fitted for market as "green ducks" in nine 

 to eleven weeks, weighing easily five to six pounds. You will read many 

 glowing accounts of ducks weighing up to nine pounds, but we make the 

 general estimate lower. 



You can easily tell the sex of the young by noting the long bill, neck 

 and body of the drake, and the more up'right carriage of the body. At two 

 months you can easily tell the duck by the coarse quack, whereas the drake 

 has a fine rasping note.^ As the drakes mature you will note the curled tail 

 feathers, which are easily distinguishable. 



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