262 FAVORITE BREEDS OF DUCKS 



Don't bother the eggs while they are hatching, unless it 

 it is absolutely necessary, because it lowers the tempera- 

 ture every time the inner door is moved. Of course, in 

 the mild weather it is safe enough, but even then the door 

 should be kept closed as much as possible. If the little 

 ducks do not come out shortly after they pip the shells, do 

 not become alarmed. They do not come out as soon as 

 chicks, as they require more time after breaking the shell. 

 In this respect they are more like goslings. 



Sometimes they will break the shells twenty- four hours 

 before they are ready to come out. But they seldom need 

 any help. A duck egg presents a queer appearance at a 

 certain stage of incubation, for when held before a 

 bright light the shells appear to be nearly half empty. 



Don't throw the eggs away. They may all contain live 

 ducklings. When the fowls hatch, they should not be 

 taken from the incubator until they are thoroughly dried 

 off and able to hold up their heads. Then they should be 

 placed in a brooder or some place where they will be 

 comfortable. If placed in a brooder, see that they have 

 fresh air. Fresh air, however, is not essentially cold air. 



Have the brooder floor covered with some clean litter. 

 Cut straw or hay is best. Don't use sawdust ; the young 

 ducks will sometimes eat it. However, it is not necessary 

 to keep ducklings in a brooder except at night, after they 

 get a start. Even while they are very small, they seem to 

 prefer sunshine in the daytime to the brooder heat. The 

 Pekin ducklings soon outgrow the brooder. A number of 

 duck houses should be provided, with dry floors and good 

 ventilation. 



Green food is essential from the start. If there is 

 plenty of grass in the yard, that will do, although they like 

 it best when added to their grain food. Use green clover, 

 green rye, cabbage, dandelions, onion tops, etc. Green 

 oats are also good for this purpose. All should be cut 

 small enough for growing ducks to eat with ease. 



