274 



THE AMERICAN POULTERER'S COMPANION. 



A singular trait of character in this variety 

 is, that the duck closely approximates in size to 

 the drake, and not unfrequently is the most 

 weighty of the two ; while in most other kinds, 

 the disparity of size is glaringly obvious, and 

 tells much against the value for consumption. 

 One of the most general objections t ducks is 

 their sad propensity to stray away and get lost, 

 more especially if in the neighborhood of large 

 rivers or other running streams ; and it is, there- 

 fore, by no means unusual for parties, when this 

 occurred frequently, to give up all desire for this 

 really profitable kind of stock, in a spirit of utter 

 hopelessness and despair. To those persons the 

 Rouens will prove themselves a treasure, for 

 they are the most determined "stay-at-home", 

 birds possible. They never ramble^ at all ex- 

 cept near home, but appear dull and lethargic, 

 which accounts for the little difficulty and ex- 

 pense in feeding ; they eat no more than others, 

 and attain their very superior size and weight 

 in an equally short period of time. 



When it is considered how great pecuniary 

 benefit may be obtained, by the keeping of a few 

 ducks, to the general farmer, it will be readily 

 admitted that, to the humble cottager, the boon 

 will be still more highly valuable, as ducks 

 speedily arrive at a condition for market, and 

 when there offered, generally command the 

 quickest and most universal sale of any other 

 poultry whatever; they are reared more read- 

 ily, and will eat food of almost any kind. It 

 should always, however, be kept in remem- 

 brance, that the quality of the flesh is highly 

 dependent on the nature of their food ; there- 

 fore a proper care on this point is essentially 

 necessary. I feel certain that if a common de- 

 gree of care, attention, and regularity of feed- 

 ing are adopted with ducks, they will remuner- 

 ate the owner as well as any poultry he may 

 bring before the public. 



The Rouen ducks are generally larger than 

 the Aylesbury, and heavier. The plumage of 

 this bird much resembles the >vild duck ; the 

 drake's especially is magnificent, its head and 

 neck being a rich, lustrous green, with a white 

 ring at the base of the neck, breast a reddish 

 Urown, the remainder of the body and wings 

 partaking very greatly of the colors of the wild 



Mallard. The duck is a brown bird, the feath- 

 ers being all marked with black ; she has, at a 

 very early age, a great development of he) 1 

 " stomach pouch," which frequently hangs so 

 low as to impede the action of the bird ; from 

 this and other causes, the Rouen is a less act- 

 ive variety than the Aylesbury, and for the same 

 cause does not make a good sitter, being too 

 heavy for the young birds when hatching. The 

 eggs laid by these birds generally exceed in 

 number those laid by the Aylesbury ; indeed, the 

 duck is almost a continuous layer; but not 

 making a good mother for the cause above stat- 

 ed, her eggs should be placed under a hen. 



The demand for ducks being very much 

 smaller than for fowls, one drake and three or 

 four ducks will be sufficient for most farmers. 

 The Rouen will do better without water than 

 the Aylesbury; but a pond deep enough for 

 them to swim in, is so essential for both ducks 

 and geese that no farmer should attempt keep- 

 ing them without it. 



The young ducks are reared, provided they 

 are not allowed to get into any water for some 

 time after they are hatched ; and although this 

 time may not be accurately defined, if six weeks 

 are allowed to elapse, the birds will be found to 

 have gained most considerably in weight and size 

 over those which have frequented a pond, as the 

 time employed in swimming is then occupied 

 in sitting still and getting fat. All ducks are 

 great eaters, and most industrious little bodies 

 in procuring their food from water-courses, al- 

 ways thirsty, as one would suppose, from the 

 greediness with which they sputter. Notwith- 

 standing, the young will certainly repay the co^t 

 by their rapid growth. 



THE AYLESBURY DUCK. 



Of white ducks the best are the Aylesbury. 

 with its unspotted snowy- white plumage, and 

 yellow legs and feet. It is large and excellent 

 for the table, but not larger or better than sev- 

 eral others. They are assiduous mothers and 

 nurses, especially after the experience of two or 

 three years. A much smaller race of white 

 ducks is imported from Holland ; their chief 

 merit, indicated by the title of Call Duck, con- 

 sists in their incessant loquacity. The white 



