FEEDING RATIONS FOR DUCKLINGS. 



31 



for ducklings, I would throw in ;i heaping handful of fine grit or coarse sand. Mixing lesser 

 amounts would use grit in proportion. Some duck growers use grit in food regularly for both 

 young and old ducks; others only put itln the food for the young ducks for two or three days. 

 I have never discovered any advantage in continuing to mix sand or grit with the mash after 

 tlie first few d;iys, unless symptoms of indigestion appeared, when the use of these aids to 

 digestion for a few times seemed decidedly beneficial. Grit should be accessible to the duck- 

 ings at all times that they may take it if they need it. 



As for chickens, there are many good food combinations for ducks; perhaps not so great a 

 variety, for they are fed practically all soft food. Herewith are given the rations used and 

 recommended by a number-: 



Ration VI. " Two parts wheat bran, one part meal, with a handful of fine gravel or sand 

 thrown in, mixed with either hot or cold water, or with skim milk, to a crumbly 

 consistency. I frequently break raw eggs into the grain in the proportion of 

 two eggs to one quart of the dry grain. This must be thoroughly mixed that 

 it may not be pasty or sticky. After the first three days omit the sand or 

 gravel, and by the fifth day begin to feed a slight proportion of beef scrap, 

 increasing gradually until at two weeks of age they are getting five per 

 cent beef scrap. Gradually increase the animal matter until at five weeks of 

 age the ducks are getting fifteen per cent of it, which proportion may be con- 

 tinued until killing time." POLLARD. 



Ration VII. " Equal parts corn meal, bran, flour, ground graham bread, and rolled oats, five 

 per cent beef scrap, a little oyster shells and grit, and a little finely cut green 

 rye. Moisten with cold water. The ingredients are first mixed dry, then 

 water thrown on and mixing continued until the food is of the proper consis- 

 tency. Feed this five times daily until the ducklings are three weeks old. 



"After three weeks feed two parts corn meal, one part bran, one part 



middlings, ten per cent of this amount beef scrap, a little oyster shell, and 



finely cut green stuff. This is fed until the ducks are six to seven weeks old, 



when they are put on a 'fattening ration' composed largely of corn meal, 



just flour enough being added to hold it together when wet; the proportion of 



beef scrap being still about ten per cent." WEBER BROS. 



Ration VIII. u First week equal parts of corn meal, middlings, crackers, or stale bread, 

 and green stuff; mix in a small handful of sand to each quart of food. Give 

 occasionally bread soaked with milk for a change. 



u Second week four parts corn meal, two parts wheat bran, two parts 

 middlings, one part beef scrap, sand; mix with about one-third the quantity 

 of green stuff. At about six weeks put ducks in fattening pens and feed two- 

 thirds meal, the remainder about equal parts of bran, middlings, and greens; 

 add about twelve per cent of the whole beef scraps." HALLOCK. 



Ration IX. " First four days four parts wheat bran, one part corn meal, one part low 

 grade flour, five per cent fine grit. Feed four times a day what they will eat up 

 clean. 



u From four days to three weeks three parts wheat bran, one part corn 

 meal, one par low grade flour, three per cent fine grit, five per cent fine beef 

 scrap, soaked. Finely cut green clover, rye, or cabbage. Feed four times a 

 day. 



" From three to six weeks old equal parts corn meal, wheat hran, and 

 low grade flour, ten per cent beef scrap, three per cent grit. Feed three times 

 a day. 



"Eight to ten weeks old one-half corn meal, equal parts bran and low 

 grade flour, ten percent beef scrap, three per cent grit; oyster shells and less 

 green food. Feed three times a day. 



" The above ingredients should be made into a mash, and should be 

 crumbly, not pasty. Proportions by measure, not by weight." RANKIN. 

 Whichever of the above methods of feeding the^reader takes up, he will find it better to 



