on Wild Ducks from an Incubator.



69



kept by them a dish of fine grit and charcoal, and plenty of fresh

water. As they grew older we increased the proportion of duck

meal, till, at over two weeks old, it was about half and half.


Hard-boiled egg, finely ground up, shell and all, is also a

most desirable food. Whenever eggs could be secured, we fed these

once a day, mingled with sand and diluted with oatmeal. The duck¬

lings were eager for this above everything else. It was very hard to

secure eggs from the settlers. Another time I would have cheap

eggs shipped out from civilization in case lots. From about five

days old and on we fed a little crissel, a preparation of dried clean

lean meat, but it must be used sparingly. From the age of two

weeks I began to add a little chick-grain, and from a month old and

on they had a considerable quantity of this.


Green vegetable food is important. Having the ducklings

out on the grass, we frequently changed the location of the yards,

and they soon stripped the leaves off the weeds. As substitutes for

lettuce and cabbage, we pulled up armsful of cat-tails and rushes in

the adjoining marsh, and chopped up the tender inside growth, down

near the root, for which the ducklings were always eager.


During the downy stage we fed them five times a day, as

much as they would eat up clean in a short time, reducing the

number of meals as they grew larger. Three times is enough when

they are getting fledged and two thereafter.


I did not dare to give them water to swim in, especially as the

weather was cold nearly all the time. Under proper conditions, on

warm days, however, they really need an occasional short bath, to

prevent their plumage from getting stuck up. Sometimes I had to

wash them off by hand, and occasionally dry them off in the incubator.

Doubtless it seems strange that ducklings should be kept out of the

water. In the wild state the mother probably keeps them oiled, and

broods them frequently. In confinement, however, they soon be¬

come soaked and chilled, and are apt to die of cramp. We had little

of this, because I did not give them the chance. One or two went

that way, and others I saved by hustling them promptly into the

incubator. Very hot sun is also dangerous, and shade should always

be accessible. The brooder also must not be allowed to get hot.



