88 BRIGGS' SYSTEM OF 



pour hot water on it, which increases the bulk about one- 

 half ; when cool, feed, and you will find every duck that 

 can be raised, or better every duck that has strength to 

 eat, will live on this feed, and they grow very rapidly 

 on it. In fact, they could be put to market on it, but it 

 would not pay as the feed is to high priced; but it pays 

 well to start them on it, for they eat but little the first 

 two weeks. I would not be without it in raising ducks. 



After they are two weeks old you can gradually 

 change them on a mash made as follows : One part 

 wheat bran, one part middlings, two parts corn-meal, lo 

 per cent, beef scraps, a little grit, and you will find they 

 grow very rapidly on this. Twenty per cent, of green 

 feed can be added with grand results. After the sev- 

 enth week double up your corn-meal and increase your 

 beef scraps to 15 per cent., and if you have the large, 

 kind of Pekins they should be ready for market on this 

 feed at nine weeks of age, and fully 80 per cent, of your 

 flock should average five pounds each, dressed weight, 

 and many will go over this weight. 



Spratt's chick feed will cost you $6 per hundred, and 

 even at this price it is the cheapest thing I know of for 

 starting young ducks, for every one lives on it that is fit 

 to leave the incubator. It is the natural duck feed, al- 

 though not generally known. 



In dressing ducks for market hang them in pairs on 

 a line, and stick in roof of mouth with a sharp knife, 

 and at the same time hit them a solid blow on top of the 

 head, and pull out their main tail feathers and wing 

 feathers, except flight feathers or plainer feathers on last 

 or outside joint of wing. Soon as dead take them down, 

 wash out mouth, and take them by the head, two at a 

 time, and dip them in a kettle of boiling water until 

 feathers come easy. You will quickly learn this with lit- 

 tle practice. Have a pail of cold water ready to wet 

 your fingers, and take the feathers from the breast first, 



