WATER FOWL 24I 



and not allowed to get as dry as hens' eggs while 

 hatching. None but fresh eggs from healthy parent 

 stock should be used. By fresh eggs is meant eggs 

 not over ten days old. It is true that eggs, even 

 three weeks old, have been set under hens, but 

 these do not usually give as good results ; the duck- 

 lings are likely to be weak. Preferably the hen 

 should be taken from her nest at noon when the 

 temperature of the air is warmest. A half hour 

 off the nest will be sufficient for the hen to range, 

 secure green food, grain, water and dust herself. 



CARE OF DUCKLINGS 



As the ducklings hatch they should be put in a 

 warm place, preferably near the kitchen stove, and 

 kept warm just as little chicks are managed. When 

 the hatch is over the ducklings may be put under 

 the hen in a coop or in a brooder; preferably they 

 should be kept confined for two or three days and 

 then allowed to roam in a small yard as soon as the 

 i weather is warm. Many farmers who raise ducks 

 on a small scale believe it absurd to allow a nice 

 hen to run her legs off with a brood of ducklings. 

 The ducklings are never still a minute. They care 

 nothing for the mother except to use her at night 

 as a hover. 



If one has not enough ducklings to justify a 

 brooder, a small box lined with old woolen 

 or flannel goods will be found satisfactory. Heat 

 may be supplied by a jug of hot water placed pref- 

 erably above the heads of the ducklings. The little 

 ducks may be fed at first with hard-boiled eggs, 

 bread crmnbs, clabber or other soft food. Mush 

 and milk are also good, but preferably this food 



