WATER FOWL 243 



convenient place, preferably not too near the house. 

 It need not be expensive. Concrete may be used 

 where the formation of the ground is not suitable 

 for making a pond by means of a dam across the 

 spring. The depth need not be more tha i8 inches, 

 and even that depth is not necessary so far as the 

 water itself is concerned. Probably a foot will be 

 ample depth for the water. The pond need be sup- 

 plied only for the breeding ducks which mate in the 

 water. 



While it is possible for ducks to get along with-' 

 out water to swim in, yet they certainly do better 

 when supplied with a place to paddle, and best 

 where they have a chance to forage. Foraging for 

 » duck is what scratching is for a hen. It supplies 

 exercise and interest in life. If not given water 

 range, ducks should have fresh water to drink al- 

 ways within easy reach. The duck fountain, placed 

 upon a gravel pit, is one of the best arrangements, 

 because it does not allow the ground around it to 

 become muddy. Ducks splash a good deal of water 

 around their drinking fountains and some means 

 of drainage must be supplied or the place will be- 

 come very foul in a short time. In a general way 

 ducks can be profitably raised wherever hens can be. 



CLEANLINESS IS ESSENTIAL 



at all times. The feeding and drinking vessels 

 should be kept clean constantly, the floors should 

 be littered with absorbent material such as shav- 

 ings, waste hay or straw and this replaced before 

 it becomes damp and foul. While it is a fact that 

 ducks and geese also naturally spend time in the 

 water, yet they like to have their sleeping and resting 



