244 PROFITABLE POULTRY PRODUCTION 



places dry. The yards where ducks are kept should 

 be scraped from time to time and fresh sand or 

 earth thrown upon them. It is a good plan to have 

 the yards plowed or spaded and sown to rye in the 

 fall, or in the spring where the fowls have access 

 during the summer, but not in the winter, to water 

 I range. Not only does this purify the soil, but it 

 helps to supply feed. 



No special remarks need be made concerning the 

 quarters for ducks. Houses and yards may be 

 practically the same as for hens, except that nests 

 and roosts need not be supplied. Preference should 

 always be given to well-drained soil, so that when 

 rain falls the yards may not be sloppy and so that 

 the droppings may be washed into the soil rather 

 than over it or made into puddles. Shade is essen- 

 tial in the summer time. If there is no natural 

 shade, artificial shade must be supplied. Ducks 

 are very sensitive to the sun's heat. They will 

 naturally take care of themselves in a marsh where 

 there is shrubbery, but where shrubbery is absent 

 they should have a simple shed or canvas cover 

 under which they may take refuge. 



At all times it is essential that ducks be treated 

 kindly and quietly. Gentleness and quietness are 

 absolutely necessary to the best development of the 

 duck. As a rule, ducks are fearless until they are 

 once frightened. When one is frightened fear 

 rapidly spreads among the flock. If it is necessary 

 to catch any duck it should always be caught by 

 the body, never by the neck, and the person who 

 does the catching should never be careless or rough 

 in handling the ones caught. The same remark 

 made concerning visitors and dogs with respect to 

 hens applies even more forcibly to ducks. Never 



