Ducks. 133 



CHAPTER XH. 



DUCKS. 



Ducks very profitable — Water needed for Breeders — Not to be kept with Hens — 

 Duck Farms — Housing — The Wild Duck — The Aylesnury — The Rouen — 

 The Pekin — The Cayuga — The Muscovy — Ornamental Varieties — Keeping 

 in Small Runs — Forcing — Breeding — Hatching — Rearing — Feeding — Pre- 

 paring Rice. 



Of all the various kinds of domesticated poultry, which "can 

 be kept by farmers or cottagers, there is no doubt that ducks 

 are the most profitable ; but they need a suitable place to be 

 kept in, and are not so capable of adapting themselves to 

 circumstances as are hens. They are, however, hardy, 

 easily reared, feed up quickly, and can, at the proper season 

 of the year, or in some places at almost any season, be sold 

 very readily at good prices. Where there are towns within 

 a reasonable distance of a farm, arrangements can be made 

 to supply hotels, restaurants, private houses, or dealers, and 

 we are sure the result will be a satisfactory one. Of course, 

 water will be required, and a running stream is best of all, 

 but the soil can be of any nature, though where it is gravel 

 or sand, it is all the better for the purpose, as ducks require 

 one or other of these to help them in the digestion of their 

 food, and the more easily they do digest the food the better 

 they will thrive. Ducks do not want good land, but can be 

 kept on uncultivated ground, and it will be none the worse 

 for them if they can have some good shelter, such as trees or 

 bushes afford. They must not, however, be kept with hens, 



