136 Profitable Potdtry Keeping. 



for hatching, and rearing the ducklings, which had only a 

 pool of water about six feet in diameter to disport them- 

 selves in. Had we attempted to keep layers we should 

 doubtless have failed, for it is an undisputed fact that ducks 

 which are to be used as breeders, must have a fair amount 

 of water, enough to swim about in. And if tbis cannot be 

 given, the plan we have adopted should be followed, or no 

 ducks kept at all. Otherwise, failure will be the inevitable 

 result. 



So far as the housing of ducks is concerned, they require 

 a comfortable house in the winter or late autumn. One 

 low in the roof is the best, as they always lie upon the floor, 

 which should be made in the same way as that already 

 described for ordinary poultry houses. If the roof is three 

 feet above the ground, that will be sufficient, but it must 

 be properly ventilated, and dry both above and below. 

 Clean straw should be kept on the floor, and bricks and 

 straw used for nests, "but no shed is needed if the house is 

 of reasonable size, as the birds rather enjoy rain than other- 

 wise. It is best to have an enclosure round the house, 

 made of low wood railings, in which the birds can be kept 

 until about ten o'clock in Ibe morning, for if allowed out 

 before that time they will lay in any out of the way place, 

 where the nests will not be very easy to discover. Where 

 plenty of water is at hand for breeding ducks, then one drake 

 will be sufficient for five or six ducks, and, as they are peace- 

 able in their nature, all the stock may be kept together, except 

 there is an object in separating them, such as when there are 

 different breeds, or there is a desire to keep families separate. 



There are many varieties of ducks, some of which are 

 purely fancy ones, whilst others are chiefly noted for their 

 economic qualities ; but it is generally admitted by natu- 

 ralists, that the various breeds of domesticated ducks have all 

 descended from the wild duck, or Mallard, as it is called, 



