Feeding Ducklings. 145 



in order that all may come out together, or within a short 

 time of each other, it is best to select eggs as nearly equal 

 in age as possible. Duck eggs should be tested in the way 

 we shall describe for hens' eggs ; but it is best to make 

 the first examination on the ninth or tenth day, and the 

 water test on the twenty-fifth day. Of course, a daily look 

 at the eggs is advisable; and if any get broken, all must be 

 washed, and the nest re-made. As a rule, we do not approve 

 of the plan of removing any of the little things from under 

 the hen, should the hatching he irregular ; but if any are 

 greatly delayed in hatching, then those ducklings that are 

 dry, may be taken away, and put in a flannel covered basket, 

 near the fire. They need, however, to have something 

 against which they can put their hacks, and thus a good 

 cushion may be put over the flannel, of course, seeing that 

 there is enough ventilation through the sides of the basket, 

 or the ducklings may all be smothered. The morning after 

 the hatching is completed, the hen and her brood should 

 he removed to a coop, placed under a shed ; and, as they 

 do not require any food for the first twenty-four hours 

 after being hatched, they will now be ready for their first 

 meal, which should consist of hard-boiled eggs, chopped fine, 

 and mixed with boiled rice. This food may be continued for 

 two or three days, when Spratt's or Chamberlain's foods, or 

 boiled rice, or barley meal, the two latter mixed with greaves, 

 should be given, if the birds are intended to be killed at an 

 early age ; bnt if not, the greaves should be dispensed with, 

 and the boiled rice reduced in quantity, to made only an 

 occasional food. The greaves consist almost entirely of fat, 

 whilst the rice contains only a trace of bone-forming sub- 

 stances in it, so that both these foods are admirable for the 

 purpose of forcing birds for the table ; but, they are not at 

 all calculated to build up the frames of those birds intended 

 to be reared to an adult age. In the latter it is necessary 



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