114 POULTBY FATTENING. 



These birds grow very rapidly, and what are known 

 as ducklings, that is, birds that are killed before they 

 have cast their j&rst feathers, are ready for market in 

 about from seven to nine weeks, when they weigh 

 41b. to 51b., and this is undoubtedly the most profit- 

 able part of the business. There is, however, a 

 number kept until they are fourteen or fifteen weeks 

 old, when they scale much more, but do not realise 

 so much as younger specimens. The object is to 

 get them marketed as rapidly as possible. The season 

 lasts from February to July, that is, when game is 

 out of season, and a visit to the district after June 

 would show that it was almost entirely denuded of 

 ducks, save those retained for breeding purposes. 

 Ducklings do not receive any special shaping, but 

 if packed tightly they assume that flat form usually 

 seen. The prices obtained vary in accordance with 

 the season, and the following are prices for well- 

 grown ducklings given me by Messrs. Brooke Bros. : 

 January, 6s. to 10s. per couple ; February, 6s. 6d. to 

 lis. ; March, 9s. to 18s. ; April, 7s. to 12s. ; May, 6s. 

 to 8s. ; and June, 5s. to 7s. The kind of duck bred 

 in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, without ex- 

 ception, is the Aylesbury, no other equalling it for 

 rapid growth and flesh properties. 



Artificial methods of hatching have not been adopted 

 in the ducking districts, chiefly from indisposition to 

 adopt new methods, and hens, of a large, roomy type, 

 are employed for the work. Full particulars of this 

 system are given in the author's book " Poultry 

 Keeping as an Industry for Farmers and Cottagers." 



The question is frequently asked, when reference is 



