70 BRIGGS' SYSTEM OF 



water will give them cramps which quickly kills them 

 and if they do not die it will so stunt them that they 

 never get over it. 



I have at last found a perfect feed for young 

 ducks first hatched, and that is Spratt's Patent chick 

 feed. I pour hot water on it which increases the bulk 

 about one-half ; when cool feed and you will find every 

 duck that can be raised, or better every duck that has 

 strength to eat, will live on this feed and they grow 

 very rapidly on it. In fact they could be put to 

 market on it but it would not pay as the feed is to 

 high priced : but it pays well to start them on it, for 

 they eat but little the first two weeks. I would not be 

 without it in raising ducks. 



iVfter they are two weeks old you can gradually 

 change them on a mash made as follows ; One part 

 wheat bran, one part middlings, two parts corn meal, 

 ten per cent beef scraps, a little grit and you will find 

 they grow ^'ery rapidly on this. Twenty per cent 

 of green feed can be added with grand results. After 

 the seventh week double up your corn meal and in- 

 crease your beef scrap to 15 per cent and if you have 

 the large kind of Pekins they should be ready for 

 market on this feed at nine weeks of age and fully 

 80 per cent of your flock should average five pounds 

 each, dressed weight; and many will go over this 

 weight. 



Spratt's chick feed will cost you $6.00 per hun- 

 dred, and even at this price it is the cheapest thing I 

 know of for starting young ducks, for every one lives 

 on it that is fit to leaA-e the incubator. It is the 

 natural duck feed, although not generally known. 



In dressing ducks for market, hang them in pairs 

 on a line and stick in roQf of mouth with a sharp 

 knife and at the same time hit them a solid blow on 

 top of the head and pull out their main tail feathers 

 and wing feathers, except flight feathers or plainer 

 feathers on last or outside joint of wing. Soon as 

 dead take them down, wash out mouth, and take them 

 by the head, two at a time, and dip them in a kettle of 

 boiling water until feathers come easy. You will 



