FEEDING AND CARE OF POULTRY 



393 



house on the open range wherever possible. When given free range 

 they may be allowed to help themselves to grain and mash in self- 

 feeding hoppers. The grain feed may consist of equal parts of wheat 

 and cracked corn, and the mash of equal parts of wheat bran, 

 wheat middlings, and corn meal. If insects are not abundant 

 meat scrap or milk should be given. Green feed should be supplied 

 in case of drought. Water, grit, charcoal, and oyster shell should be 

 accessible at all times. 



The care of cockerels for the breeding flock does not differ from 

 that for pullets. Those not to be kept for breeding may be sold while 

 still on the range or may be fattened in crates. Successful crate fat- 



Fig. 112. — A Profitable Duck Eanch 



Several poultrymen have made a pronounced success of raising ducks on a 

 large scale. (From Wisconsin Station.) 



tening demands young and vigorous stock kept closely confined in clean 

 crates or coops. The usual concentrate mixture consists of about 60 lbs. 

 corn meal and 40 lbs. red dog flour or flour wheat middlings. Oat flour 

 or barley flour are sometimes added. This feed is mixed with butter- 

 milk at the rate of 1 quart of buttermilk to 1 lb. of dry feed. The 

 fowls are given just a trifle less feed than they will clean up. Feed- 

 ing is carried on for about 14 days and gains of about 35 per ct. in 

 live weight are common. 



Ducks. — The most profitable ducks are marketed at about 10 weeks 

 of age when they weigh from 5 to 6 lbs. each. Young ducks should 

 always be fed on ground feed, animal feed, green feed, and grit mixed 



