DUCKS AND GEESE 



range in color from white to green. The eggs of the 

 Call ducks run from white to green while the eggs 

 of the Black East India, like the Cayuga, for the 

 most part run from green to black. 



A peculiarity in regard to the egg color is that the 

 same female may lay eggs which are widely differ- 

 ent in color. It is likewise true that the color of the 

 shell is influenced to some extent by the feed. Ducks 

 on range will lay darker colored eggs than those 

 which are yarded. There is also a tendency for the 

 eggs to run darker in color when laying first begins 

 and for the eggs to lighten as laying proceeds. A 

 peculiarity in regard to duck eggs with a dark 

 colored shell is that a thorough washing will lighten 

 up the shell color decidedly. 



Broodiness. The Muscovy, the Call and the Black 

 East India ducks are broody breeds. The ducks of 

 these breeds will make their nests, hatch their eggs 

 and are good mothers. All the other breeds are 

 classed as non-broody breeds. Of course, a certain 

 percentage of them will go broody and show a de- 

 sire to sit but they do not make reliable sitters and 

 mothers and are not as a rule used for this purpose. 



Considerations in Making the Mating'" 



Since ducks are kept for different purposes there 



*For a more detailed discussion of the principles of breeding 

 as applied to chickens and which is ^qually applicable to ducks, 

 the reader is referred to "The Mating and Breeding of Poul- 

 try" by Harry M. Lamon and Rob R. Slocum, published by the 

 Orange Judd Publishing Company, New York City. 



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