BREEDS AND VARIETIES 



agrain. It must be remembered that most ducks 

 after getting in a good condition of flesh do not tend 

 to hold this for a very long period but soon grow 

 thinner again and will not take on fat the second 

 time for some little period. 



Often there will be a difference in weight as high 

 as 3 pounds when a duck is in good condition and 

 after it has thinned. In order to have the ducks in 

 top form, therefore, it is necessary to bring them up 

 to flesh at the proper time. In order to bring ducks 

 which are to be exhibited up to standard weight, 

 they should be fed twice daily, for at least 10 days 

 before shipping, a grain mixture consisting of one 

 part com and two parts oats. Give them all they 

 will eat of this mixture. With Runners and the small 

 breeds of ducks there is a danger of their putting on 

 too much weight if corn is used in the ration and it 

 is therefore best to give them oats alone. When 

 the birds are shipped to the show they are quite 

 likely to get their plumage soiled during the jour- 

 ney. When this occurs fill a barrel about half full 

 of water. Then as the ducks are taken out of the, 

 shipping coops take three of them at a time, put 

 them in the barrel and cover it over, leaving them 

 for a few minutes. When they are taken out they 

 will usually be clean. 



Catching and Handling Ducks 



Ducks should never be caught by the legs which 

 are short and weak and are very likely to be injured. 



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