MANAGEMENT OF THE BREEDING STOCK 



ducks that have started laying early. When the 

 ducks finish laying their eggs they begin to moult 

 and it is at this time that they should be marketed. 

 If marketing is delayed, the ducks will lose condi- 

 tion as the moulting progresses and will therefore 

 be held at a loss. 



Diseases and Pests 



Disease. Old ducks, that is, mature ducks, are 

 practically free from disease. Of course, there will 

 be a certain amount of loss in the breeding stock 

 from various causes but this should not run for the 

 entire season more than 10% of the flock. Ducks 

 do not become egg bound, but sometimes, especially 

 during heavy laying, they become ruptured. 



Insect Pests. Ducks are remarkably free from 

 lice and other insect pests and those which they do 

 have do not trouble them much. It is unnecessary 

 therefore to take any precautions in the way of 

 treating the ducks to keep them free of insects. 



Dogs. Occasionally trouble may be experienced 

 from dogs. If these animals get into the yards with 

 the breeders or the fattening ducks, they may kill 

 a good many and in addition will seriously injure 

 the rest by chasing them and by the fright which 

 the ducks are given. 



AQ 



