DUCK RAISING ON THE FARM 



fined when desired. It is also necessary to provide 

 a house or shed in which they can be shut at night 

 and during the early morning. Otherwise, many 

 of the eggs may be dropped anywhere about the 

 place or in the water with the result that some of 

 them will be lost. A pond or stream to which the 

 ducks can have access and in which they can swim 

 is a great advantage since it helps to keep them in 

 good breeding condition. It is a common but mis- 

 taken idea that low, wet land is best suited for 

 ducks. 



Size of Flock. — The average farm flock of ducks 

 is small, rarely running over 15 to 20 head. In many 

 cases not over 10 or 12 ducks with one or two drakes 

 will be kept. A flock of this size will furnish quite 

 a large number of ducks for the farmer's table or 

 for sale in addition to more or less eggs which can 

 either be used at home or sold. 



Making a Start. In making a start with a farm 

 flock of ducks it is probably best to figure on keep- 

 ing only a few head. If the farmer begins with 4 or 

 5 ducks and one drake he can make his start at 

 small expense and from this number he will be able 

 to increase the size of his flock if he finds that re- 

 sults warrant it. Probably the best way to make a 

 start is to purchase the desired breeding stock in the 

 fall. This will give the ducks a chance to get set- 

 tled and to be in good condition and accustomed to 

 their quarters by spring so that they will begin to 

 breed and lay. 



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