DUCKS AND GEESE 



drake. In the Crested White use 5 or 6 ducks and 

 in the Runner 6 to 8 ducks to a drake. 



Where young drakes are used more ducks can be 

 mated to them than is the case with old drakes. It is 

 also true that where especially large exhibition 

 birds have been reserved for breeding purposes it is 

 necessary to reduce the number of ducks mated to a 

 drake as otherwise the fertility is very likely to run 

 lower with these older heavier ducks. 



Breeding and Laying Season. Under ordinary 

 farm conditions where the ducks receive only fairly 

 good care and feed the laying does not begin to any 

 extent until February or March. With exceptional 

 care the ducks will begin to lay in January and a 

 few may even lay in December. The ducks lay very 

 persistently and continue their laying until hot 

 weather sets in or usually about the first of July. 

 They gradually let up in their laying until it ceases 

 almost entirely soon after that date. The breeding 

 season is at its height in the months of April and 

 May. At this time the fertility will run best and the 

 results in hatching will be most satisfactory. How- 

 ever, it is possible to continue to hatch the duck 

 eggs which are produced with fair results as long 

 as the ducks continue to lay. 



Management of Breeders, 



Housing. Some sort of house or shelter must be 

 provided for the breeding flock. Any available shed 



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