DUCKS AND GEESE 



easily. If this is not done they may become ex- 

 hausted and unable to climb out or they may become 

 partially cramped when the water is very cold with 

 the result that they will drown. If given access to 

 water in which they can swim during cold weather 

 it is necessary to be on the look-out to see that the 

 ducks do not freeze fast to the ground when they 

 come out of the water. 



Yards. Where yards are provided for ducks 

 poultry netting about 2 feet high is ordinarily used. 

 This will confine most of the breeds but higher fences 

 even 5 or 6 feet high must l)e provided for the 

 breeds which fly readily such as the Muscovy, Call, 

 East India, Mallard, Wood and Mandarin. In some 

 cases it is even necessary to cover over the tops of 

 the yards in order to keep the birds from flying out 

 or to pinion the birds, that is, to cut off the outer- 

 most joint of one wing. The netting used for yards 

 should be strung on posts set in the ground and the 

 lower edge should be pegged down so that the birds 

 cannot get under it. 



Care of Eggs for Hatching. Duck eggs for hatch- 

 ing must be gathered each day and should be put in 

 some cool place to be held until they are set. They 

 should be turned daily, the same as hens' eggs and 

 the general care is exactly similar. It does not, how- 

 ever, pay to keep duck eggs as long before setting 

 them as they spoil more quickly than hens' eggs. In 

 fact, it is best to set duck eggs when they are not 

 over a week old if this can be arranged. 



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