RANKIN'S DUCK BOOK 



QUESTION 15. — How much does it cost to keep a duck 

 each season. 



ANSWER.— From $1.75 to $2.00. They are gross feed- 

 ers, of bulky food, but the greater number and value of the 

 eggs in market over the average hen, makes the duck more 

 profitable as an egg-producer than the hen. 



QUESTION 16. — At what season are the eggs of a duck 

 most fertile? 



ANSWER. — During the months of February, March, 

 April and May, though they are usually fertile with us dur- 

 ing January, June and even July. 



QUESTION 17. — What per cent, of the eggs will usually 

 hatch ? 



ANSWER. — That depends entirely upon how the moth- 

 er-bird is cared for and fed. See formula for laying birds. 



QUESTION 18. — What is the average loss sustained in 

 growing ducklings? 



ANSWER. — Not more than two per cent, with us, but 

 it depends largely upon how the old birds are fed; how the 

 eggs are incubated, and the young birds cared for. 



QUESTION 19. — How many birds can be safely kept in 

 one brooder and one yard? 



ANSWER. — About one hundred, and as they grow old- 

 er, unless the yards are of good size, a less number would 

 grow and fat better. 



QUESTION 20.— At what age should the young birds be 

 put upon the market? 



ANSWER. — When the prices are very high in the early 

 spring market them at about nine weeks old, when they would 

 dress from ten to eleven pounds per pair. Later on, when 

 prices are lower market them at ten to eleven weeks old, when 

 they should dress from twelve to thirteen pounds per pair. 



QUESTION 21.— When and how do you select your 

 breeding birds? 



ANSWER. — As soon as we can distinguish the quality 

 and merits of the bird, and from our earliest hatches, as they 

 always develop into larger and better birds. 



QUESTION 22. — How do you treat the young birds for 

 breeding purposes? 



ANSWER. — Turn them out to pasture, and feed lightly 

 on food calculated to develop bone, muscle and feathers. 



QUESTION 23.— What shall I do to keep my ducks still 

 in the night, when they make a great noise and commotion? 

 Some of them are broken down and cannot stand. 



