RANKIN'S DUCK BOOK 



ANSWER.— Hang a lantern in their yard. You must 

 keep them still. 



QUESTION 24.— Can ducks be shipped safely any dis- 

 tance? 



ANSWER.— We ship ducks safely all over the United 

 States, Canada and Europe. 



QUESTION 25. — Would you recommend incubator or 

 hens for hatching duck's eggs? 



ANSWER.— Incubator, by all means, if hatched in large 

 quantities. 



QUESTION 26.— Would you use brooders, if hatched 

 under hens? 



ANSWER. — Brooders are better than hens, for two rea- 

 sons. It is less trouble to care for them. Hens crush large 

 numbers of them when small. 



QUESTION 27.— How long can the eggs be kept for 

 hatching? 



ANSWER. — They can be kept three weeks, safely, if kept 

 on end, in a cool place, but should prefer them fresher. 



QUESTION 28.— Can Pekin ducks be crossed with other 

 breeds profitably? 



ANSWER. — From our experience, we can say no. In 

 every case it has required longer time to mature the mon- 

 grels, and as the prices decline in the early spring, this is quite 

 an item, besides the introduction of colored feathers injures 

 the appearance of the dressed bird, as well as the quality of 

 the feathers, which is also quite an item. 



QUESTION 29.— What is the price of duck's feathers in 

 the market? 



ANSWER. — Formerly, white duck feathers commanded 

 fiftv cents per pound, but since white feathers have been im- 

 ported from Russia in such quantities, ours average about 

 forty-five cents per pound. 



QUESTION 30. — What makes their wings turn out from 

 their bodies? 



ANSWER. — This is often caused by the rapid develop- 

 ment of the bird. The resting feathers on the sides under the 

 wings, do not keep pace with the rapid growth of the bird, 

 and the constant efforts of the bird to keep the wings in place, 

 tends to turn the wings outward. We have always noticed 

 that these are invariably the best birds. 



QUESTION 31.— Which are the most profitable, ducks 

 or chickens? 



ANSWER. — This will depend upon whether the grower 

 is a care-taker, or whether he is careless, lazy or untidy. We 



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