RANKIN'S DUCK BOOK 



think that ducks will bear more neglect than chicks, but it will 

 not do to presume upon that, as ducks will not thrive in filth 

 more than chicks. We think that the average price of chicks 

 in market is rather higher than that of ducks, but as it costs 

 at least two cents less per pound to produce duck flesh, than 

 that of the chick, there is very little difference. 



QUESTION 32.— Where are the best markets for ducks? 



ANSWER. — Good markets may be found in all of our 

 large cities, though we think New York and Boston the best. 

 Sometimes, when large shipments produce a glut in the New 

 York markets, the surplus is shipped to Boston, where it may 

 be £> cent or two higher. Then in a few days things may be 

 reversed and the exodus be the other way, and as the freight 

 is only one-half cent per pound between the two cities, I have 

 known tons to be shipped at a time. 



QUESTION 33.— What would a plant cost, with a ca- 

 pacity of 5,000 ducklings, per day? 



ANSWER. — With good machines, and buildings barely 

 practical, $1,500 (if economically expended) would cover cost, 

 independent of land. 



QUESTION 34.— What effect does extremes of heat and 

 cold have upon young ducklings? 



ANSWER. — After they are a week old they will stand 

 much more of either than chicks. 



QUESTION 35.— Is the flesh of birds artificially grown, 

 as good as that grown in the natural manner? 



ANSWER. — Just as good. The quality of the flesh de- 

 pends entirely upon the care and feed given the birds. 



QUESTION 36.— How large should the yards be in 

 which the breeding birds are kept? 



ANSWER. — At least one hundred feet long, where the 

 buildings are long, and the width of the pens in which the 

 birds are housed. 



QUESTION 37.— Do you think it will pay to grow celery 

 to flavor the flesh of the birds? 



ANSWER. — We have never done so, and parties who 

 have grown celery for that purpose, have discontinued it as 

 being unfavorable in the end, as they were not able to obtain 

 increased prices for their product. 



QUESTION 38.— What is the best green food for ducks, 

 old and young? 



ANSWER. — Green clover, green corn-fodder, rye, oats 

 and clover-rowen cured nicely, with green rye, in winter when 

 ground is bare. 



QUESTION 39.— Should Pekin duck eggs be pure white? 



ANSWER.— Yes. 



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