22 



DUCK-TARDS. 



Yards should be provided for fattening purposes about 12 feet 

 square; these will accommodate 40 young ducks comfortably. The 

 yards should be erected in a position where the ducks will not be 

 disturbed, as the birds should be kept as quiet as possible when 

 being prepared for the market. In each pen a long shed 4 feet 

 wide can be provided, built of bark, palings, or any such 

 material, this will form shelter and protection at night-time. 

 Fences 3 feet high will suffice. The position of the duck-yards 

 should be on sloping ground with sufficient fall to carry off any 

 extra flow of water. The roof of Jhe shed should fall to the 

 back so as to carry the drainage away. On the outside of the 

 fence a space of about 6 inches should be left so as to place a 

 trough for feeding on the outside of the runs with a lid opening 

 from the top fixed with sufficient fall to carry the water away ; 

 such lid will protect the sun and rain from the feed and water. 

 This will be found a great advantage both in time and feeding, 

 and saves entering the yards and disturbing the birds. This is a 

 clean and easy method of feeding ducks. 



How TO Fatten Ducklings. 



After leaving the shell ducklings should be fed on oatmeal or 

 pollard, scalded with milk or water, for the first fortnight ; then, 

 as they increase in age, give them any of the following : — Maize- 

 meal, barley-meal, boiled potatoes, mixed with a little bran ; 

 scalded wheat should be given as the last feed at night-time. 

 Animal food and bone-meal should be mixed through their feed 

 about twice a week. They should be fed regularly, and not less 

 than four feeds a day ; a little and often will do more good than 

 one large feed. No more water than is sufficient for drinking 

 purposes should be allowed in the fattening yards. Green feed 

 and grit should always be supplied. A duckling at ten to twelve 

 weeks' old should weigh 4 lbs. live weight ; and, as they increase 

 in age up to six months, the heavier the bird is the better for the 

 producer, as the buyers in the English market are guided by the 

 weight of the birds. 



