19 



BEEEDINa DUCKS FOE EXPOET. 



A great feature in duck breeding is that they mature speedily, 

 and for this trade ten to twelve weeks will be found quite sufficient 

 time to raise and fatten a duck for export. In dealing with the 

 question of duck breeding inuch that has been said in regard to 

 raising fowls will cover the same purpose. The breeder has to 

 consider the same principles, such as economy, early hatching, 

 quick-maturing, crossing, feeding, and fattening ; but with ducks 

 there are only three breeds to consider. ; these are : — Aylesbury, 

 Rouens, and Pekins. 



A system of crossing should be adopted on the following 

 lines : — 



1. Aylesbury drake with Pekin ducks. 



2. Pekin drake with Aylesbury ducks. 



3. Eouen drake with Aylesbury or Pekin ducks. 



4. Aylesbury or Pekin drakes with Rouen ducks. 



To improve any of the common or ordinary stock, pure drakes 

 of the above breeds should be introduced which will produce size, 

 and give a better class of duck for the succeeding season. 

 The Pekin is noted as an egg producer ; the Aylesbury having 

 the colour and quality of flesh. The Rouen is regarded as the 

 most hardy, but, being dark in feather, the. flesh is not so good in 

 colour as either the Aylesbury or Pekin. The crossing as 

 previously mentioned will tend to produce the most desirable 

 class of duck for export. Drakes used for breeding should be at 

 least nine months old to insure fertile eggs, and about six ducks 

 should be given to each drake. 



6 2 



