grains, pollard or sharps, bran and chopped green stuff, all mixed 

 up into a mash not too wet. I also gave the same mash twice a 

 day, a real good feed each time, and occasionally a handful of 

 wheat or maize. The mash was made as follows, the same 

 as I feed all my ducks: one-half brewers' grains, the other half 

 composed of pollard and bran (more pollard than bran). The 

 greens are added. I consider a good strain of Runner ducks, 

 allowed to mature, given free range, fed with good, whole- 

 some food such as bran and pollard mixed with greens (one 

 meal a day can be either maize or wheat) ducks treated so must 

 lay well and pay well, and will beat hens hollow, both in the 

 number of eggs laid, also in profit to their owner." 



A feeding-point which I want all to notice is that there is 

 virtually little difference in the feeding practices of different 

 handlers. Barring some variations in proportion, nearly all are 

 using the cheap, common feeds: bran. Alfalfa, green or dry, all 

 green stuffs available, and a little corn or wheat for a one-feed 

 per day grain. One has used some buckwheat; one uses some 

 oats, even for the babies, but sifts out the hulls. Sprouted oats 

 are as good for yarded ducks as for hens and chicks. 



A very practical difficulty which meets the handlers of laying 

 ducks is that, in mid-winter, the ducks, being largely night layers, 

 must be in reasonably warm quarters, or the eggs will freeze. 

 Breeders of ducks especially noted for laying should, therefore, 

 plan for warmer housing than others find necessary. This does 

 not mean that they must provide close, stuffy houses, for these 

 will not work for the good health and vigor of the stock. The 

 best thing any one can do to make his shelters warm for stock 

 of any kind is to locate them where they are sheltered from wind. 

 The closer they are to shelter on the windward side, the warmer 

 they will be. A second good aid toward the needed warmth for 

 laying ducks, is deep, soft litter. If this occupies only such por- 

 tion of the floor as will accommodate the inmates comfortably, 



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