Chapter X 

 DUCKS, GEESE AND GUINEA FOWL 



DUCKS, geese and guinea fowls are not for 

 the amateur who has only a very small lot. 

 The man or woman, however, who has 

 enough land so that the stock need not be confined 

 too closely will find these birds profitable, as well as 

 providing meat for the table at low cost. Ope va- 

 riety of duck, the Indian Runner, may even be de- 

 pended upon for eggs, for it is remarkably prolific, 

 laying from 140 to 200 eggs a year. 



It is only of late years that the Indian Runner 

 duck has become popular. Now, birds of this 

 breed are being raised in constantly increasing num- 

 bers. Many women are taking up the Runners, 

 seeming to consider that they are somewhat easier 

 to care for than hens. Perhaps this is a fact, for 

 they are hardy and strong, grow quickly and never 

 need to be coddled. It is not at all improbable that 

 some amateurs will substitute them for the more 

 common kinds of poultry in the years to come, for 



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