Birds Ducks 
trampled in the dirt, but should always be placed 
in a shallow feeding trough. It is best, when pos- 
sible, to change the ducks from one yard to another, 
and plant the yard just vacated with some quick- 
growing crop, like rye. If this is not possible, 
sawdust or sifted coal-ashes should be scattered 
freely over the most frequented portions of the yard. 
Young ducklings should be fed green material as 
described above, and also wheat bran, corn meal and 
ground oats, from which the hulls have been removed, 
moistened with water or milk. From ten to twenty 
per cent. of animal meal is often added to the ration 
of the growing ducklings. When the ducklings are 
first hatched, equal parts of corn meal and wheat- 
bran, mixed to a crumbly mass with water or milk, 
should be given every two hours. For the next five 
weeks they should be fed four times daily. Five 
per cent grit should be added to the food. 
CARE 
Cleanliness, although difficult to attain, must be 
the rule in the duck-yard, and there should be plenty 
of pure water. Since water is the natural element 
of ducks, it surely makes them much happier if they 
have access to ponds or flowing streams. 
The duck is an excellent mother. Care must be 
taken not to allow the small ducklings to become 
wet or chilled; when small, they must be carefully 
shut up at night, for there are many creatures that 
feed upon them. 
The duck is a rapid swimmer, and its natural 
means of progress is either swimming in the water, 
or flying through the air. To walk on land is un- 
natural and difficult for the duck, for its legs are 
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