3lS THE BEGINNER IN POULTRY 



need any food till the next day after cooping. The hens 

 should have corn and water. The ducklings need 

 warmth chiefly, if the weather be cool; if hot, they 

 need shade, with a chance to get into the sun as the 

 day cools. As soon as they need feed they will take it 

 when offered. Bread soaked in milk is the best food to 

 begin with. After this a little bran can be added, with 

 a little meat and sand, and soaked cracked corn at night. 

 Five per cent of meat at first is the standard amount. 

 A large spoonful of sand in two quarts of feed once a 

 day is a fair quantity. Very fine grit is even better 

 than sand. Charcoal helps to keep them in good thrift. 

 A handful occasionally is all that will be required. 

 Water must be always before them in vessels such that 

 they can wash their nostrils, yet not soak their bodies 

 while still downy. As they grow, the little run must be 

 enlarged or a fresh one provided. They need the hen 

 only two weeks or so in mild weather. When feathered, 

 which will be from seven weeks onward, they may be 

 allowed to swim if water privileges are at hand. It is to 

 be remembered that this water privilege, good as it is, 

 has also its disadvantages ; since vermin commonly fol- 

 low the streams and haunt the ponds. Hence, if these 

 are troublesome, close yarding, with security at night, 

 will be the price of success. 



When the young are ten or eleven weeks old they 

 will prepare to assume a new coat. If to be sold for 

 market, just before this molt is the time to dispose of 

 every one that is up to average, as they are commonly 

 fatter and better at this period than at any other. If 

 not sold then, they must be kept on until the new coat 

 matures, several weeks later. 



