DUCK DOLLARS 87 
for months without change, ani are inspired almost wholly by dealers 
who wish to buy as cheaply as they can. To find out the true prices in 
your city, go out in person, or telephone, and offer to Buy ten-week-old 
ducklings of good weight. In raising ducklings, you would have an 
important advantage in getting your grain much cheaper. In Iowa, 
ducks can be raised for less than five cents a pound. 
Q.—The only thing I don’t understand is about plowing up the 
yards in August. How do you manage this with the ducks? Are they 
mside the house when the yards are being plowed up, or out on the 
range? A—Plowing in August, mentioned in the foregoing, refers to 
the breeding yards. The ducks are through laying, they have earned 
their money and should be disposed of, or put on the range, and the 
yards gotten ready for the coming fall, for the new breeders. 
Q.—Do duck houses need to face the south? A.—It is always advis- 
able, in this section of the country, to face the duck buildings either 
south or southeast. 
Q.—How are the roof ventilators made? A.—Make a box thirty 
inches long and ten inches wide, open at the bottom. Nail two boards 
on the top end, pitch, roof fashion, to keep out the rain. Saw a hole 
in the roof of the house just large enough to receive the ventilator. Nail 
it on and fit snug with roofing paper. 
Q.—When ducks are allowed to stay outdoors at night, is there no 
danger from skunks, weasels, etc.? A.—After ducks are six weeks old, 
there is no danger. 
Q.—Will rats kill the young ducklings? A.—Yes. No danger after 
they are six weeks old. 
Q—Do you keep on hatching as long as the ducks lay? A.—Yes. 
Q.—Is there any special month that is better for hatching breeders? 
A,—Yes. April and May are the best months. 
Q.—If one wishes to keep breeding ducks over from one year to the 
next, can the feathers be picked from the live birds and marketed? If 
so, how often should they be picked? A.—It is not advisable to pick the 
feathers from live breeders. It does not pay. The birds would receive 
a setback, making them less valuable as breeders the following season. 
Q.—When breeding stock have ample range, with green grass, in 
‘spring and summer, is it necessary to give either vegetables or clover, 
and might the meat be reduced? A.—It is not necessary to supply any 
vegetables when ducks have a green range. The meat ration should be 
kept up, however. 
Q.—Do you advise saving stock for breeders from yearlings, or 
two-year-olds? A.—There is not much difference in either case. The 
important point is to have the birds strong and vigorous. 
Q.—Do you allow visitors at your duck farm? A.—If they wish to 
come for business and not for sightseeing, appointments may be made 
by letter. (No visitors on Sundays or holidays.) Always write a week 
or more before you intend coming. Read page seven of this book with 
regard to correspondence, questions, etc. The railroad station nearest 
the farm is Pondville, on the New York, New Haven and Hartford Rail- 
road. The Weber farm is about one mile walk from the depot. 
