Money in Broilers and Squabs. 79 



The last of August generally ends the duck laying season. 



An average picker will dress from 40 to 50 ducks a day. 



C. F. Newman says duck eggs for hatching should not be 

 washed, or the oily, greasy covering on the outside shell will be 

 removed, and they will not hatch so well. 



After the first four days, George Pollard gives his ducklings a 

 mixture of equal parts of cornmeal and bran, and seven or eight per 

 cent of beef scraps. After this the per cent of beef scraps is gradual- 

 ly mcreased. This mixture is fed up until killing time. 



Prof. Samuel Cushman says in Rural New Yorker, that leaving 

 the bran out of the duck feed stops their eating. It might work with 

 green food, but does not without. Feeding green food makes the 

 ducks yellow, and they sell for less. White-skinned ducks are de- 

 manded. 



An earth floor in the breeding house is best. 



Avoid overcrowding ducks as you would hens. 



The first eggs of the season are rarely fertile. 



Salt hay, leaves or chopped straw make good bedding. 



Charcoal in the food of the young will prevent sickness. 



It is a mistake to allow young ducklings an unlimited range. 



Medium-sized drakes are considered the best for market pro- 

 duction. 



Ducks kept on land must have fresh drinking water at least 

 three times a day. 



A less number of drakes are needed in a flock where bathing 

 water is supplied. 



Half-jgfrown ducks, when overcrowded in a pen, are apt to get 

 into the vice of pulling feathers. 



James Rankin sows rye or barley every summer in the unused 

 duck yards in order to purify them. 



Do not feed green food the week before killing for market, as 

 it gives the flesh a too yellow appearance. 



Mr. Rankin estimates that a young duck can be grown to ten 

 weeks of age at a cost for food of four cents per pound. 



It is hard to fatten the laying duck. 



All the .market ducks are scalded before dressing. 



Clover hay steeped in hot water, is a good substitute for green 

 food for breeding stock. 



A brooder 7x10 feet is about right for 100 ducklings. 



Ducklings usually start their molt when about eleven weeks 

 old. It takes a duck about six weeks to molt and get in good con- 

 dition again. 



A. J. Hallock places cracked oyster shell before his ducklings 

 from the time they are put in the brooder house. 



Twisted wings in ducks is caused by rapid growth of quills, 

 they growing faster than the feathers holding up the flights. 



Duck eggs must be set as fresh as possible to secure strong 

 fertility and a good hatch. They lose their fertility very quickly. 



Young ducks accustomed to bathing water at five or six weeks 

 of age, will stand more of a rain storm than those kept on land. 



