Conservation Commission. 287 



BREEDING. 



We know of but one profitable method to be followed in rearing 

 the young. A few ducklings can be brought to maturity by allow- 

 ing the duck to hatch and rear her own brood, but the losses from 

 exposure and lack of regular and proper food make this method 

 uncertain and impractical. When the ducks begin laying, great 

 care must be taken not to disturb them. The eggs should be col- 

 lected daily by the same person, and set under small hens, or 

 placed in incubators. During the period of incubation, the eggs 

 must be sprinkled frequently with warm water, to keep them 

 sufficiently moist. 



CARE OF DUCKLINGS. 



For the first twenty-four hours after hatching, the ducklings 

 require no food or water. On the second day they should be 

 placed in a brooder, or removed, with the hen that hatched them, 

 to a dry, shady run, as nearly as possible impervious to vermin 

 and cats. If natural shade is not sufficiently abundant, an artifi- 

 cial substitute must be provided. Temporary shade can be secured 

 by stretching burlap on wooden frames. If possible every runway 

 should be well carpeted with short, tender grass of which the 

 young birds will consume a great quantity. At first the food of 

 ducklings should consist of a soft mixture of meals, such as is 

 supplied by Spratts' Patent and other concerns. If this be not 

 available, an efficient substitute may be made by mixing equal 

 parts of middlings, barley meal and beef scraps, or crissel. The 

 food should be scalded, mixed, and served as a crumbly mass, but 

 not sloppy ; and it should be doled out in small quantities at fre- 

 quent intervals. Fine grit should be supplied in the form of clean 

 sand or similar material. If the range be sufficiently large, the 

 ducklings will add a great number of earthworms and insects to 

 the menu. 



Inasmuch as vounsr ducklings should be reared away from the 

 pond, pure water for drinking purposes should be supplied; and 

 its depth should never exceed one inch. Convenient vessels for 

 this purpose are sold by all poultry supply houses. Great care 

 must be taken to prevent the water from becoming heated by ex- 

 posure to the sun's rays. 



