Practical Game-Preserving. 252 



the first week the limit to their movements must be made 

 by the covered run; but after this period they may have 

 free run of the field. It is, however, necessary to exer- 

 cise some judgment in reference to wet or very cold 

 weather. The young ducklings will very soon show their 

 ability to seek and find such natural food as the rearing- 

 field provides, and by degrees the number of feeds per 

 day, and the quantity of custard, may be gradually 

 reduced. At from three to four weeks some of the foster- 

 hens those in alternate coops to start with may be 

 removed, and by the time the ducklings are six weeks old 

 the feeding-times may be reduced to twice a day, morning 

 and evening. 



There should be no stint in the amount of food given ; 

 but the ducklings should eat it up cleanly, and any really 

 left over should be removed. It will probably be observed 

 that at the first meal the youngsters will apparently be 

 satisfied when about half the food is consumed; but, if 

 not hurried, they will break off and then soon return to 

 finish. It is therefore necessary to devote a little longer 

 time to seeing them complete the first meal than to the 

 others before removing any surplus food. As soon as the 

 ducklings are nine or ten weeks old they may be removed 

 to the water-side, to what will be their permanent quarters. 



During all this time more or less constant observation of 

 the young stock must be maintained. Any showing signs 

 of weakness should be picked up and placed in a basket 

 provided with warm material, which should be placed near 

 a fire, but not too close to it. They will quickly recover, 

 and may be returned to the others as soon as they show 

 themselves well and strong again. If the weaklings prove 

 numerous, however, they are best kept and treated sepa- 

 rately from the other broods, as they then progress better. 

 Obviously, however, special arrangements cannot be made 



