255 Wild Duck - 



from disturbance, and a good supply of natural food, 

 together with convenience for working the coops and for 

 feeding, all have to be taken into consideration, and, if 

 possible, provided for. There is one other matter to be 

 referred to, and that is the presence of predatory fish, 

 which, if of any size, must be cleared out beforehand, 

 otherwise many of the young ducklings will fall victims 

 to their voracity. The question of vermin, notably rats, 

 is also a serious one; but it will be dealt with separately. 



The general idea which should govern the choice of a 

 water for the ducklings is that they shall remain at the 

 one to which they are first taken, and make that their 

 permanent home. When several large batches are reared, 

 it may be necessary to spread them over two or three 

 expanses of water, in which case each batch should be 

 allocated to its particular water in the first instance. But, 

 as sometimes happens, it may be necessary to use one par- 

 ticular water for partly completing the rearing of the 

 ducklings, and then transfer them to their permanent 

 quarters. It must be remembered that the young wild 

 duck require a very great deal of looking after for some 

 little time after being put to the water; consequently, 

 where the distances are greater, the nearer stretch of water 

 should, if possible, be chosen for them in the first instance. 



As mentioned previously, it is at about nine or ten 

 weeks of age that the ducklings are removed to water. 

 By this time the coops should be practically cleared 

 of the foster-hens; but if any still remain they must 

 be discarded when the removal takes place. When 

 the broods are taken to the water, each coop should 

 contain from twelve to fifteen ducklings, and not more, 

 because they grow very rapidly, and require plenty of 

 room. It is best to remove them after they are shut up for 

 the night, and give them their liberty not too early in the 



