1921. J Ducks as Egg-Producers. 65 



kind and very cheaply made. CJlass windows, perches and nest 

 boxes are not jvqiiired, and although bedding is necessary if a 

 duck-house is used, there are no expenses in purchasing e^Oi-atch- 

 ing htter. 



The writer prefers leaving the ducks absolutelv in the open 

 as soon as they are large enough to be safe from rats. 



Feeding. — Feeding is less frequent than with hens. A wet 

 mash given late in the day is the essential meal, and only simple 

 ingredients like ground oats, bran and fishnieal are necessary. 

 Hard corn is only required if the ducks have not free range or 

 if their eggs are to be used for incubation.. Variety, which a duck 

 does not appear to relish, hinders rather than helps egg pro- 

 duction. 



Fencing. — The fencing, which is very expensive for poultry 

 runs, costs much less in the case of ducks, as wiie netting 

 8 ft. or 4 ft. high will keep most kinds wdthin bounds. 



Depreciation. — Whilst hens are rarely worth keeping after 

 their second season except for breeding purposes, and aie 

 less productive in their second season than in their first, 

 well bred ducks often lay as well in their second as in their first 

 season, and are usually profitable in their third and sometimes 

 in their fourth. Being also less subject to infectious diseases, 

 and generally more healthy, they are less likely to die young 

 than hens, so that replacement charges are less. 



Laying Capacity. — The writer does not wish to support the 

 extravagant claims of egg laying which are sometimes made on 

 behalf of ducks, as there have been very few real tests of com- 

 parison between hens and ducks. He is of opinion that 

 pullets and ducklets of the best laying breeds average 

 about the same number of eggs per bird per year, but that 

 the best ducklets will probably produce more than the best 

 pullets. Second, third and fourth season ducks undoubtedly 

 average more than hens of the same age. 



Size of Eggs. — Practically all duck eggs are large, being well 

 over the 2 oz. standard. 



Consistent Laying. — Well bred ducks often lay continuously 

 for very long periods. 



Good Autumn Production. — Ducks lay a large proportion of 

 their eggs when prices are high; if properly managed, their 

 production after the moult in the autumn may be quite as good 

 as in the spring. The writer's best records with Khaki Camp- 

 bells were made in the autumn by second season ducks after 

 their moult. 



