1921.] 



DrCKS AS EciG-PKODT CEHS. 



production of ducks which are housed at night, falls quite a& 

 iuuch as those which are in the open all the time. 



Feeding Ducks for Egg Production. — Ducks should be 

 induced to obtain as much of their food as possible by foraging. 

 Foraging is good for their liealth, increases egg production, 

 and in consequence a smaller proportion of artificial food is 

 required. It is most economical to feed, as far as it is possible, 

 on home-grown and home-prepared foods. Fancy and proprie- 

 tary laying meals are not recommended. 1'ho bulk of the food 

 should be given in the form of a w'et mash consisting principally 

 of ground oats, wheat bran, and a reliable fish meal of low salt 

 and oil content. If free range is available the only other neces- 

 sities are some shell forming material such as cockle or oyster 

 shell and drinking water. If the birds are confined in pens a 

 small feed of heavy white oats or small wheat should be given in 

 the morning and some vegetable food supplied. Flint grit is 

 very seldom needed. Barley and barley meal are not recom- 

 mended for egg production and maize is unnecessary. 



Time of Feeding. — When free range is available, one feed 

 of wet mash each day just before dusk seems to give the best 

 results. It is a mistake to feed laying ducks in the morning or 

 at mid-day except w^hen foraging is for any reason either impos- 

 sible or insufficiently productive. A morning feed removes the 

 natural hunger, and the ducks no longer have any incentive to 

 forage for themselves. 



Amount of Food. — The weight required per bird per day^ 

 depends on so many factors, and is so extremely variable that it 

 is unwise to give any figures. It will be found that the rate of 

 laying, nature and extent of foraging range, warmth and moisture 

 of atmosphere, and numerous other factors exercise a great 

 influence on a duck's appetite and requirements. 



It is a sound rule to give laying ducks on open range as much 

 as they will eat w^hen they return in the evening, but nothing at 

 any other time of the day. 



Training of Ducks.— Much depends on th wav in \\liich the 

 young dueklots are trained. To give the best results it is 

 t^ssential that they should feel thoroughly at home and settled 

 by the time they are old enough to comnLence production. They 

 should, therefore, be taught when still young what to do and 

 what treatment they must expect later on. The ducklets 

 should be placed in their permanent laying quarters as soon as 

 possible after they can be distinguished from the drakerels. 

 They should then remain there, having the same sleeping accom- 



