Ducks as Egg-Producers. 



61 



twenty well bred April or May hatched ducklets. Preferably 

 those should have been bred and reared on the same farm. If 

 it is desired to stock a larger number of layers, each flock may 

 consist of 25 to 30 layers, and 4, 6, 8, or more flocks may be 

 undertaken. If it is decided to keep the ducks a tliird laying 

 season, three sleeping pens should be provided instead of two, 

 for each group of three flocks. 



Anyone beginning in 1921 with tlio idea of keeping two small 

 flocks would then proceed as follows : — 



September 1, 1921. 20 ducklets (Flock A) put in Pen I. 

 September 1, 1922. 20 ducklets (Flock B) put in Pen 2. 

 September 1, 1923. 20 ducklets (Flock C) put in Pen 1. 

 November, 1923. Flock A sold out of Pen 1 when their 



autumn production of eggs ceases. 

 September 1, 1924. 20 ducklets (Flock 1) put in Pen 2 and 



Flock B sold in November. 

 Thus each season a new flock is introduced early in September 

 to replace an old flock which is sold in November. Each flock is 

 kept for two whole laying seasons and an exti'a autumn period. 

 Two flocks inhabit one pen for two or three months each autumn 

 until the older one is sold. If desired an extra sleeping pen may 

 be provided, in which case the new flock goes into a clean empty 

 pen, and the old flock is not disturbed by the appearance of the 

 new one. 



The following is the daily routine of work in connection with 

 each flock : — 



9.30 a.m. Open gate, count ducks out, collect eggs, shut gate. 

 Towards dusk, open gate, put mash in trough, count ducks in, 

 shut gate. Sec that cockle shell in abundance, and drinking 

 water are available. At regular intervals clean the sleeping pens 

 as thoroughlv as it is possible and give them a good dressing 

 of hme. 



It is convenient to mix two or three weeks' supply of 

 mash at one time so that it is only necessary at the time of 

 feeding to wet sufficient for that meal. 12 to 15 per cent, by 

 weight of the standard mash mixture should consist of good fish- 

 meal, the bulk of the remainder can be ground oats with about 10 

 per cent, of bran. Other foods can be used but these are satis- 

 factory, simple and are obtained easily. The attendant should 

 also have a supply of fishmeal which may ho used to encourage 

 egg production if suitable care is taken. If the ducks are not 

 laying sufficiently well, or if theio is less natural food available 

 than usual, a little more fishmeal should hv added to the mnsh. 



