1905.] 



Duck Raising. 



467 



any heat at all ira the mild season, being simply kept in small 

 boxes, wherein their own body heat is sufficient, but it is wise 

 to be on the safe side. 



Feeding. — Ducklings should have an abundance of fresh air,and 

 be fed at regular intervals upon a highly nitrogenous diet. 

 Meat in one form or another appears to be essential, and ex- 

 periments have shown that without meat growth is slow, 

 the birds being easily affected by chills, which are fatal. 

 A plentiful supply of worms will suffice, otherwise meat 

 must be supplied. Tallow greaves are extensively used in the 

 uck districts, but other forms are equally good. For the 

 highest-priced ducklings cooked rice is largely employed, but 

 when meat is used amy of the ordinary meals may be used, 

 except that maize should be mixed with thirds or toppings, as 

 it is too fattening and stimulating if fed alone. 



Housing. — Ducklings can bear a considerable amount of ex- 

 posure after they are three weeks old. Many " duckers " keep 

 them in houses built like pigsties, with an open yard in front. 

 Another method is to enclose plots of ground, about eight to the 

 acre, with wire-netting a foot in height. In each park or run is 

 placed a small house, which may be of the simplest character. 

 Packing cases answer excellently for the purpose with a little 

 alteration, the lid forming the door, a few holes being made for 

 ventilation, additional cases being provided as the inmates grow 

 beyond the accommodation. But during the later part of the 

 rperiod of growth such protection can be dispensed with, and they 

 may be allowed to remain in the open day and night. Under 

 such conditions it is sometimes necessary during the prevalence 

 of high winds or driving rain to hang sacking over the netting 

 as a measure of shelter. In America more elaborate provision 

 is made, in that long ranges of shedding are provided, divided 

 inside into compartments by foot-high boards, and having small 

 runs outside formed by wire-netting. Sheds of this descrip- 

 tion exist in this country. Under such a system there must be 

 a considerable waste in the manure produced and an increased 

 danger of the runs becoming tainted. As these large houses 

 cannot be moved the plan of moveable pens is to be preferred, 

 and the same ground should not be used for the ducks for more 

 than four years. The cost of removal of runs is small, and 

 more than compensated by the crops or feed secured. 



