32 
the breeding season is over and the ducks have stopped laying they 
are changed from this to the equal-parts ration, as given above for duck¬ 
lings from seven to fifty-six days old. 
MIXING FEED. 
The feeding stuffs should be mixed in a trough sufficiently large to 
hold the quantity without wasting over the edges. First mix the corn 
meal and bran together while dry; after these have mixed thoroughly, 
making an evenly colored mixture, it should be moistened with water 
and mixed to a dry, crumbly state. It should not be too wet or sloppy, 
as it is then not so good for the fowls, neither can it be handled and 
fed properly. Warm water should be used when the weather is excess¬ 
ively cold. In a second trough place the green foods, such as cut rye, 
oats, etc., and dampen with water; then mix the allowance of the Ho. 
2 grade flour with it. Thoroughly mix, so that the flour will completely 
cover the green stuff. After this has been done mix the flour and green 
mixture with the corn meal and bran mixture and add the allowance 
of beef scraps and sand. When vegetables are used, they should be 
well cooked before mixing in the rations. 
The duck raisers on Long Island use large quantities of fish for 
their breeding stock. This is known as the “ fish diet,” and is consid¬ 
ered as being very valuable to induce egg production. Where fish are 
cheap they form an excellent substitute for beef scraps in the rations 
for breeding ducks or ducks not intended for market, but under no 
circumstances should fish be fed to stock that will be marketed. Fish 
makes the flavor of the flesh strong and ducks fed on fish will not 
have ready sales in the market. The fish are cooked by boiling in iron 
camp kettles until well done, and then mixed, bones and all, in the 
rations as given above for breeding ducks. When fish is used the 
beef scraps are omitted. 
HOW MUCH TO FEED. 
The amount of feed needed each day for young ducks varies as much 
as does their growth. Their growth averages a half pound a week, 
and to make this increase of weight each week requires an additional 
quantity of food over the preceding one. The rule is, feed each meal 
what they will eat up clean with a relish, and do not allow them to 
linger over the feed trough. It is better they should have not enough 
than too much, as they will be in a much better condition to relish the 
next meal. One thing is considered to be of as much importance as the 
feed, and that is removing the feed left over and thoroughly cleaning 
the troughs after each meal. This is scrupulously attended to by suc¬ 
cessful duck raisers. 
One raiser gives, as a generous allowance for one day’s ration for one 
hundred laying ducks, the following: For the morning meal, 35 
quarts of the mash, and for the evening meal 40 quarts, making a total 
