LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 
U. S. Department of Agriculture, 
Bureau of Animal Industry, 
Washington, 1). C., September 24, 1897. 
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for publication as a Farmers’ Bulletin, 
an article on Ducks and Geese, prepared by Mr George E. Howard, secretary 
of the National Poultry and Pigeon Association. It comprises an enumeration of 
the standard breeds of ducks and geese, and contains suggestions for their man¬ 
agement. The practical information contained in this bulletin will undoubtedly 
prove of value to persons engaged in raising ducks and geese, and its publication 
and widespread distribution are respectfully recommended. The illustrations were 
drawn by the author from original sketches and photographs, with the exception of 
three of the cross-bred geese, which are after the illustrations published by the 
Rhode Island Experiment Station, and the wild goose, which is after the illustration 
in Wright’s Book of Poultry. The Luthor has received generous assistance in treat¬ 
ing of the practical details lWh James Rapkin, A. J. Hallock, George H. Pollard, 
and others who are largely engaged an tile raising of water fowls for market. 
Respectfully, ' «- 
, c 1 1 1 D. E. Salmon, Chief of Bureau. 
Hon. James Wilson, Secretary. 
CONTENTS. 
DUCKS. Page. 
Standard breeds of ducks. 3 
White Pekin ducks (illustrated). 4 
White Aylesbury ducks (illustrated). 5 
Colored Rouen ducks (illustrated). 8 
Black Cayuga ducks (illustrated). 10 
Colored and White Muscovy ducks (illustrated). 12 
Gray and White Call ducks (illustrated). 14 
Black East Indian ducks. 15 
Crested White ducks (illustrated). 17 
Management of ducks...„. 18 
Starting a plant (illustrated). 19 
Buildings for breeding ducks (illustrated). 20 
Brooding houses (illustrated). 22 
Supplying water (illustrated). 29 
Feeding. 30 
Mixing feed. 32 
How much to feed. 32 
Oyster shells and grit. 33 
Killing and dressing for market (illustrated). 33 
Development of the duckling in the egg. 34 
Natural incubation. 36 
Artificial incubation. 36 
geese. 
Standard breeds of geese. 38 
Gray Toulouse geese (illustrated). 38 
White Embden geese (illustrated). 39 
Gray African geese (illustrated). 40 
Brown and White Chinese geese (illustrated). 41 
Gray Wild geese (illustrated). 43 
Colored Egyptian geese (illustrated). 43 
Management of geese. 44 
Mating and setting. 45 
Feeding and dressing for market. 47 
Cross breeding (illustrated). 48 
9 
