308 DUCKS AND DUCK-BREEDING. 

clean and be well ventilated, otherwise great loss would 
occur through disease. It is desirable, where possible, to 
use different ground each year, or, on small holdings, to give 
the runs a rest for several months. 
FEEDING. 
Ducks are rather gross feeders, and recent experiments in 
America have supported experience on this side that nitro- 
genous food is essential to ensure a plentiful supply of eggs 
and fertility. Their natural food consists largely of slugs, 
etc. Hence, meat is desirable. During the breeding season 
old ducks should not have food of a fattening nature supplied 
to them. The most suitable food is barley meal mixed with 
an equal portion of thirds or fine sharps, and with this should 
be mixed some cooked lean meat. Butcher’s offal, when not 
fatty, is excellent for the purpose. The food should be given 
warm, and of the consistency of stiff porridge. Where the 
birds are at liberty, they only require two meals per diem, 
early in the morning and about an hour before dusk. Near 
by must be water for them to drink, or they will not feed 
properly. 
In feeding ducklings, as great a variety of food as possible 
should be supplied. Barley meal, cheap oatmeal, boiled rice, 
each with about one-fourth of fine sharps, will afford change of 
diet. But with these should be mixed cooked lean meat or 
tallow greaves. In the duck districts the last named are 
largely employed, but in many districts carcases of animals 
can be obtained. If the ducklings are to be grown as breed- 
ers, the food recommended is continued until they are fully 
matured. Indian meal is often used on account of its low 
price, but it is deficient in albuminous elements, and must be 
largely fortified in that direction. Hence it cannot be re- 
commended, and is not as cheap as many appear to think. 
Where the ducklings are to be killed at an early age, the 
system referred to is only continued for five weeks, when it 
is changed with the object of filling up the frame. 
