The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-03-11
MANAGEMENT OF DUCKS.

Having raised nearly all the lead
ing varieties Of ducks for the last
six or eight years, andin very linn
tied accommodations, perhaps I can
make plain my method to all inter-
ested. A great deal has been writ
tenrabout the Importance of large
pond or stream in raising ducks,
and the folly of fkeeping them with
out such water. In my own case
I have proved by experience that
tub or pail kept full is all that is
necessary to rear ducks With per-
feet success. I have won number
less prizes upon ducks, which have
never been in water since they
were hatched. With regard to the
duck-house, many standard works
on poultry advise = ground or brick
floor in preference to one Of plank.
I have tried all three plans, aad
find thatsthe ground or brick floor
in a duck house will bring on paraly-
sis, rheumatism and many other
complaints.
Ihave the floor Of my house
made ofinch plank, raised one foot
or more from the ground, on stone
piers, thus advoiding all dampness.
This plan, also, enables terrier
to "elean out" the rats, which
would otherwise burrow under the
building. Large win do VS. are
placed on the.south, the doors open
ing under such windows, opening
to q small ''run," or s'waddle. =" In
winter the floor is covered with q
thin bedding, of hay-in summer
with saw-dust,.. (which, being an ex-
cellent absorbent, ssrendcrs the air
at all times sweet and pure. When
the bedding becomes foul it is
swept out and the floor washed
with hot water. I raise the Rouen,
Crested Cuban, Musk, and com
mon breeds, each, Of course, hav-
ing separate apartment-that
of the Masks being provided with
roosting poles.
The best reproducing food is
another important point in raising
any variety Of ducks. After buy
ing every kind Of grain, I have
found that oats will produce large
numbers Of eggs where all other
food has failed. The best way to
feed oats is in a pail Of water the
exercise given the ducks by feeding
in this way will keep them in per-
feet health. With this treatment
my Musk ducks weigh, when
grown, viz: males twelve and one
half to fourteen pounds, females
nine pounds. My prize ducks at
the Connecticut show in 1859,
1870 and 1872, weighed q trlfe
over the above estimate. Differ
ent breeds Of ducks vary in the
time of incubation, Rouen, Cayau-
ga, Ayelsbury, and common duck
eggs Matching in four weeks, while
those of Musk improperly called
Muscovy) take five weeks. Their
eggs should generally be set under
hens, and Brahnas are best for
this purpose, being more steady
settlers ami better mothers. The
first food for ducklings when hatch
ed, should be the yolk Of a hard
boiled egg, and when q week old
oatmeal is excellent for them.-
When young, they should be coop
ed up until the sun is up, On ac-
count of the wet grass, which chills
and ruins more young fowls Of ali
kinds than any other cause
When three or four weeks old, they
may be liberated with the mother
and they will soon learn to go with
old ducks. Ducklings should nev-
be housed at night with the old
ducks, as they are liable to perse-
cueion from them. With this care
/ have had great success, and doubt
not that othersaawill have the same.
IF. w. B., in Ohio Farmer.
BEST TINE FOR PAINTING HOUSES.
IN, -. E. .:.t;, tl,n