Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-10-03
agricultural,
Management of DWekS.

There are four kinds OF domestic ducks
that claim our attention, viz Ay,esbury
Rouen, Cayuga and Pekin each having
its admirers. do not propose to discuss
their comparative merits here, but will
simply state that, for good reasons, l pre-
fer them in the order named. l have
omitted MuscoyyS, because | have little
to say Of them. Their ughueSS and de-
structiveneSs Is beyond endurance, and j
advise all who are unaequainted with
them never to seek an introduction.
1t Is q mistaken idea that pond or
stream Is absolutely necessary to success
in raising ducks, for, although it Is bent-
fetal, it Is not necessity. Those who
have a iOndneSS for ducks can succeed
with them without a bOuntitul supply Of
water, yet they will not thrive in ccn6ue-
ment. If one has only a small yard he
should not keep more than q pair or q
trio, but dozen or more can be kept viii
profit if they have the range Of a pasture
or meadow.
Ducks are great ioragerS, and should
have good range. 1t Is not enough to
give them pen extending into pond or
stream. They should be free to roam over
fields, where they may be seen at early
dawn seeking worms aud insects, their
favorite diet When this can be allowed
them, they should never be ted in the
morning. Feed only once a day, at night
then they will be sure to return for their
evening meal, and may be penued up 81
as to secure their eggs, which are deposit
cd about day-break.
The color Of the egg varies consider
ably. The first eggs Of the season laid
by Cayugas are generally almost black
and the color of the Others is pale green,
but they soon lose their shades, and are
creamy white color; although l have
known Rouens to lay greeni>h co.ored
eggs Throughout the season. This diver
sity OF shade cannot be accounted Tor.
The size Of the egg Is double that OF u
hens egg, very sure to be fertile, and bear
transportation sp.eadid.y. | have tre-
quentiy sent them distance %. i've hut
dred to fifteen hundred miles, and from
ninty 10 one hundred per cent. Matched ;
but only from two 70 four ducks are a.
lowed with one drake. Perhaps tina,
number may be increased 70 SIX or eight,
but l have never rISked 1t.
| have tried 10 hatch ducks eggs under
ducks, but have always failed conse-
quently | place them under heus and pa,
several brOOis together. After they are
hatched, duckliugs should be kept in a
dry yard, containing 4 good shelter
Never allow them free use o. streams or
ponds till they are SIX weeks old. Ii L.
not necessary to feed them boiled egg,
l always use corn and eats ground to-
gether, and wheat bran in equal portions
by measure, mixed aud sca.ded. Never
feed raw mush. Ground worms are es-
peeiaIly beneficial to duckliugs,an should
be supplied them every day if possible !;
If not, animal food should be gives them
IN some shape. Beef liver or other cheap
meat may be cooked aud chopped for
them, and eed stirred in the broth while
IT Is boiling hot. Thus nothing Is lost
Never feed whole or unlocked grain %
dueklings till they are well fedged then
alternate with cracked corn, whole corn,
or other grain, once day, but continue
the soft TODD. Ifwhole grain is fed them
when young, frothy substance appears
in their eyes, the beak becomes sore, and
death soon follows. You can get along
without a bountiful supply Of water, but
not without animal food and soft food.
Poultry Bulletin.