The Portland daily press., 1877-06-05
THE PRESS.
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.


Raising Ducks.
1t is an erroneous idea that ducks cannot be
kept without water. They can be reared
just as easily as chickens, with only water
sufficient to drink. In fact, young ducks
should never be allowed stream OF water.
No one would think Of plunging newly.
Matched chicken into a basin OF water to
swim: neither does young ducks first idea
of the world lead to water-course, On the
contrary, they need to be kept dry and warm
for the first week at least, and also free from
vermin, Water will not cleanse them from
vermin. They are just as liable to the gapes
as chickens or turkeys, and frequently die OF
it. To be profitable, dncks require care, as
well as other ponltry. The old birds should
be kept from running stream. They will
follow stream great distance, and often
forget to return te their home, When allow.
ed to ramDle at will, they usually drop their
eggs in waste and marshy places, frequently
in the water; never making an attempt at a
nest; consequently the eggs are lost, or their
fretility is damaged by chilling exposure.
Ducks should be kept confined by them
selves in an enclosed yard. They do much
better. The female will then make regular
nests and deposit their eggs therein. A shall.
low trough, freshly filled with warter daily, is
all they require. Ducks are enormous feed.
6ISs 4uc1 Will iCCu w CVcly IuluS Uudt d
common barnyard fowl will eat, and a good
deal more, but can be stinted and do quite as
well. They will greedily eat meat, scraps
from the table, all kinds of grain, as we'll as
vegetable food. For this reason, it is not eX-
pendent to allow them a ruu with other
fowls. They consume all the food, and leave
the others in the lurch. Each variety should
be kept by itself. Ducks, when allowed to
mix with hens. annoy them greatly, but when
kept separate are rather interesting birds il
rightly managed. They are great layers, and
their eggs, athouge not reished so well by
some, are highly esteemed tor culinary pur-
poses. They are considered unsurpassed for
richness in forming custards and creams; but
for boiling there is perhaps no egg that excels
newly-laid egg of Spanish or Leghorn hen.
The white of ducks egg is slightly colored
and little strong; still there is difference
in ducks eggs, as there is iu hens eggs.
Ducks should not be allowed to range uI
and down a water course, picking up prear-
ious living, that takes more flesh from their
frames than it puts on, The practice of writ
ers Is to keep all kinds at stock and poultry in
good thriving condition, as otherwise they
are Improbable. 1t is better, unles one has
ample convenience and time on hand, not to
keep too large pen of breeding birds
however, this is just as ones means and
tastes suggest. Young ducks make rapid
growth, and in consequence heavy feeders.
They will come into market condition at
the age of three months, and readily COM
mand good price,. There are several varie-
ties, chief among which stands the Pekin,
Aylesbury and Round. Feather of these var.
ieties are large, and of cours require more
time to come TO maturity. The common,
small. gray ducks are very prolific and early
come up to maturity /; the female often raising
two brudes in one season. The young are
better Matched under the natural parent
They should be kept quiet, dry and warm fol-
three or four days after Matching, and be
given strong feed. Sweet siited Indian meal
scolded with boiling water, is the very besi
feed for growing birds. The dough should
not be too stiff, neither should it be too thin.
A little experience in the matter, however
will correct mattere in this respect. Sour,
musty feed, or meal of any description, is moi
suitable for poultary. 1t produces sour, hard
crop, and indigestion.
Young ducks are extremely fond of earth
worms and greedily devour them. for this
purpose they are early awake and abroad to
catch the first and latest worm that dares to
appear above the surface of the earth. They
are great forager, and delight in soft warm
raines. They will wonder off to the meadows
and serch for crickets and grasshoppers, and
soon learn to be apt at the business. On
119 of the current volume, D. G. E. of Cul.
pepper county, Va, makes the enquiry, how
many ducks to one drake. This is accord
ing to the vigor, activity and age of the
male in question. In ordinary cases, two
makes company and three would be a
crowd; that is, trio is sufficeny, but there
is something owing to the breed, or rather to
the ver:ety. This is matter for judgement
and experience to determine. Ducks lay
long clutches, and two females, with the
progeny thereof, would constitute large
flock in ono season. 80 Country Gentleman.