Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-22
DUCK RAISING.
A New Industry that Has Proven a FL
nADcial Success.


naDcial Success.
James Rankin, Or South Easton, Mass,
makes duck raising a special feature of
his farm, and the following sketch of his
experience will be interesting to many of
our readers:
The question of how much land is re-
quired for raising poultry may be answer
ed by saying that on tract not exec eding
an acre Mr.. Rankin cleared profit of
5 ,575 from ducklings. His adult flock
consists Of 30 ducks, and the profits av-
erage $40 for each duck, or more than is
realized from the same number Of dairy
COWS on many farms.
He uses the Pekins. but thinks q cross
between that breed and the Aylesbury SUI
! perior to either parent. His adultducks are
allowed large trough, through which
fresh water constantly flows, which is
/ used for bathing purposes. The number
/ Of eggs last year was $40 from each duck.
\ The eggs were hatchedin incubators, from
which 5000 duckliugs were raised to the
/ age OF from to 10 weeks and marketed.
/ the price received in the Boston market
/ being zoe. per pound for those that came
! in early lSc. per pound for those that were
late, the average price being 22c. per
pound
! AS ducklings grow much faster than
/ chicks, and are subject TO fewer diseases,
they not only reached the market in a
| short time alter being Matched, but the
! percentage Of loss was very small, which,
4 Of course, is due 20 the careful attention
| they received. They also come into mar.
ket after chicks are low in price. They
I attain the weight Of 8 to 10 pounds per
PAIR ut the age of weeks, being ready
/ for market in three months from the time
/ the eggs are put Hin the incubator, four
weeks being allowed for incubation. This
| extraordinary weight shows an increase
of half pound per week from date OF
birth for each duck, but as they increase
faster as they become older, until maturi-
~, those over weeks Of age increased at
the rate OF pound per week.
The cost OF raising each duckling TO the
! age OF weeks was 30. per pound, the aV.
eraRe price per pound for each duckling
pc. MIR. Rankin's profit was 17c. per
| pound, and by calculation il will be
seen that the 5000 ducklinRs produced
over 10000 pounds Of meat which yielded
over $1,000. Other expenses, such as
quarters. attendance, etc., reduced the
| profit 10 1913, or $40 as the produce OF
each adult duck OF the 30. The young
ducks had no access 10 water. except for
drinking purposes, and were fed in the
/ same manner as chicks, except that they
require more animal food, and must he
/ fed often, owing 10 their rapid growth.
| Mr.. Rankin's experience is valuable 10
all who are interested in poultry, and a
| few excellent lessons are taught. In the
first place, but little land was required,
and in the second place, he discarded the
scrubs, using the best breeds 10 b. found,
which are pure white In color, wits vel.
low legs and beaks. The youngducklings
/ were killed and sent TO market dressed,
each yielding from an ounce 10 two
ounces Of feathers, at soc. pound.
which paid the expense Of preparation
I for market
There ~ no secret IN Mr. Raukn's sue.
/ cess, as al that was required was 20 at.
/ tend 10 them rs a business. In fact, he
makes 10 "A business, Just az a dairyman
gives bis COWS his attention, ana finds
] that u pays. He does not attempt 20 con,
I duct some other business and "l0Ok alter
bis poultry I'M the spare time. but IL with
them early and late. The figures given
here are the PROFITS from ducklings only
lie matches ana raises thousands 81
| chicks, however, using incuhnt0ls eu
TREY and does not think 10 difficult mat
Ter 10 make poultry pay
Dr. Ploroos pleasant Purgauvo Pei
loten cleanse and purify the blood and Fe