Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-12-07
agricultural 9epartment.
LARGE PROFITS MADE FROM
DUCKS

LARGE PROFITS MADE FROM
DUCKS.
The visitors to the recent state
fair perhaps noticed the large hatch
OF dncklings made by Mr.. James
Rankin. of South Easton, Mass, in
his incubator which he had on exhi-
bition. His experience, which is
given for the benefit of our readers,
is very interesting. The question of
how much land is required for rails
ing poultry may be answered by say
inc that on q tract not exceeding an
acre Mr. Rankin cleared a profit of
$1,575 from ducklings. His adult
flock consists of thirty-fve ducks,
and the profits average $40 for each
duck, or more than is realized from
the same number Of dairy cows on
many farms. He uses the Pekins,
DuG tllhho CiOSS DelWS6D ludl
breed and the Aylesbury superior to
either parent. His adult ducks 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
Matched in incubators, from which
5000 ducklings were raised to the
age of from eight to ten weeks and
mark eted, the price received in the
Boston market being thirty cents per
pound for those that came in early,
and eighteen cents per pound for
those that were late, the average
price being twenty two cents per
pound.
AS ducklings grow much faster
than chicks, and are subject to fewer
diseases, they not only reach the
market in a short time after being
hatched but the per cent of loss was
very small, which, Of course, is due
to the careful attention they receiv-
ed. They also come into market af-
ter chicks are low in price. They
attain the weight of from eight to
ten pounds per pair at the age Of
eight weeks, being ready for market
in three months from the time the
eggs are put into the incubator, four
weeks heiDg allowed for incubation.
The extraordinary weight shows an
increase of half pound per week
from the date Of birth for each duck,
but as they increase faster as they
become older, until maturity, those
over six weeks of age increased at
the rate of one pound per week. The
cost of raising each duckling to the
age of eight weeks was five cents
per pound, the average price per
pound for each ducllling being TWEEN
ty-two cents. Mr.. Rankin's profit
was seventeen cents per pound, and
by calculation it will be seen that the
5000 ducklings produced over 49,
900 pounds of meat, which yielded
over $4,000. Other expenses, sucl
I as quarters, attendance, etc., reduc.
ed the profit to 81 ,575, or $40 as the
produce of each adult duck of the
thirty-fve. The young ducks hat
no access to water, except for drink
ing purposes, and were fed in the
same manner as chicks, except tina
they require more animal food anC
must be fed often, owing to thei
rapid growth.
Mr.. Rankin's experience is valua
BILE to all who are interested in poul
try, and q few excellent lessons arr
taught In the first place but lttl
land was required, and in the secont
place he discarded the scrubs, usin!
the best breeds to be found, whicl
Il are pure white in color, with yellow
$, legs and beaks. The young duck
II lings were killed and sent to marke
dressed, each yielding from an ounc
to two ounces Of feathers, at fit,
a. cents pound, which paid the ex
k pense of preparation for the market
ID There is no secret in Mr.. Rankin
$. success, as all that was required wa
Sc to attend to them as business. Il
" fact, he makes it business, just a
a dairyman gives his COWS his atten
a. ton, and finds that it pays. III
% does not attempt to conduct som
ey other business, and stlook AFTER hi
nc nc. poultry in his spare time, but is wit
them early and late. The figure
no given here ale the profits from duck
rs. lings only. He matches and raise
et thousands of chicks, however, usin
- incubators entirely, and does nc
to think it a very difficult matter
make poultry pay.
or
he IMPROVING THE FARI.-No farme
~ should allow the autumn to pas
away without making some eperms
nd nent Improvement upon his premises
A little done each year will soon /