Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-08

AChapter on Ducks.

The best breed of ducks, that is the
most profitable breed, is question that l
have never yet fully settled in my own
mind. but most of the fanciers will agree
that the best two breeds are the Pekin and
the Rouen The first has only been bred
in America since 1873, believe. the first
importation from China having been made
in that year. They are white or creamy
white in color with pure yellow bills aud
reddish orange shanks and feet. Some
specimens have black "bead' in the end
of the bill, but they should never be bred
as that is disqualification. Their wings
are very short showing that they have
been domesticated for long time.
Pekin ducks require less water than any
other breed, and [ have fine flock of them
that never had enough water to swim in
since they were Matched last spring until
within a week since. when heavy rams
have made ponds in every low place IN
the ground. Specimens OF this breed
have been grown to weigh % pounds per
pair.
Rouen ducks originated near the city OF
Rouen, France. from which place they
were taken to England. thence to Ameri-
ca. They rival the Pekins in size and in
beauty they excel them. The head of the
drake is rich metallic green and the bill
is greenish yellow with black bean at
the tip. The neck Is the same color as
the head with white ring around the
lower part. For a long time fanciers
tried to breed them with this white ring
entirely around the neck, but found it i'm
possible to do so without sacrificing other
points, and now they are bred so the ring
does not quite meet at the back. Any
white in the neck of the duck Is disqual-
ification. The breast is lustrous chest
nut color, shading off to an ashy gray.
The wings are gray. crossed with a broad
bar of purple giving off metallic ref1ec-
tons, and the legs and feet are brownlsh
orange in color. The Rouen duck IS
brown in color with pencilings OF black
with greenish bars across the wings.
They are the nearest approach in color
and markings to the wild Mallard duck OF
anv breed in domestication. The ducks
do not procure quite SO many eggs as the
Pekins, averaging about hundred dur
ing the year, but, with either breed, the
keeping has much to do with size and egg
production.
Next to the Rouen. came the Aylesbury
ducks They are smaller than either of
the breeds named above, but are very
much in favor with English fancies, prob
ably on account of their adaptability to
the English climate. They do fairly well
here. but have never become popular, and
since the Pekbs are becoming dissent
mated they are losing ground. Aylesburys
are pure white and grow to weigh II
pounds per pair with ordinary good
care.
The Cayuga duck is the only distinc-
lively American breed of ducks that is
domestcated. They originated, it is said,
along the shores OF Cayuga lake in New
York. They have been greatly improved
within few years, but do not seem to
meet the popular taste, and are not bred
to as great an extent as their merits de-
serve. They are pure black throughout
their plumage.
Muscovy ducks came originally from
Brazil, and get their name from their Pc
culiar musky odor which disappears with
cooking. There are two kinds, colored
and white, and are remarkable for differ
ence in size between the drake and duck :,
the former frequently weighing from 10
to II pounds, while the latter hardly ever
weighs over pounds. They roost on
trees and fences, and will fly a mile to get
to water. The duck lays but few eggs,
the size of hens eggs. Altogether do
not consider them worth breeding. Be-
sides those, there are few other breeds.
but they are all bred more for ornament
than use.-MILLER PURvIs in Kansas city
Lire Stock Record