The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-26
Pekin Ducks.

Pekin Ducks.
NJ. S. Perkins, writing to the Country
Gentleman, says: THE Chinese breed of
ducks called Pekin, from the capital OF
China, is the most popular variety in this
country, and. without doubt, is bred far
more extensively than all other breeds OF
ducks combined. 1t possesses an attractive
appearance, independent Of It's economic
value, being of creamy white plumags
throughout, with deep, yellow bill and
orange-colored legs showing in strong COM
trast. Add to this, massive weight, good
yellow skin and tender, juicy meat. and we
have bird worthy the attention Of every
practical market poulterer.
In breeding ducks of any variety, it is of
hrSt importance to select large old breeding
stock, from which to secure eggs for hatch
ing purposes. Ducks from TO years old
lay larger eggs, which, in turn, hatch larger
and more vigorous progeny than Is the case
with young breeding stock. The Pekin
usually begins to lay in January or Feb
ruary, and continues four or five months
laying well nigh every day during this
period. As soon as the flock of breeders is
laying freely, the eggs should be incubaGed
In order to insure large fine ducklings. There
are strong points IN favor OF early hatch -
ing. First, the parent stock then possesses
maximum vitality, and, second, long sea-
son is given the duoklings for development.
AS the duck IS not particular where she LAYS
her egg, it is necessary TO confine her in the
pen till the middle OF the forenoon, in order
that the eggs may all be laid in the coop.
The fertility or the eggs is surprising, some
times reaching 30 per cent. Period of in
cubation Is four weeks, during the latter
part of which IL is well to sprinkle tho eggs
two or three times with water at 1922, to
render the shell and lining tender and easily
broken
"Ducklings are quite tender wheu first
Matched, being very susceptible to cold
from dampness, They consequently must be
cooped in a dry location, and allowed only
water TO drink. Indeed, they will not en-
dure wetting VI on the back until the down
has been replaced by permanent feathers,
which occur when they are about two
months old. The opening in the water dish
should be only large enough to admit the
passage Of the head, 50 that they cannot wet
one another.
"The food of young ducklings should con-
sist at first of bread crumbs mixed with
hard boiled eggs and milk. Oatmeal, " heat,
cora bread, aud daily supply of freshly
cut clover will conduce TO a rapid growth.
Animal food, in the shape Of beef scraps.
worms and ground butchers bones, will all
be greatly relIshed by them. As they grow
to maturity they will eat almost anything.
being very hearty and fond of all kinds of
food. Good account can be made Of all the
skim-mllk and buttermilk THAI can be
spared. 'Fee1 oftea, with nutritious
food is a proper maxim in duck culture.
Each season the largest and best of the
young stock should be selected for future
breeders. and the flock improved in this
way. A flock Of ten or a dozen ducks should
be kept upon every farm, as they may be
fed mainly upon every farm. as they may be
fed mainly upon the ordinary waste that
usually falls to the trough of the pig.
Probably large flock would not be found
profitable, except in favorable location,
where nearness to good market and cheap
food exist The latter desideratum is found
along the seaeoast, where each succeeding
tide washes upon the fats numerous species
OF small fish, and where muscles. clans. ecr. -,
are found in abundance. Hence the reason
of the extensiy We duck culture all along the
shore of Cape Cod. In such cases, how
ever, they should be fed literally with grain
and some form of green food, some time be-
fore they are Killed for market"