The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-02-20
THE YARD.

careful handling and feeding or his
birds and when necessary, handle
gently, always tazing the bird by the
neck. This is essential, as the bones OF
a well bred, we'll fatted duck seems
wholly di=prOpOrtiOned ID the size ana
weight OF his body and the limbs may
be broken in an attempt TO escape
when beng caught. Move quietly
among the layers if you would nave
them thrive. l have known a PAIR o.
heavy exhibition birds to lose a pound
per day during heir confinement the
first four days of exhibition and to be
eight pounds lighter than they were 10
days before they were started for the
show. Their representative powers are
equally wonderful. The majority Of
people believe water is necessary TO
battle in to secure fertility Of duck
eggs. NY ducks never see water ex-
eept to drink the year round. They
are confined in these yards for nine
months, or until Aug. 1, when they are
removed in order that the land may be
disinfected. This is done by blowing
and growing a crop of barley Or rye,
when the land is ready for the ducks
again. During autumn and early win
ter months feed twice each day about
equal quantities of corn meal, wheat
bran and boiled turnips and potatoes,
with about 10 per cent. Of ground beef
scrap thrown in. At OOn givea small
amount of dry food, composed Of equal
quantities of cracked corn, t and
wheat. When the birds commence
laying. as they will about Jan. 1,
gradually increase the quantity OF
meal and animal food, prOportlCnately
decreasing the amount of bran. l like
the Pekin duck, as it lays earliest ana
will grow the largest number Of pounds
of flesh in the shortest time. IL also
natures earlier, is more hardy and do
nestle in its habits, never wandering
far and always returning to the cOops
at night. They are not mischlevOus
and require less water than either OF
the other breeds.
TIE BEGINNER WITH DUCKS n CHICKS
IN starting N should recOllecC that this
is a business OF detail and that small
things must be taken into account.
The best breeding stock must be
selected as well as the color Of the
feathers. The feathers Of white birds
command nearly double the price OfcOl-
cred ones md are always more sAleable.
The early maturity of birds Is Of vital
Importance. Many think 1t makes LO
difference if BIRDS are three or four
weeks longer III maturing Let us see.
If it takes 10 weeks to grow 5 lbs. of
6esh on one bird and IA weeks on AN,
ether, the one must necessarily cost
more than the othe per pound, simply
because you have to sustain life four
weeks longer IN one case than III the
ether and that cannot be done for notn-
ing. That Is why, though l can easily
grow a pound of duck for 5 cts, l must
have s cts. TO grow a pound Of chicken,
because the ducks will AXE ON five
pounds Of flesh III 10 weeks, while the
chicken requires 20 weeks to obtain the
GAA4 GAAO IL ONSAAJ LIZ O4CSNC4
secure his stock, erect his buildings
and Is then ready for business. The
next thing Is 10 feed them well, keep
them warm and comfortable, giving
them as great a variety Of green food
as is CbCalnable during the winter
months, in order to induce early lay
ing and insure fertility of the eggs.
Yhls matter requires close attention be
cause the profits in one week Of the
early market will always equal the |
profits IN four or five of the late. In
the spring there should be one drake
to 5 or + ducks and later in the season
enc drake to 10 ducks. The feeding
boxes should be long and roomy; mine
are 6X7 tt long, 8 in. wide and 3 IN.
deep. Do not keep food by them, as it
will clog their appetites, affect the egg
production as we'll as the condition of
the birds. The natural food of the
duck Is principally vegetable and ami
NAL food which is obtained in brooks,
Puddles, swales, etc. Unlike the hen
the duck has no crop, consequently it
does not assimilate or thrive on hard
food. In March and April, If the ducks
refuse TO lay when being fed a hard
food such as corn, try a soft food and
they will invariably resume flesh and
begin laying.
AS TO INCUBATORS
AS hens show no desire to incubate
when you want them to the most or in
time to command the higa prices for