The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-13
THE DUcK.RAIsINa BUSINESS.

ress.
THE DUcK. RAISING BUSINESS.
The duck. raising business is un-
doubtedly still in its infancy, though
it must be admitted to have made great
strides within the past few years. Or
iginally confined to only few, it has
spread rapidly through many parts of
the East and is extending into the
West as farmers understand better the
details of the business and the salts
factory returns it makes. - @
Nobody denies that there is money,
in chickens if 'skillfully managed and!
marketed; bat those who have tried it:
find there is much more in ducks. The
latter require less care, are much freer
from disease and insects thsn chickens,
and their quick maturity enables the
rapid turning over of money. In adj
dition to these must be noted the
higher market price. iii. =
Although ducks will lay an occa-
sionsl egg during the winter months,
yet they do not regularly. start in un-
tilFebruary. They will then continue
to lay for about five months, with D
few brief intermissions, $50 eggs per
annum being good average. In
msting, one drake to six ducks is suf-
ficient. As they lay for long time
before becoming broody, it is neces-
,sary to,employ aninchbator or o hen
for the earliest broods. For that mat
ter, many duck;raisers employ hens
exclusively for this part of the busi-
ness, as they make better mothers than
ducks and are less clumsy in their
movements. Duck eggs require
twenty eight days for hatohing. The
young ducks should not be fed until
they are twenty-four hours old. Their
first meal should consist of hard boiled
eggs mixed with oatmeal, or stale
bread crumbs soaked in milk. After
few days they may be given scalded
cornmeal or mashed boiled potatoes
fed warm. Grass, clover and other
green food should also be fed, as we'll
as kitchen waste. Greens of some kind
are an absolutefnecsssity to ducks
Dampness is particularly fatal to
young ducks and must be carefully
guarded against. Plenty of fresh
water must be supplied them for
drinking purposes, but in such yes-
sci as to prevent their getting wet.
They should be kept away from ell
ponds until fully fedged. After this
access to water promotes cleanliness
and health. ....
Ducks of all ages are much heartier
eaters than chickens, but their gain is
in proportion, and they are ready for
market long before, so that the cost of
production per pound ID no more and
the returns are more rapid. They are
but little troubled with lice, if proper
care has been taken to keep the
mother hen free from these pests.
Their chief troubles are cramps, leg
weakness and indigestion. The first
two are due to damp quarters or over
feeding, while the indigestion, which
shows itself by froth IN the eyes, pur-
pie mandibles, etc., result from TOO
much uncooked grain. Sudden death
is usually attributed to Large lice.
Ducks require no roosts, but tha
floor of their houses should DO well
covered with cut straw and the litter
frequently renewed. The droppings
of the ducks make excellent manure.
Many people object to duck-raising on
the plea that they make everything
muddy and filthy. While there is
some truth in this the birds them
selves are much cleaner than chickens
and the work of caring for them is
lighter and less offensive. Those who
have once gone into the business stay
in it and generally do less grumbling
than other folks. - -, - -,
I am not advising everybody to quit
embarrassing and 60 in for ducks;
but I do think every farmer should
keep a few, and after he has gained
experience and found his market he
can start in on q more extended scale
if the prospect is encouraging, as It
generally is. But to make money IN
these days it is essential to stop all
leaks, to learn the quickest and cheap
est method OF doing effective work
and to cut tsdown expenses to the mini
mum. These points are as necessary
for the duck-rsiser to remember and
observe as they ARE for the manufac-
turer or merchant.-New York World.