New-York tribune., 1907-04-09

There are 1000 hens IN the laying department The
daily product Of this immense flock Is from lVo 70
J. 200 eggs At intervals throughout the day the
eggs are collected. the date stamped upon them,
then they are wrapped nicely in tissue paper.
packed neatly IN boxes holding dozen each' and
the chances that II blddy cackles before noon'
her egg will be broken that same evening by some
cook he prepares the o'clock meal TOT the
guests In New York hotel
Part Of tho business OF the plant consists in sup
plying young ducks and chickens 70 summer hotels
clubs, high class restaurants. steamship lines ana
market dealers who cater TO the best trade OF the
big cities. These brOilers command a high price
pair OF ducks ten weeks old sell In the market
for Sc 90 An 1rishnan has the reputation OF rais-
ing the finest ducks that so into the Eastern mar
ket Pat came over from the Old Country as
stowaway. got job on duck ranch. made a study
Of the life and habits OF the fowl, and now ne is
a recognized authority on the science OF producing
fine specnens. He knows all sorts Of tricks about
tho business. For instance. Just before he sends
his birds 10 market he puts something IN their
food that makes their skins as yellow as butter
When these rich looking fowls come into the mar
ket with Pats little tin trade mark sticking IN
their bills the dealers always pay more than the
market price for theEl II Pat makes up his
mnd 10 go back TO Ireland he won't have to so rs
a stow1way.
Ducks are more difficult to raise than chickens
because they are cowardy. The difference be-
tween the two is noticeable from the start When
a number of chickens liberated from the in
cubators they walk boldly out into the light and
begin critical survey OF their surroundings.
DuckIings will peep timidy out OF the incubators.
become alarmed at the strange sights their young
ewes behold for the first time. and make dash FOR
the darkest corner available II takes considerable
coaxing to get them 10 venture out and make
start for themselves and strange to say. they do
not outgrow their fear. When a stranger enters
their pen they rush Npellmer to the opposite side
and pile upon each other several feet deep As
result ~ such a scare there will always be several
dead ducks and number Of crippled ones
II is Estimated that duck loses in weight every
time II is frightened so II IS matter OF good bust
ness 10 keep strangers away from their pens. and
fev- visitors are allowed 20 go there. One of the
best ways 10 get flock Of ducklings TO venture
out and forage for themselves Is to put little
chicken among them. They are quick TO follow a
leader and when Young Mr.. Chicken. who is not
afraid leads off. the ducks are right after him.
They improve their habits and get better manners
from associating with the chickens but they never
outgrow their timidity. light has to be kept
burning in their pens all night and the keepers
go through at regular intervals II the duckings
are left alone in the dark. il is not long until the
vivid imagination OF one OF them cOn1ures up
something at which to get scared lie will sound
an alarm and the panic which follows is some
thing terrible. Ducks become very fond of the
men who feed and care for them. but any other
breathing thing them to so 10 pieces.
The science OF raising poultry by the use OF in
DfOONeFS
that there are mere machine-made fowls than
those who owe their existence to the watchfu care
of old biddy. their natural mother. One has
tendency pity the shrinking little orphans when
they stagger out of the incUbatorS with barely /
enough strength 20 tOddls along They are moth J
eress lot OF little wallis. who have 10 face life I
without the protection and sympathy OF parental |
care. but they seem TO set along we'll. and prob
ably do not miss old b!ddy's attentions on account
of never having known them
When feeding time the keepers have q
peculiar call. which never fails to bring the tiny
feathered beauties in from every direction.
The attendants also have alarm call. which is
sort OF imitation of the whirTing noise OF hawks |
wings. in event of a storm coming up suddenly |
they can clear tho yards In less time than IL takes
to tell 1t by sounding this alarm, for which the
little birds soon learn to be on the lookout. The |
natural enemy OF the young chicks and ducklings /
Is the rat. hut ferTets kept the place, and
the loss from the depredatiOns OF the rodent Is
small FREDERIC ]. EASKIN.
Mr.. Haskin's article tomorrow will be more |
about the poultry industry.