The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-01-28
INDIAN RUNNER pucAs.


Everyone knows something OF the
tmmensity of the poultry business,
but few people realize the possibili-
ties Of ducks, especially the breed
ing of Indian Runner Ducks.
There are many points in favor OF
raising ducks, as they are free from
hce, roup, scabby legs or other dis
eases SO common to chickens With
the right kind Of care and attention
they are easily raised. Some one
has said that when Matched they are
half raised, unless an accident be-
falls them.
Running water is not at all neces-
sary for their development, but they
require plenty Of clean fresh water
6or drinking.
The peculiar markings and racy
appearance OF Indian Runner ducks
make them very attractive, and to
Gee them is to admire them. But
what is best of all is their egg pro
ducing qualities, Surprising anything
vet produced. Nearly every duck lays
an egg nearly every day the year
round except during the moulting
season. II given the proper feed and
attention. BY attention we mean the
every day kind. not the haphazard
way What is worth doing at all is
worth doing we'll
Indian Runner Ducks are great for
ayers and find a part Of their feed
when given free range, but they can
be successfully handled in limited
quarters, a two-foot fence being suf-
ficient to enclose them.
It Is surprising to know the num-
Der Of ducklings that may be raised
on sag small piece of ground. They
can be raised with less loss than
chickens, and may be kept in larger
Hocks. They are easy keepers, and
we ind a great deal of pleasure in
caring for them.
Their quarters must be kept clean,
saw dust, sand or coal ashes, make
coed covering for their runs.
While they are hearty eaters, they
are also rapid growers, and will in
crease in weight about twice as fast
as chickens, reaching market size
In nine or ten weeks, providing they
are given proper feed and attention.
y II winter eggs are wanted laying
ducks should have an enclosed house,
but after May first they do better
# allowed to run out all the time.
but should be penned at night. Every
morning about nine o'clock the real
fun begins. AT this time the ducks
are let out of their roosting pens. 1t
Is a beautiful sight to see so many
eggs lying around on the ground, and
what a pleasure 1t is to pick up those
nice large eggs. The eggs are larg-
or than hens eggs and they command
from cents to 10 cents per dozen
higher than hens eggs in city mar
kets.
81 Keep one drake for every six or
eight ducks, and fatten the remainder
Tor market when nine or ten weeks
old. But eggs are what you should
work for. and the flock should be
large enough to enable you to mar
ket them by the case. The demand
for fresh duck eggs is never over
stocked.
They are great layers and a flock
of we'll bred Indian Runner ducks
can safely be depended upon to aver
age $50 to 1870 eggs per year. while
many individuals make a record of
200 or more.
Any one who takes up the business
with the end in view Of making 1t
profitable, must not begin in a list
less, skeptical way, but become an
enthusiast, knowing that ability and
energy can do what others are do
Ing.
Success depends on the manage
ment and the management depends
on the man. On his Judgment hinges
the question OF profit and loss. Thu
most successful poultry keepers are
those who carefully attend to the
small details. Mrs. y. j. Wingate,
In the Indiana Farmer.