The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1911-12-15

INHitktlss IL Is the BleAleSt VI ceb
producers: II is also rather small IN
size. and MS table fowl is surpass-
ed by the larger breeds. It is claim
ed that a flock OF Indians Runners
Twin average an annual production o
200 eggs. while some individual
ducks viii lay as many as 25O eggs,
The choice OF breed depends en-
tirely upon what purpose they are II
tended TO serve; II eggs are wanted,
the Indian Runners should be select
ed, but II the ducks are raised for
home consumption. or are to be
marketed as green duckilngs." the
Imperial Pekin is a fine breed. They
are pure white. are rapid growers
and are much larger fowl when
mature than the Runners.
The next question is that OF hatch
ing While an incubator is the best
means of Matching chickens eggs
and is also used on all large ducks
farms, there is once importantpoint
TO be remembered in regard to the
artificial incubation OF duck eggs;
they needmore moisture, and good
hatch will not under ordinary con-
ditions. be had from the average
hot-air incubator.
a machine that has special lr-
rangements for supplying and regu-
latlng the moisture is the only one
To be recommended for duck eggs
The writer speaks from experiences
as well as theory having lost so pei
cent OF some expensive thorough
bred eggs last spring; although
moisture was supplied by sprinkling
and also by keeping pan OF wet
sand below the egg tray. yet VIII N
the eggs. pipped tho ducks were uh-
liable to get out on account Of the
extreme toughness OF the skin covsr
ing the inner side OF the shell.
Hons hatch duck eggs very well
as animal heat always contains mois
ture, the trouble is that a hen can
SIC on only eleven or twelve eggs,
and four weeks OF her TINS are
spent ia Matching them. not Inciu.i-
ling the two or three weeks that she
VIII brood them aftcrward,
bucks Versus Chickens.
Ducks are harder than chickens
/ a larger proportion will reach mat
lurity. and at slighter expenditure
OF time aud care Il is important
to eep them out Of the dampnessi
in comfortably worm quarters, for
the first ten days, after that tn y
are pretty well able TO take care OF
themselves They must be fed on
Wet foodfrom the beginninga mash
containing one part rornmeal two
parts brand is good for the urst
fow days, after which the meal may
be Increased until the proportion
Us reversed Unless milk is added
10 the mash. beef scraps are need
ed Il IS Important TO feed some
coarse sand or fine grit once day !.
mixed with the food; unlike chick
ems. ducks viii not pick his up for
themselves. yet they cannot digest
their food without Il.
They have no craws and cannot
store away any food so It Is impor-
liant that they should be fed foir
or i've times day, aud " air-e
at any time than they viii eat It up
clean. Clean drinking water must
be within reach at all times; they
wash their food down with this. aud
without II the young ones have beer
known TO choke to death.
They will 20 ack and forth from
food to water aud consume sur
prising quantity Of both 1t Is not
Al all necessary for ducks 10 have
ponds or puddles; many growers
think they can be raised more salts
factorily when not allowed TO swim
But il is essential that there should
be plentiful supply OF drihhlhs
water constantly before them. even
at night; one OF the patented foun'
tains should be- used so - &c krer
the water pure.
| At ten weeks old ducks will be
ready for the market, II they are
of good stock and have been prop
erly handled Care should be TAX
en- not to brighten them; they are
very nervous. and viii not grow Of
fatten well II frequently alarmed
On dick farms arartificial light Is
pro ided for them at night to keer
| tie. They are also weak q
H.. IS. When 1t is necessary "a
| cat, them. they should be grasped
| by III neck. ne ne legs They
must not be regslreG To jump over
any obstacle or to go up an incline
One point In favor Of duck rails
ing Is the fact that they are free
from lice, mites and other yermin
Neither are they subject to disease
common among chickens Equipmel
Is less expensive; all they need Is Q
| ..af o.. aha1tar tham without either