The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-12-05
new STRAIN OF
DUCKS INTRODUCED

There has recently. only q few
DAYS ago, been introduced into Flor.
ida new strain of ducks. the Buff
and the Blue Orpingtons. which Is
quite an event in the poultry line
as heretofore these ducks have been
only known in a few places in this
! country, though we'll known in Eng.
land and Australia.
Their introduction means the rails
ing of the standard Of this line OF
poultry, as among those imported
are severa! first prize winners, both
brakes and ducks, and it opens up q
new line. both profitable from the
egg end as we'll as from the sale for
table purposes, as they are said to
exceed the Indian Runner and other
classes in the number of eggs laid
per year, and they are about twice
the size of the Indian Runner, being
in fact almost as large as the goose,
and their flesh much sweeter and
tenderer. They are clearly. which
cannot be said of the others, and are
very small eaters, two facts which
commend themselves to the poultry
men as we'll as to the hOusekeeper.
who desires few ducks in the yard
for home purposes
Buff OrpingtOn ducks were made
some twelve or fourteen years back,
but were not brought into promi-
hence in England until two years
ago, when they were shown at sew
cral large shows, such as the Dairy
and Crystal Palace. where classes
were guaranteed for them.
From this time on they became
fast favorites. In Australia they had
previously made their reputation by
winning two l2-month laying COM
petitions in succession. In the first
.: these, one pen of Buff Orpington
ducks competed against fifteen pens
of Indian Runner ducks, and severa.
pens of other varieties, the Buff Or
pingtOn ducks making an easy win
right through the competitions; in
the second competition two pens of
Buff Orpington ducks competing
against seventeen pens Of Indian
Runners and several other pens, re-
suited In the Buff Orpington ducks
taking first and second prizes, and
making a record on all previous lay
ing.
They were made to fill the demand
for first-class layer and at the same
time nice sized table bird, OF fine
quality and favored flesh.
The start was made by mating In
dian Runners to Aylesburys, Indian
Runners to Rouens and Indian Run
ners to Cayugas.
These different varieties, previous
ly to this mating up, had been care
fully mated and bred for three years
fer egg production alone, all laggards
in this respect being noted and
weeded out, SO that when the pure
stock was put together for the first
crossing, a line of good layers was
included In all four breeds.
The descendants of these matings
were then crossed back and forth on
to one another, until with time, care
and patience. the desired end was
accomplished, but before this came
about It was noticed that a great
many of the offspring came with A
iot OF blue on the back, wings and
Thighs and portions of the neck. This
Put the idea into the head of the
originator to make a Blue Orping-
ton duck, as well as Buff Orpinyton
dnck, SO the darkest and the ones
WIN the most blue markings wer.
put on one side and mated with Ca
'usas and Pekins, then the same
ro'ess went on with these. mating
and lnter-mating until the Blue Or
imston ducks were finished article.
the same as the Bluffs, fit for marke,
and ready to hold their own, either
III the laying contest, in the show
pen or ON the table.
The Buff and the Blue Orpington
ducks are without doubt tho most
useful duck living, and at the same
time are very handsome and good IN
iooN at They are very hardy and
easy TO rear. quick in growth and
sood foragers on an open space or
'ieid' fnding most of their own food
very active and fertile, being eoua,,v
good with pond or stream or morally
trough or drinker for their w.t..