Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-09-16
DON 7 FORCE ALL
YOUR DUCKL|NCS
Those Which Are to "Run On"
Should Be Given Good Range
and Not Too Rich Diet.
BY e. G. Wardin.

Although an immense number of
sncklIngs are Matched and fed up for
table use when quite young-that is,
eight or ten weeks old-there are also
very many that, instead Of being fat
tened thus, are kept on hand through
out the summer some of which may be
intended for future stock purposes, 9TH
ers that they may be sold for stock, and
still others destined for the autumn and
winter table.
When ducklings are to be. run on in
this manner, the conditions under
which they should be kept should nat
urally differ from those considered es-
sential in the case of ducklings fed up
IN the shortest possible time. There
are several reasons why this should be
so. but the two main ones are that TO
keep duckllngs tArc""hout the summer
in the comparatively OI'nped quarters
and to feed them in the SANE S'Nle FOL
lowed in the case of the forced table
duckings would mean that not only
would the constitution of the birds be
ruined. but that the cost in 1000 anu
labor would be much above what Is
necessary to obtain far better results
In the production of forced table duck
lings the point is to make flesh rapidly
but to run the birds on over the sum
mer the point to study is how to best
build up the constitution. Whatever
may be the purpose for which the
ducklings are eventually destined, the
possession of a sound constitution is
necessary.
Give Them More Room.
Whenever possible ducklings intend
ed To be reared should be quartered
apart from those to be forced for table
use right from the start and given more
elbow room For preference CoopS
should be stood upon short, dry turf
and where rats are not feared the coops
may be without floor and moved daily
When moving such coops, choose the
middle of the day for the purpose, for
then both grass and ground are at their
drlest, and should the grass happen TO
continue wet, omit moving the coops
until better conditions prevail, and in
stead of moving sprinkle the ground
under the cOops with dry earth or sand
II moved about when the grass is wet
1nere is a risk of leg weakness, and
me same Is also true if the cOops stand
700 long on the same ground, unless the
above precautions are taken for ii is of
ANU iiil POI ldIt6 lltl llit Dll US lS9I CiA
surface that is both dry and clean
pQekHngs Of the class under consider
auon should upon no account be al
!o"ed to rOOSt in Cramped sleeping
quarters, and as they grow very fast
much faster than chickens, there is
Ndnger of the accommodation becom-
ing too small, particularly as the birds
"lI crowd if allowed to do so. Should
yVer-croWding be permitted it will act
ueuimentally not only upon the health
oI tht birds, but by forcing them to
S'eep IN unnatural positions, producing
p7rmanent deformities, such as Wry
ldliS and crooked breasts.
How To Build House.
me of the best types of houses for
s"r purpose is of oblong shape, say 3
.gst by feet and feet high, having
NE 'front.' partly wired instead of board
~ ana without floor. if the right kind
a luII is available In the front Of
g mouse board up one foot each from
g ground and down from the roof.
"4u Dbl in the intervening space with
"t netting. A door should also be
."N. SO that the interior can be got
7t handily, A small slide door can
'Fo oe itted into the front to give
''[SSaseWay to the ducklings
'''"atd IN this manner, the birds will
'' plenty of fresh air. but as the
'S'H happens to be the warmer
nuns OF the year there is no danger
.Atlr suffering from the cold
'"' Kings that are being run on
I.o be given all the length of day
8H.h.c. being let out early in the
lung. and shut up at dusk each
l~Ht The range should be extensive
,r over rich old turf if possible for
w., me birds begin to pick up a lot
, .helf Sustenance without expense to
,., "Nher. and to run duckings on
r, ''i me risk Of their eating their
s. "1 II is imperative for them to
WIN fair measure of success
... N'frise also of ranging helps 10
'amina to The constitution and
benefit whatever may be the