Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-06-21
PEkIN DUCKS PROFITABLE.

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In the world of paying poultry, the
raising of the white Pekin duck should
not be overlooked. AS in other lines
Of poultry raising, it should not be ex-
pected that much profit will be reaped
by beginners the first season, but aft.
er that the Pekin duck, or, in fact, any
of the varieties of domestic ducks that
have proven practicable, will be a
source Of profit to the farmer or his
wife. Some women have made the
raising of Pekin ducks specially and
have made a success Of it. There Is
always good market for ducks and
theft feathers sell well.
Although of a wondering disposition,
ducks can be confined in small area
and, when enclosed, spread much
guano and enrich the soil of lot
where they are temporarily quartered.
The expense of confining them is
small, as wire netting only IS to 20
inches high will be sufficient to re-
strain them. Any sort of shelter will
do. On account of the adaptability Of
intensive" raising, ducks have an
advantage over chickens in not need
ing as much area to roam over, the
small amount of artificial heat need
ed VIXEN quite young, and their rapid
ity of growth, being ready for mar
ket when ten to twelve weeks.
Ducklings that are Matched under
chicken hens, about nine eggs being
placed under each. sitting hen, are. al
ways harder than those Matched In
incubators. At least the mortality Is
less the first week, or two Duck eggs
should be set either in. April or May.
This month is not too late, and is con-
sidered by many the right time to be-
gin operations. Ducks lay early in
March and April and by the first OF
May an adequate supply of setting
eggs can be procured. = e. !;
The feeding Of ducklings should be
given close attention at first. 1t Is
we'll to begin with bread, moistened In
sweet milk, and little finely chopped,
hard-boiled egg with sprinkling Of
sand about four times a day for the
first week. Feed on. clean board
or surface and give them just what
they will clean up at each feeding,
followed by tepid water. Later keep
plenty of clear water near the grow.
ing duck!ings, arranged so that they
can insert their bsaks we'll and keep
their ,nostrils open: and free from
caked dirt. Many ducks are lost on
account Of their nostrils becoming
clogged with mud because Of there be-
ing no water furnished the ducklings.
Keep plenty of sand near, as they are
great sand consumers. 1t has been
found that flock of 80 is of good size
to handle and to thrive we'll.
In the selection of breeding stock
from a flock, pick out your breeders
when the ducks are about six or seven
weeks old. Breeding ducks should
not be allowed to get too fat after one
has made a selection of stock for that
purpose. Lots of green food and
plenty Of exercise are essential to
their growth and welfare. For breed.
ers a young drake, weighing five to
seven POUNDS, is said to be most salts
factory and found to have more fer
tile egg5 than when they are very
fat. 1t is also claimed that the prog
eny from ducks that are not too fat
are more vigorous and can be forced
to greater weight as market birds. In
raising ducks keep the different sizes
separate and furnish as long runs as
possible and have ample shade. House
ducklings can be Enclosed convenient
ly and profitably in yard 20 by 100
feet with shelter Of IL by 20 feet.
In preparing ducks for market, they
are dry-plucked when warm, the bod
les then Immersed iny ice-cold water
and, when the body heat Is out, they
are carefully packed. The cost to
land a duck in market depends large
" upon the luck one has. II halfway
successful, ones efforts have not been
in vain