Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-05-28
CBy ANNA GALIGHER.1

OF years. during which time we found
that they were different in many re-
spects from any other variety OF ducks
we had ever raised.
To begin with. the Imperial Pekin
is the best duck for market purposes
that we have yet found; because 1t IS
the largest, grows the fastest. and
makes the best appearance when
dressed
The Pekin has fine heavy coat of
feathers that bring almost as high a
There are many people who would
rather have the white-duck feathers
than the colored goose-feathers.
The feathers of Pekin duck are
creamy white. IL the ducks are fed
on white corn their feathers will be
almost pure white. If they eat much
yellow corn, their feathers will show
a rich yellow tint
Ours were never pure white, because
we fed yellow corn meal; not alone,
however. as will be seen later on in
this article.
x =
ducks have tif it can be called FAULT
is that they are enormous feeders.
But to Offset this they gain in weight
when properly fed. in proportion to
the amount of feed consumed.
Four or Ave Indian Runner ducks
will eat about as much grain feed as
one Pekin. The former are great
foragers, while the latter stay around
close to home.
For eggs alone. the Indian Runner
is far superior to the Pekin, but their
eggs are small-about the size of large
hens eggs. They lay about twice the
number OF eggs in year that the
Pekins will, but Pekin duck eggs are
always large. Sometimes they are
about twice as large as hens eggs.
A fully matured Pekin duck is about
the size OF the common goose (mean-
ing the old-fashioned, spotted goose
that is SO scarce nowadays
In order to succeed with ducks, 1t
3 necessary to have eggs from strong,
vigorous stock, and they must be
fresh, not over one week old. Other
duck eggs may be different. but the
Pekin's eggs are worthless for hatch
ing purpose when ten days old.
Duck eggs, as rule, require four
weeks to hatch. They may be hatch
ed with either incubators or hens.
Only large hens are suitable for
Matching duck eggs, of course.
If an incubator Is used, keep the
temperature as near 103 degrees as
possible, turning the eggs regularly
twice day They should be allowed
time to cool a little once each day I'M
till the twenty-sixth day. or two days
before they are due to hatch.
When they begin to pip the shells,
the temperature may be allowed to
raise to 104 or los, but be careful not
to let it go higher.
Protect the ventilators from cold
drafts. but don't shut out all the air,
no matter what the instructions say.
Any young fowls need air Cat least a
little Of it, while they are Matching.
Don't bother the eggs while they are
Matching, unless it is absolutely neces-
sary, because it lowers the tempera-
ture every time the inner door Is
moved
or course, in the mild weather it is
safe enough, but even then the door
SHOULD be kept closed as much as pos
sible. If the little ducks do not come
out shortly after they pip the shells,
do not become alarmed. They do not
come out as soon as chicks, as they |
require more time after breaking the
shell. In this respect they are more
like goslings.
Sometimes they will break the shells
"a hours before they are ready to
come out But they seldom need any
help. AS stated in a previous ar
ticle, duck egg presents q very
queer appearance at certain stage
of incubation, for when held before a
bright light the shells appear to bel
nearly half empty.
Don't throw the eggs away. They I
may all contain live ducklings. When
they hatch they should not be taken
from the incubator until they are
thoroughly dried off and able to hold
up their heads.
Then they should be placed in
brooder, or some place where they I
will BE- comfortable. II placed in
broodLs see that they have fresh air.
Fresh sir, however, is not essentially
cold air, so watch the ventilation
Have the brooder floor covered with
some clean litter or straw. Cut straw
or hay is best. Don't use sawdust;
the young ducks win sometimes eat it.
When cseaning the brooder remove
the paper. litter and ell, burn at once
and replace with fresh. This is
great deal easier and more satisfactory
than scruhbing the brooders. because [