The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-05

pe allowed 10 take tnelr Tune IN WOTklnB
their way out of the shells
IL seems that ducklings are much har-
der than baby chicks. They are not
subject 10 as many diseases. they are not
so susceptible to changes in temperature
and they sooner reach tho weaving age.
when the warmth OF mother hens or
breeders is no longer required. In fact,
IL In a comparatively simple problem to
raise a good bunch OF them after they
have been successfully Matched.
II hens are used for brooding they
should be- placed In tight coops with
small runs attached. When given much
liberty they range too lar for tile com
fort and well being Of their clumsy
charges
Any good type OF artificial broodcr will
give satisfactory results When but few
ducklings are reared the fireless brooder is
fine. especially after the warm season has
arrived. The writer has experienced more
sat. sfaction with ducklings than with
chicks in breeders OF this kind.
The details OF the daily care OF the
youngsters are easily mastered. one very
prominent duck grower OF wide expert
ence once remarked that success depended
mostly upon feed and muscle
Ducks are. II must be confessed. dirty
creatures, and their quarters and runs
require frequent and thorough cleaning.
They are also the most ravenous OF
feathered creatures and consume an as
tonishing amount OF food. Fortunately.
their rate OF growth corresponds with
their enormous food consumption. so there
Is no loss from heavy feeding. VIII
properly fed they are ready for the table
in nine or ten weeks, having actually
made the greater part OF their normal
growth In that short space OF time.
The first feed should be given when the
ducklings are about forty-eiGht hours OF
age. II food Is given earlier than tina;
the results are apt to be less satisfactory.
The ration may be very simple Some
feeders use nothing but bran. cornmeal.
beef scrap and green food but somewhat
better growth may be secured by us. ng
a more varied ration
When this simple system Is followed.
the usual plan Is to make tho mixture
one-third cornmeal and two-thirds bran at
first. increasing the proportion OF corn
meal gradually until this forms half or
more OF the ration. The beef scrap is
added at the rate OF per cent. for the
first few weeks. increasing to IL or even
20 per cent. by the eighth or ninth week
Green food Of some kind is gwen daily.
and OF course drinking water Is KEEP;
constantly available.
1t might we'll be stated In this connec-
ton that all changes In tho ration should
b. made very gradually. Ducks are often
thrown out OF condition by decided
changes In their diet.
II one can judge by the results
cured one OF the best rations for growing
ducklings IL that used on u noted duck
ranch In central New York. The owner
OF this establishment has kindly supplied
fun details. which are given below:
The ducklngs are fed AT intervals OF
two or three hours during the first week
They then receive four meals daily for
i've weeks and three thereafter. The food
is given In the form OF u moist mash in
quantity sufficient to appease their ap-
petiteA Amy surplus is removed After each
meal.
For the fret three days the duckltnss
receive bread crumbs three parts and
raw or hard boiled eggs, one part These
eggs are usually tho ''infertiles" tested
out during the process OF incubation and
reserved for this use. They furnish the
needed animal food in the very best form.
On the fourth day add TO the above a
small amount OF cornmcal and . per cent
clean. coarse sand. After two meals con-
tanning the sand add little whaet bran
10 the mixture The sand should be pres.
eht in the duckllngs' s!zZards before any
hDrous food Ia given; In fact fre grit
IN some form Ia essential during the entire
growing period. Without IL tho birds can
mol properly digest their food and various
disorders will naturally follow
Tho proportions OF bran and meal .-a
increased and OF the bread and eggs do
creased during tho remainder of the frs,
week Then the growing ration Is substi-
tu'ed' ms Is made up as fO!loWA In.
parts being given by measure, no; by
weight; -
Growing Ration--wheat bran. parts.
cornmeal. part oatmeal or barley m..I
! part; green food. parts. beef scr',,,.
- parts. coarse sand $40 parts saIt
slightly. 90"
the green food 10 given raw ana 10 cut
me enough 10 DO readily eaten Il rllv
consist Of almost any succulent vegetables
or Glove. Erahs, rSe or Gals
This green material increases Nh, bult
OF IN" ration and also has a beneficial
eneot upon tho digestive system. Ii /. a
Necessity.
When the ducklinss reach the arc of
hve or six weeks the ration Ia again
changed and they are put on a fatteninr
teen w To this time the main idea is
70 huld big frames, bu, during the last
few weeks 1t 10 necessary to add the "a.
CURED flesh and fat.
Fatenng ration-Cornmeal. par,.
wheat bran. 2ls parts: beef ecrap. III
parts: green food. l part: coarse sand, =
part.
This ration Is fed exclusively untl N.
dueklings are killed. OF cour,. n ,hnS
are intended solely for home use IL il
not necessary To fatten them all ut once
a Few may be finished at time. IN.
balance OF the flock being held on a lighter
ration.
In the MANAGEMENT OF ducklings a few
points should be kept In mind. They are
unila creatures and may be easily STAN
peded II this occurs they will OFF,,
pll9 up in corner OF coop or ynrd
ana some OF them will thus be Killed
no not permit them to DO frightened in
any way.
they are also adversely affected by tho
direct ra.s of the sun.
Heavy loss frequently follows when they
are permitted TO get very warm and
thirsty, then given drink and permitted
to 20 out Ia tho sunshine. Under such