The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1915-01-08

age of loss is light. that the market
prices are steady and that the product
grows into dollars fast.
1t is knowledge of these facts in
connection with generally high level
of prices for farm commodities that is
causing the duck farms to spring up
in all directions. Many of the new
poultry plants are quite extensive, and
perhaps the development at present is
much greater with ducks than with
any other class of poultry, although
there is material progress also with
chickens and geese.
1t can be truthfully said that no
class of poultry will prove safer or
more profitable than ducks in the
hands of amateurs or farmers whose
experience along this line is limited
Many beginners with poultry enter.
prises fail completely or at best barely
save their investment. Others clean
nent, successful trade. The reason for
this difference is rather hard to define
Intelligent care and perseverance have
much to do with success In poultry as
well as in other lines of business. Only
once in awhile is success or failure a
matter of luck.
The first move in getting ready for
a duck farm should be to set apart an
acre or two Of ground for a pasture
and on which variety of vegeta bles
as well as grass and clover can be
grown. Another early move must be
to provide clean. snug building or a
series of small buildings. in which the
flocks may be housed safely and COM
fortably. The birds at all ages need to
be shut in tight at night from ntru.
ders of all kinds. and vermin must not
be allowed to get hold on the prem,
Uses, A third step is the selection of
stock that is known to be large and
vigorous, Nothing is to be left to
chance. but every detail must be care
fully managed. and then there is Ger.
tainty Of success, for the fowls are
hardy and their food requirements sim.
pie and cheap
A plant should not be started with
less than an acre. This is sufficient
to handle 500 ducks, and If more are
desired little more land should be
used for range and pasture. Swim
ming ponds are not essential and. in
fact, may be considered detriment.
but 1t is best to have troughs and keep
them supplied with fresh water for
drinking and splashing. AS ducks
feed largely on green material. calling
for very little grain. their feeding is
not expensive considering their rapid
growth into marketable poultry The
main food required outside of pasture
is sof, ration of mill stuffs. such as
middlings. When it comes to fatten
ing time they can be forced by adding
ground corn to the diet This grain is
only needed once day The mash
should be given twice day. and there
needs to be a supply of green food such
as clover. cabbage. etc, at all times.
but this can be of the most inexpen
sive sort
Housekeepers may look with salts
faction on this new move to increase
the supply of wholesome poultry
Duck meat at 20 cents pound is not
considered an extravaganza. and il
compares favorably with beef This
class Of poultry might easily be raised
In such quantities that it would sell
for 10 cents pound and breeders
owning a few acres of land for range
and the production of feed would find
the business profitable at much lower
prices than those now prevailing.