The sun., 1916-01-23
INDIAN RUNNER Is
NERVOUS CREATURE
Needs Careful Treatment. Sym.
pathy and Some Com
mon Sense.
FEW DUCKS ARE BETTER
ny e. .. VALENTINE.

Proper care Of all live stock depends
directly on knowledge OF their habits.
This is unusually true in the case OF the
Indian runner. not far enough removed
from the wild state to be anything else
than a nervous. high strung bird. Per
haps most ducks. though easily domesti-
Gated. will come under this classification
TO some extent since even the big Peliins
exhibit similar traits.
The Hrst essential to good care OF
runners is a quiet, even tempered care
taker. These birds are SO easily tanned
that one type OF handler fumes against
them as always under foot" Yet
enough OF the wild instinct as TO the
necessity for self-protection remains to
make them always inordinately suspi-
cious when in confinement. for coniine-
ment typifes to them bonds and danger.
Domestication Is not necessarily close
confinement The feeder II friendly. be-
comes to the runners an intimate. TO
whom they tell their troubles and for
whom they develop respect and affec-
| ,ion 10 whose voice also they come to
give instant obedience. The mature
birds are very intelligent. never for
getting that which is once learned and
| seeming to make logical deductions.
They are social to a degree. and though
most exclusive toward strangers. deeply
| attached to their own companions.
The ducklings can be grown to the
| first feathering stage in close confine-
ment. II they have quiet, confiding
| mother they will eat out OF hand and
walk all over" the feeder. With the
first featherng. al about seven weeks of
| age. the instinct OF self-preservation in
variably develops and at this time their
! life is reorganized on a new basis and
they have to be retained.
The runners have an unusually strong
! sense OF locality and become devot ed
! to their own quarters. whether first
! chosen ny themselves or made theirs by
| long association. though imposed or
| them AT the frst. II is impossible "a
| inN two lots upon first placing them
together, though they accept new inti-
! mates after becoming habituated 10
them. Because they lay so much stress
! upon their worted or favorlte surround
| ings and take so much solid comfort
/
| love. this has "a very close bearing OF
! their laying habits. In small numbers
| they can Ne worked each to her indi'
! yidual trap nest. but they do not like
| 10 he alone.
These birds show az much snug salts
! faction as kttea with what suits
| them. and because they are so set" IN
| their own WAYS IT behouyes the handler
| 20 turn this to Ms own benefit, taking
! strict pains to humor them when pos
| sible This means that he shall ON n,
| account break up their innocent habits
10y changes Of yarding. locality or com
panionS during the laying season. unles:
| this be absolutely necessary TO his othe'
plAus For every change Of this mature
IL Immediately reflected in II drop in TN
egg record, unless strongly forced feed
| ng is part of the system Even the'
| failure TO eat may stop laying.
If a change Of ownership be FOLLOWED
uy an increase Of laying ii is because -
betterrd conditions or a more congenia
carotaker. But an important change i
| lnor. likely 10 he followed by u perio,
of apparent Joss OF appetite, with conse
uueut loss In eggs, due partly, no doubt
To- homes lCkness. but partly TO indiffer
| enc. 10 unknown foods. Mature stocl
! NOT accustomed to corn will not eat
al first, and may never learn TO reall.
like it. although where they are broug Ii
M on il corn is one OF their best like
| grains
The feed for ducklings and adults al!k'
| ls made up of the simplest grains
mostly In the form OF mash, Il Is Gus