Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-02
THE POULTRY YARD
DUCKS AND GEESE.
BY Ed Weber


fowls that this part of poultry culture
is somewhat neglected, altho the In
terest in water fowls has improved so
per cent In the past two years. The
next five years Will probably see a
vast Improvement in the interest OF
water fowls. For several years chick
ems have been all the rage. The vari :
GUS new breeds that have sprung up
all over the land like mushrooms indi-
cate that this feathered tribe has been
receiving its share OF interest, while
other varieties of fowls have been more
or less neglected
But, If the large exhibits Of water
fowls count for anything. and they GER
tainly do, then they are coming into
popular favor. For two seasons there
has been marked increase Of water
fowls of all kinds on exhibition at the
various winter shows, not only at the
national shows, but at local shows as
well. The water fowl alleys we're
about completed with almost every va
riety Recognized by the american
Standard No better Indications of
improved interest could be made than
the weil-fllled alleys Of water fowls at
the poultry shows.
No Question as to Profit.
And why should water fowls of all
descriptions be as extensively bred
turnout the land as any other OF the
feathered tribe? There is no question
about the financial side Of the business.
The remuneration received from a
well-kept flock of geese and ducks IL
always most satisfactory The reason
Is obvious from the fact that no fowls
on earth are as hardy as the water
fowls. They are the least liable to dis
ease Of any fowls grown, hence the
majority of youngsters incubated are
brought to maturity, which means
much to the profit side Of the business
The great bugbear with other varieties
Of poultry Is in the multitude Of losses
in the youngsters, cutting Off the
profit.
The majority Of turkey and chicken
growers think that they are doing ex-
ceedingly well II they raise to maturity
SO per cent Of the youngsters incu-
bated. but with skillful methods the
per cent Of Youngsters raised can be
brought up considerably above this
rate. The majority Of youngsters in
cubated in the hands OF inexperienced
growers never see matured age. But
with water fowls the average brought
up to the matured age runs consid-
erably higher. Some authorities claim
the average goslings raised will reach
80 per cent, but when we produce any
thing within ten points Of perfec-
ton or 80 per cent Of the total we are
climbing up on top rounds Of perfec-
ton.
Pay Profit Next to Turkeys.
The per cent Of all water fowls
bro,rgt to maturity will not run over
Is, which il extremely good. II we pro-
duce Is per cent Of our ducklings sui
flciently strong to reach the market age
We count ourselves fortunate. Per-
haps where gosiings are counted in the
rate Of percentage the average will
run somewhat higher. but 1t is we'll to
not figure such things too high as 1t
hurts the most Of US to fall below our
expectations more than 1t does to run
above them. At any event water fowls
are the greatest money makers Of any
fowls grown on the farm, save tur-
keys and will give the turkeys hot
race for supremacy from remunera-
tive viewpoint for the reason one can
raise 50 many more goslings than tur-
keys and they are 50 much less liable
to disease. Turkeys are much more
convenient 70 raise and are cleaner,
making them moro IN favor with the
majority Of farmers, but when 1t comes
to counting dollars in profit with the
fwrn 1roat feafhoroA Annnricap fowls