_ PART I.

DUCKS
CHAPTER I. Present Extent of the Industry
Duck raisin !hi"e re#resentin an industry of considera$"e %a"ue to the United States
!hen considered fro& a nationa" stand#oint' is one of the &inor $ranches of the #ou"try
industry. Accordin to the ()*+ census there !ere *',(-'.*/ ducks in the United States
!ith a %a"uation of 01'1-1')... As co&#ared !ith this the census for ()(+ sho!s a
s"iht"y reater nu&$er of ducks' *')+.'2*2' $ut their %a"ue !as considera$"y "ess $ein
on"y 0('2.-'(./. In the ten years $et!een the census of ()++ and that of ()(+ there !as a
decrease in the nu&$er of ducks of near"y /+3.
Accordin to the ()*+ census the &ore i&#ortant duck raisin states arraned in their
order of i&#ortance !ere Io!a' I""inois' Pennsy"%ania' 4e! 5ork' 6issouri' 6innesota'
Tennessee' 7hio' South Dakota' Indiana' 4e$raska and Kentucky. The nu&$er re#orted
for Io!a !as *12'*/) and for Kentucky ))'2--. 4e! En"and' the 4orth At"antic' the
East 4orth Centra"' the 8est 4orth Centra"' the 6ountain and the Pacific states sho!ed
an increase' !hi"e the South At"antic' East South Centra" and 8est South Centra" states
sho!ed a decrease. In s#ite of the existence of 9uite a nu&$er of "are co&&ercia" duck
far&s' the reat $u"k of ducks #roduced are those !hich co&e fro& the enera" far&s
!here on"y s&a"" f"ocks are ke#t. 5et on"y a s&a"" #ro#ortion of far&s ha%e ducks on
the&. The co&#arati%e"y s&a"" nu&$er of ducks is distri$uted o%er #ractica""y the entire
United States' $ein &ore co&&on in so&e sections than others' #articu"ar"y a"on the
At"antic Coast and a"on the Pacific Coast' !ith fair"y nu&erous f"ocks on the far&s of
the 6idd"e 8est.
Different Ty#es of Duck Raisin. The conditions under !hich ducks are ke#t and the
#ur#ose for !hich they are ke#t fa"" under four heads: ;irst' co&&ercia" duck raisin for
the #roduction of duck &eat< second' duck raisin as a $y=#roduct of the enera" far&<
third' duck raisin for e #roduction< fourth' duck $reedin for #"easure' exhi$ition or
the sa"e of $reedin stock.
7##ortunities for Duck Raisin. Undou$ted"y the reatest o##ortunity for #rofita$"e duck
ro!in "ies under the first of these heads' na&e"y' co&&ercia" duck raisin. 8here the
conditions of c"i&ate' soi" and "and are fa%ora$"e and !here the "ocation is ood !ith
res#ect to &arket there exists an exce""ent o##ortunity for one ski""ed in duck ro!in to
enae in that $usiness in an intensi%e &anner for the #ur#ose of #uttin on the &arket
s#rin or reen duck"ins. 8here these are in de&and they $rin a ood #rice and since
the out#ut #er far& is "are they #ay a ood return e%en !ith a s&a"" &arin of #rofit #er
#ound.
The second reatest o##ortunity undou$ted"y consists of duck raisin as a $y=#roduct of
the enera" far&. 8here conditions are suita$"e' that is to say' !here there is a
considera$"e a&ount of #asture "and easi"y accessi$"e' and #articu"ar"y !here there is a
strea& or #ond to !hich the ducks can ha%e access' a s&a"" f"ock of ducks' say (+ or (*
fe&a"es' can $e ke#t to exce""ent ad%antae on the far&. The cost of &aintainin the&
!i"" not $e reat and they !i"" not on"y #ro%ide a &ost acce#ta$"e %ariety in the for& of
duck &eat and duck es for the far&ers> ta$"e $ut they !i"" a"so #roduce a sur#"us !hich
can $e so"d at a #rofit. It &ust $e re&e&$ered' ho!e%er' that !here on"y a s&a"" f"ock is
ke#t it is enera""y i&#ractica$"e for the far&er to i%e his ducks the attention necessary
to cater to the &arket for reen duck"ins. As a resu"t he usua""y kee#s the& unti" fa"" and
se""s the& on the &arket at a considera$"y "o!er #rice than is o$tained $y the co&&ercia"
duck ro!er.
There a"so exists an o##ortunity !hich has not $een de%e"o#ed to any reat extent to kee#
so&e one of the e #roducin $reeds of ducks such as the Indian Runner for the #ri&ary
#ur#ose of e #roduction. A fe! %entures of this sort see& to ha%e $een successfu" $ut it
&ust $e re&e&$ered that the &arket for duck es is not near"y so $road as that for hens>
es and that in so&e 9uarters there exists considera$"e #re?udice aainst duck es for
ta$"e consu&#tion. @efore enain in duck raisin #ri&ari"y for the #roduction of
&arket es it !ou"d therefore $e necessary to in%estiate and consider carefu""y the
&arket conditions in the neih$orhood so as to kno! !hether the es cou"d $e &arketed
to ad%antae. 8hi"e the Runner ducks are #ro"ific "ayers there is no ad%antae in kee#in
the& in #reference to fo!"s as e #roducers. The es are "arer in siAe $ut it takes &ore
feed to #roduce the&' !hi"e they cannot as a ru"e $e dis#osed of at &uch if any hiher
#rice than can $e secured for hens> es. ;or $akin #ur#oses duck es can $e readi"y
so"d on account of their "arer siAe.
There is a"!ays an o##ortunity to #roduce fine stock of any kind' !hether it $e ducks'
chickens' turkeys or eese. Ducks are not exhi$ited to the sa&e extent as are chickens and
the co&#etition in the sho!s is not as a ru"e so keen. 4e%erthe"ess &any #ersons are
interested in #roducin and exhi$itin ood stock and there exists a %ery definite &arket
for $irds of 9ua"ity.
There is a"so a #ro$a$i"ity that a ood $usiness cou"d $e !orked u# $y one !ho !ou"d
#ay s#ecia" attention to #roducin a strain of ducks of ear"y &aturity' "are siAe and ood
%ior in order to su##"y $reedin drakes to &any of the co&&ercia" duck far&s. These
far&s usua""y secure drakes for $reedin fro& sources outside their o!n f"ocks each year
$ut the usua" #ractice is to exchane drakes !ith so&e other co&&ercia" ro!er. 8hi"e
%ery ood $irds are to $e found on these duck far&s there is no reater o##ortunity to
enae in any syste&atic $reedin' the se"ection of the $reedin stock $ein of rather a
hurried nature durin certain seasons of the year !hen the ducks are $ein &arketed.
6oreo%er' the "on continued custo& of exchanin drakes !ith the neih$orin far&ers
has in &ost cases "ed to the $"ood $ein so "are"y confined !ithin one circ"e that no reat
#ercentae of ne! $"ood is o$tained $y these exchanes. 7f course' the o##ortunity a"on
$reedin "ines for this #ur#ose is "i&ited to the Pekin duck as this is the $reed !hich is
ke#t u#on a"" the "are co&&ercia" duck far&s in the United States.
Prices for @reedin Stock. Duck $reeders !ho &ake a s#ecia"ty of se""in $reedin stock
or es for hatchin find a steady and 9uite a !ide de&and for their stock. The es are
usua""y so"d in sittins of (( and $rin a #rice of fro& 01 to 02 #er sittin de#endin on
the 9ua"ity of the stock. The #rices recei%ed for the $irds the&se"%es de#end of course
u#on their 9ua"ity and &ay run any!here fro& a$out 02 to 0*2 #er $ird.
Ducks for 7rna&enta" Pur#oses. 7n estates or in #arks !here natura" or artificia" #onds
are inc"uded in the rounds' !aterfo!" are often ke#t for orna&enta" #ur#oses. Any
$reeds &ay $e used' and often the ay co"ored 8ood Duck and 6andarin' or so&e one of
the s&a"" $reeds such as the Ca""s' @"ack East Indian or the 6a""ards are ke#t for this
#ur#ose. It is said that these s&a"" ducks !i"" a$so"ute"y destroy the &os9uito "ar%ae in
any such #onds or "akes. _
_ PART I. DUCKS
CHAPTER II. @reeds and Barieties==Ho! to 6ate to Produce Exhi$ition
@reeds and Barieties==Ho! to 6ate to Produce Exhi$ition S#eci&ens==Pre#arin Ducks
for the Sho!==Catchin and Hand"in
@reeds of Ducks. There are (( standard $reeds of ducks. A"" of these $reeds !ith the
exce#tion of the Ca""' 6usco%y and Runner consist of a sin"e %ariety. The Ca"" is di%ided
into t!o %arieties' the Cray and the 8hite< the 6usco%y consists of t!o %arieties' the
Co"ored and the 8hite< and the Runner consists of three %arieties' the ;a!n and 8hite'
the 8hite and the Penci"ed.
Duck $reeders' of course' !hether raisin the $irds for fancy or for #rofit' kee# one of the
standard $reads or %arieties. ;re9uent"y' a"so' the far& f"ocks consist of standard$red
ducks $ut on &any far&s' #ro$a$"y a reat &a?ority' the f"ock consists of the co&&on or
so=ca""ed D#udd"eD duck. In certain #arts of the South there is a duck kno!n as the D&u"e
duckD !hich is a cross $et!een the 6usco%y and the co&&on duck. This is a duck of
ood &arket 9ua"ity $ut !i"" not $reed fro& !hich characteristic it ets its na&e. 6ost of
the co&&on or D#udd"eD ducks !hich are found on far&s are of rather s&a"" siAe' are
indifferent as "ayers' and do not &ake a desira$"e ty#e of &arket duck. They ha%e arisen
si&#"y fro& the crossin of standard $reeds !ith resu"tant care"essness and indifference
in $reedin. @ecause of the care !ith !hich they ha%e $een se"ected and $red for definite
#ur#oses' the standard $reeds are decided"y su#erior to the co&&on D#udd"eD ducks and
shou"d $y a"" &eans $e ke#t in #reference since they !i"" yie"d $etter resu"ts and reater
#rofits.
In addition to the standard $reeds and %arieties f"ocks of 6a""ards are a"so ke#t to a
"i&ited extent. The 6a""ard is a co&&on s&a"" !i"d duck !hich has "ent itse"f readi"y to
do&estication and !hich thri%es !ith #ro#er care under confined conditions. In !eiht'
the drakes !i"" run fro& *=(E* #ounds to 1 #ounds or e%en a "itt"e "arer. The ducks
a%erae a$out *(E/ #ounds !ith a %ariation of fro& ( #ound (* ounces to * #ounds ,
ounces. @y se"ectin the "are es for hatchin and $y "i$era" feedin' it is easy to
increase the siAe of 6a""ards to such an extent that they rese&$"e s&a"" Rouens rather
than !i"d 6a""ards. The #"u&ae of the 6a""ard is %ery si&i"ar to that of the Rouen $ut
of a "ihter shade. Another s&a"" !i"d duck kno!n as the 8ood or Caro"ina duck' !hich
is a nati%e of 4orth A&erica' has $een do&esticated and on account of the reat $eauty of
its #"u&ae is usua""y to $e found !here%er orna&enta" !aterfo!" are ke#t. The
6andarin duck is a s&a"" duck of a$out the sa&e siAe as the 8ood duck' is of $eautifu"
#"u&ae and "ike the 8ood duck is enera""y ke#t for orna&enta" #ur#oses. This duck is
said to $e a nati%e of China.

C"assification of @reeds
So far as the standard $reeds and %arieties are concerned they &ay $e di%ided into three
c"asses accordin to the #ur#ose for !hich they are ke#t and for !hich they are $est
suited. ;irst is the &eat c"ass !hich consists of the Pekin' Ay"es$ury' 6usco%y' Rouen'
@uff' Cayua and @"ue S!edish. These $reeds cou"d !e"" $e ter&ed enera" #ur#ose
ducks for they are 9uite ood "ayers in addition to #roducin exce""ent ta$"e carcasses and
are therefore !e"" suited for enera" far& use. They are' ho!e%er' ke#t &ore #articu"ar"y
for &eat #roduction.
The second c"ass is kno!n as the e c"ass and consists of the three %arieties of the
Runner Duck' for&er"y kno!n as the Indian Runner. The Runner Duck is &uch s&a""er
in siAe than the $irds of the &eat c"ass' is "oner in "e and &ore acti%e' and is not so !e""
suited for the #roduction of ta$"e ducks $ut is a %ery #ro"ific "ayer. 8ith #ro#er feedin
and &anae&ent the Runner ducks !i"" co&#are fa%ora$"y !ith hens as e #roducers.
The third c"ass is kno!n as the orna&enta" c"ass and is co&#osed of the ducks !hich are
ke#t and $red #rinci#a""y for orna&enta" #ur#oses. This c"ass consists of the Ca"" duck
!ith its t!o %arieties' the @"ack East India duck and the Crested 8hite duck. @oth the
Ca"" and East India ducks are s&a"" in siAe $ein rea""y the $anta&s of the duck fa&i"y.
8hi"e they &ake ood ta$"e $irds' their s&a"" siAe handica#s the& as co&&ercia" &eat
fo!". The Crested 8hite duck is of "arer siAe' #ossesses a crest and is $red &ain"y as an
orna&enta" fo!".
6arkin the Ducks. The duck raiser !ho is $reedin his ducks for exhi$ition 9ua"ity has
need for kno!"ede of the $reedin of the $irds he &ay conte&#"ate usin in his &atins.
In order that this infor&ation &ay $e a%ai"a$"e' the youn ducks as they are hatched can
$e &arked $y toe #unchin the& on the !e$s of their feet in the sa&e &anner that $a$y
chicks are toe #unched. A different set or co&$ination of &arks is used for each &atin
so that the $reedin of the different ducks can $e distinuished. 6ature ducks can' if
desired' $e "e $anded in order to furnish a distinuishin &ark.

4o&enc"ature
@efore takin u# a descri#tion of the &atins of the different standard $reeds and
%arieties it is !e"" to indicate the co&&on no&enc"ature !hich is used in connection !ith
these fo!"s and !hich differs fro& that used for chickens. The &a"e duck is ca""ed drake'
the fe&a"e duck is ter&ed duck' and the youn duck of either sex is ter&ed duck"in. In
i%in the standard !eihts for the different $reeds of ducks' !eihts are i%en for adu"t
ducks and adu"t drakes' and for youn ducks and youn drakes. @y adu"t duck or drake is
&eant a $ird !hich is o%er one year o"d. @y youn duck or drake is &eant a $ird !hich is
"ess than one year o"d. The horny &outh #arts of the duck instead of $ein ter&ed $eak as
in chickens are ca""ed $i""' and the se#arate di%ision of the u##er $i"" at its extre&ity is
ter&ed the $ean. Ducks do not sho! any co&$ or !att"es as in chickens. In En"and use
is &ade of the ter&s duck"et and drakere". Duck"et is used to sinify a fe&a"e durin her
first "ayin season ?ust as the !ord #u""et is used in contrast to hen. Drakere" is used to
sinify a youn drake as contrasted !ith an o"der drake ?ust as the !ord cockere" is used
in co&#arison to cock in chickens.
Distinuishin the Sex. The sex of &ature ducks can $e readi"y to"d $y their %oices and
a"so $y a difference in the featherin. The duck i%es %oice to a coarse' harsh sound
!hich is the characteristic D9uackD usua""y thouht of in connection !ith this c"ass of
fo!". The drake on the other hand utters a cry !hich is not near"y so "oud or harsh $ut
!hich is &ore of a hissin sound. Distinction of sex $y this &eans can $e &ade after the
duck"ins are fro& / to . !eeks o"d. @efore this ae' $oth sexes &ake the sa&e #ee#in
noise.
6ature drakes are a"so distinuished fro& the ducks $y the #resence of t!o sex feathers
at the $ase of the tai". These are short feathers !hich cur" or cur%e u#!ard and for!ard
to!ard the $ody of the $ird. In ducks these feathers are a$sent.

SiAe
An idea of the siAe of the different standard $reeds can $est $e o$tained $y i%in the
standard !eihts. They are as fo""o!s:==
Adu"t Drake. Adu"t Duck. 5oun Drake. 5oun Duck.
Pekin ) , , -
Ay"es$ury ) , , -
Rouen ) , , -
Cayua , - - .
6usco%y (+ - , .
@"ue S!edish , - .=(E* 2=(E*
Crested 8hite - . . 2
@uff , - - .
Runner /=(E* / / 1=(E*
There are no standard !eihts for the Ca"" duck and for the @"ack East India duck $ut
these are a"" s&a"" in siAe' $ein rea""y $anta& ducks. The drakes !i"" !eih fro& *=(E* to
1 #ounds and the ducks fro& * to *=(E* #ounds.

Po#u"arity of @reeds
In the &eat c"ass $y far the &ost #o#u"ar duck in this country is the Pekin. It is the $reed
!hich is used exc"usi%e"y on the "are co&&ercia" duck far&s. 4ext to the Pekin in this
c"ass #ro$a$"y co&es the 6usco%y !hich is 9uite co&&on"y ke#t in so&e sections of the
country' #articu"ar"y in the South. The Ay"es$ury duck has ne%er #ro%ed to $e %ery
#o#u"ar in the United States #erha#s due to its !hite $i"" and skin' a"thouh it is the
#o#u"ar &arket duck of En"and. The other $reeds inc"uded in the &eat c"ass are ke#t
&ore or "ess co&&on"y $ut do not a##roach in #o#u"arity either the Pekin or the
6usco%y. Any of the $reeds in this c"ass !i"" #ro%e to $e satisfactory for a far& f"ock'
a"thouh the Co"ored $reeds and %arieties are at a disad%antae !hen dressed due to their
dark #in feathers.
In the e c"ass there is inc"uded on"y the Indian Runner and this of course is the $reed
!hich is ke#t !here%er the #roduction of duck es is the #ri&ary o$?ect. The ;a!n and
8hite is the &ost #o#u"ar %ariety of this $reed.
In the orna&enta" c"ass there is no #articu"ar outstandin $reed' since the ducks $e"onin
in this c"ass are ke#t %ery "are"y to satisfy the #"easure of the o!ner and the se"ection of
a $reed is entire"y a &atter of #ersona" #reference.

E Production
8hi"e the conditions under !hich ducks are ke#t and the care they are i%en !i"" affect
their e #roduction reat"y' there are certain rather definite co&#arisons that can $e
&ade $et!een the different $reeds. The Pekin is a ood "ayer and !i"" #roduce fro& ,+ to
(*+ es. The Ay"es$ury and the Rouen are a$out a"ike in "ayin a$i"ity' neither $ein
9uite as ood as the Pekin. The Cayua is a ood "ayer rankin !ith the Ay"es$ury and
Rouen or $et!een these and the Pekin. The 6usco%y is an exce""ent "ayer $ein fu""y as
#ro"ific as the Pekin' es#ecia""y if $roken u# !hen $roody and not a""o!ed to sit. The
@"ue S!edish is a$out e9ua" to the Cayua in "ayin a$i"ity. The @uff duck is an exce""ent
"ayer co&#arin fa%ora$"y !ith the Pekin or e%en !ith the Runner. The Runner ducks are
the $est "ayers of the duck fa&i"y and if i%en #ro#er care and ood feed !i"" co&#are
fa%ora$"y !ith hens in e #roducin a$i"ity. The Crested 8hite duck is not a #articu"ar"y
ood "ayer. The Ca""s and the @"ack East India ducks !i"" "ay fro& *+ to .+ es #er year'
a##roachin the "atter nu&$er if the es are co""ected as "aid and the ducks are not
a""o!ed to sit !hich !i"" induce so&e of the& to continue to "ay for 9uite a #ortion of the
year. Extre&e"y "are ducks of any $reed do not "ay as !e"" as the &ore &ediu& siAed
$irds.
SiAe of Duck Es. The es of the different &eat $reeds !i"" run a$out the sa&e in siAe
!ith the exce#tion of the 6usco%y !hose es run a "itt"e "arer. Actua" !eihts of es
fro& re#resentati%e f"ocks sho! Pekin' Rouen' Ay"es$ury and Cayua es to a%erae
a$out *=(E* #ounds #er doAen a"thouh there is a tendency for the Rouen es to run
so&e!hat "arer and for Cayuas to run a "itt"e s&a""er. 6usco%y es !eih a$out 1
#ounds #er doAen !ith se"ected "are es !eihin as hih as 1=(E/ #ounds. Es of the
Runner duck are s&a""er $ut are considera$"y "arer than a%erae hens> es or a$out the
siAe of "are 6inorca es. They !eih a$out * #ounds #er doAen. Es of the $anta&
$reeds of ducks' the Ca""s and the @"ack East India' toether !ith those of the 6andarin
and 8ood ducks !i"" !eih fro& one #ound to (=(E* #ounds #er doAen de#endin u#on
the siAe of the ducks the&se"%es. Es of the 6a""ard duck !i"" run fro& *. to 1* ounces
to the doAen. The siAe of es "aid $y ducks' es#ecia""y the $anta& $reeds and the
6a""ard can $e increased so&e!hat $y "i$era" feedin. A%erae hens> es shou"d !eih
a$out (=(E* #ounds #er doAen.
Co"or of Es. The co"or of duck es ranes fro& !hite to a #o"ished $"ack. Pekin es
run &ost"y !hite a"thouh so&e sho! a decided $"ue or reen tint. Ay"es$ury es run
9uite unifor&"y !hite. The co"or of Rouen es %aries fro& !hite to a dark reen. The
Cayua #roduces %ery fe! !hite es' &ost of the& $ein reen or $"ack' so&e $ein as
$"ack as thouh #o"ished. 6usco%y es run fro& a !hite to a reenish crea& in co"or.
The es of the @"ue S!edish and the @uff ducks usua""y run !hite. The Runner duck
"ays !hite es as a ru"e !hi"e the Crested 8hite duck "ays es !hich rane in co"or
fro& !hite to reen. The es of the Ca"" ducks run fro& !hite to reen !hi"e the es of
the @"ack East India' "ike the Cayua' for the &ost #art run fro& reen to $"ack.
A #ecu"iarity in reard to the e co"or is that the sa&e fe&a"e &ay "ay es !hich are
!ide"y different in co"or. It is "ike!ise true that the co"or of the she"" is inf"uenced to
so&e extent $y the feed. Ducks on rane !i"" "ay darker co"ored es than those !hich
are yarded. There is a"so a tendency for the es to run darker in co"or !hen "ayin first
$eins and for the es to "ihten as "ayin #roceeds. A #ecu"iarity in reard to duck es
!ith a dark co"ored she"" is that a thorouh !ashin !i"" "ihten u# the she"" co"or
decided"y.
@roodiness. The 6usco%y' the Ca"" and the @"ack East India ducks are $roody $reeds.
The ducks of these $reeds !i"" &ake their nests' hatch their es and are ood &others.
A"" the other $reeds are c"assed as non=$roody $reeds. 7f course' a certain #ercentae of
the& !i"" o $roody and sho! a desire to sit $ut they do not &ake re"ia$"e sitters and
&others and are not as a ru"e used for this #ur#ose.

Considerations in 6akin the 6atinF(G
Since ducks are ke#t for different #ur#oses there !i"" of course $e certain funda&enta"
differences in the different c"asses in the se"ection of the indi%idua"s to &ake u# the
&atin. 8hate%er the #ur#ose' ho!e%er' the first consideration in se"ectin the $reeders
&ust $e to secure those !hich #ossess exce""ent %ior and enera" hea"th and !hich &eet
insofar as #ossi$"e the standard re9uire&ents for siAe. 8here the Ca"" duck and the @"ack
East India are concerned the se"ection for siAe &ust $e for s&a""ness since that is a
characteristic reat"y desired. In the other $reeds the se"ection for siAe &ust $e to see that
they co&e u# to the standard !eihts for the #articu"ar $reed in 9uestion. As in other
c"asses of fo!"s the condition and c"ean"iness of the #"u&ae and the enera" a##earance
and actions of the $irds are ood indications of their hea"th and thriftiness. A $riht eye is
"ike!ise a %a"ua$"e indication of ood hea"th !hi"e a !atery eye is usua""y a sin of
!eakness. It is necessary to uard aainst $irds !hich sho! any tendency to!ard crooked
or roach $ack' hu&# $ack' crooked tai"s' or t!isted !ins. Since a"" $reeds of ducks
shou"d ha%e c"ean or unfeathered "es it is "ike!ise necessary to uard aainst any
$reeders !hich sho! do!n on the shanks or $et!een the toes as this so&eti&es occurs.
F;ootnote (: ;or a &ore detai"ed discussion of the #rinci#"es of $reedin as a##"ied to
chickens and !hich is e9ua""y a##"ica$"e to ducks' the reader is referred to DThe 6atin
and @reedin of Pou"tryD $y Harry 6. Ha&on and Ro$ R. S"ocu&' #u$"ished $y the
7rane Iudd Pu$"ishin Co&#any' 4e! 5ork City.G
In se"ectin the &atin for any one of the &eat $reeds use $irds !hich ha%e ood "enth'
!idth and de#th of $ody so that they !i"" ha%e #"enty of &eat carryin ca#acity. ;or
$reeders of &arket ducks' $irds !hich are acti%e' !e"" &atured and !hich are not extre&e
in siAe for the $reed are #refera$"e as the ferti"ity is "ike"y to run $etter than !ith the
extre&e"y "are $irds. 8here $irds are $red for exhi$ition #ur#oses' it fre9uent"y ha##ens
that it is desira$"e to use "are $reeders and to ho"d the& for $reedin #ur#oses as "on as
they are in ood $reedin condition. 8here this is the case it $eco&es necessary to &ate
a s&a""er nu&$er of fe&a"es to a drake than !ou"d $e the case !ith s&a""er and youner
$reeders. 8here o"d $irds are used as $reeders $etter resu"ts !i"" $e secured $y &atin
o"d ducks to a youn drake or %ice %ersa than $y &atin toether o"d $irds of $oth sexes.
8hi"e ducks of any of the &eat $reeds are ke#t #ri&ari"y for &eat #roduction' it is
essentia" that the e #roduction $e ood throuhout the $reedin season in order to raise
as &any duck"ins and secure as reat a #rofit as #ossi$"e. Se"ection of the fe&a"es as
$reeders shou"d $e &ade therefore on the $asis of ood e #roduction as !e"" as ood
&eat ty#e if the conditions under !hich the ducks are ke#t are such as to &ake it #ossi$"e
to check this in any &anner.
In se"ectin the &atin in the Runner $reed it is necessary to kee# in &ind that the
enera" ty#e of $ody is 9uite different fro& that of the &eat $reeds' $ein &uch s"i&&er
and &uch &ore u#riht in $ody carriae. ;or this &atin se"ect thrifty' hea"thy $irds and
those !hich are acti%e. So&e $reeders tra#nest their Runner ducks or ha%e so&e other
&eans of checkin u# the $etter "ayers. As in chickens' it is of course desira$"e to use
these $etter "ayers as $reeders since the #ur#ose in kee#in this kind of duck is #ri&ari"y
e #roduction.
In se"ectin the &atin in the Ca"" and East India $reeds it is necessary to use the s&a""er
ducks since the o$?ect here is to kee# the siAe s&a"". In addition' !ith these $reeds or !ith
any other $reeds ke#t and $red #ri&ari"y for fancy or exhi$ition #ur#oses' it is necessary
to confor& ?ust as c"ose"y as #ossi$"e to the standard re9uire&entsF*G $oth insofar as siAe
and ty#e are concerned' and a"so !ith res#ect to co"or.
F;ootnote *: ;or a co&#"ete and officia" descri#tion and "ist of dis9ua"ifications of the
standard $reeds and %arieties of ducks' the reader is referred to the A&erican Standard of
Perfection #u$"ished $y the A&erican Pou"try Association' and o$tained $y 7rane Iudd
Pu$"ishin Co&#any' 4e! 5ork' 4. 5.G

@reeds of Ducks
The Pekin. 8hi"e this %ariety !ants to $e of ood siAe and to ha%e "enth' $readth and
de#th of $ody it is so&e!hat &ore u#standin than so&e of the other &eat $reeds'
sho!in a definite s"o#e of $ody do!n!ard fro& shou"ders to tai". The $ack "ine of the
Pekin shou"d sho! a s"iht conca%ity fro& the shou"ders to the tai" and the u##er "ine of
the $i"" is "ike!ise s"iht"y conca%e $et!een the #oint !here it ?oins the head and its
extre&ity. The shou"ders shou"d $e $road and any tendency to!ard narro!ness at this
#oint &ust $e a%oided. 8hi"e a ood de#th of kee" is desired' the standard does not ca""
for so dee# a kee" as in the Ay"es$ury. As a &atter of fact' ho!e%er' the !innin
s#eci&ens as seen in the sho!s are not as a ru"e as erect in carriae as ca""ed for $y the
standard i""ustration' there $ein a tendency to et the& a"&ost if not 9uite as dee# in kee"
as the Ay"es$ury. In fact' so&e $reeders see& to stri%e for a "o! do!n kee" a##roachin a
condition !here they are near"y as "o! in front as $ehind $ut this is not desira$"e Pekin
ty#e.
So&eti&es a drake !i"" sho! a rouh neck' that is' the feathers on the $ack of the neck
!i"" $e crossed or fo"ded o%er sho!in a tendency to cur". These $irds shou"d $e a%oided
as $reeders since there is a tendency for the& to #roduce ducks ha%in a crest. So&eti&es
a reen or a reenish s#otted $i"" !i"" $e encountered. Since the $i"" shou"d $e a c"ear
ye""o!' $reeders sho!in this defect shou"d $e a%oided #articu"ar"y as they are "ike"y to
#roduce $irds ha%in reenish or o"i%e co"ored "es. The shanks and toes shou"d $e a
c"ear dee# orane. @"ack so&eti&es occurs in the $ean. This &ay occur in $irds of either
sex $ut is &ore co&&on in the ducks than in the drakes. In the drake $"ack in the $ean
dis9ua"ifies $ut !hi"e it is undesira$"e and a serious defect in the duck it does not
dis9ua"ify. The co"or of the #"u&ae is !hite or crea&y !hite throuhout. Crea&iness in
this %ariety is not a serious defect as it is in !hite chickens. The use' ho!e%er' of ye""o!
corn and of foods %ery rich in oi" tends to increase the crea&iness of the #"u&ae and
shou"d not $e used to excess for $irds !hich are to $e exhi$ited.
The Ay"es$ury. This $reed is #articu"ar"y noted for its dee# kee". It differs fro& the Pekin
in ty#e in that it is &ore near"y "e%e" in $ody. There is a decided tendency for the
Ay"es$ury to run too short in $ody !hich has #ro$a$"y co&e a$out $y extre&e se"ection
for dee# kee". It is !e""' therefore' in &akin the &atin to se"ect $reeders !ith ood
"enth of $ody. Since the dee# fu"" $reast and kee" is characteristic of this $reed it is
necessary to a%oid $reeders !hich sho! any tendency to!ard a f"at $reast. As in the case
of the Pekins a%oid any $irds !hich ha%e reen or o"i%e co"ored $i""s. The $ack "ine of the
Ay"es$ury shou"d $e straiht' sho!in no tendency to!ard a s"iht conca%ity as in the
Pekin. @irds sho!in this sha#e $ack shou"d $e a%oided. As in the Pekin $"ack on the $i""
or $ean of the drake !i"" dis9ua"ify and in the duck is a serious defect. The co"or of
#"u&ae shou"d $e !hite throuhout and shou"d sho! no tendency to!ard crea&iness.
The $i"" in this $reed is f"esh co"ored instead of ye""o! as in the Pekin. The Ay"es$ury is
not 9uite as ner%ous a $reed as the Pekin.
The Rouen. The Rouen duck is a #arti=co"ored $reed and is therefore &uch &ore difficu"t
to secure in #erfection of co"or and &arkin than is the case !ith the !hite $reeds.
6oreo%er' the dark #in feathers &ake the ducks &ore difficu"t to dress than in !hite
$reeds. In ty#e these $irds are %ery "e%e" in $ody and are &assi%e' carryin a reat dea" of
&eat. A%oid $irds sho!in a "ack of "enth of $ody or de#th of kee" or !hich are too f"at
in $reast. The $ack of the Rouen shou"d ha%e a s"iht"y con%ex or arched sha#e fro& neck
to tai" and it is necessary to uard aainst $irds !hich ha%e a f"at or a conca%e $ack. The
$ody of the Rouen shou"d $e carried #ractica""y horiAonta". The u##er "ine of the $i""
shou"d $e s"iht"y dished or conca%e. The !hite rin a$out the neck of the drake is an
i&#ortant #art of the &arkin. This shou"d not $e too !ide $ut shou"d run a$out a 9uarter
of an inch in !idth. It shou"d $e as distinct and c"ean cut as #ossi$"e $ut shou"d not 9uite
co&e toether in the rear. Any a##roach to a rin in the fe&a"e is a dis9ua"ification.
8hite in the #ri&ary or secondary !in feathers is a serious defect since it constitutes a
dis9ua"ification. It &ust therefore $e carefu""y a%oided. 8hite feathers in the f"uff of the
drake is another co"or defect !hich &ust $e uarded aainst.
@reast of Drake. The farther the c"aret co"or on the $reast of the drake extends do!n the
$etter !i"" $e the fe&a"es secured fro& the &atin. Drakes !hich are deficient in the
a&ount of c"aret on the $reast shou"d therefore $e thro!n out as $reeders. A #ur#"e ru&#
in drakes &ust $e a%oided as &ust $"ack feathers o%er the ru&# as they tend to kee# u#
too dark a $ody co"or in the fe&a"e. 7n the other hand too $riht or "iht a co"or in the
&a"e or exhi$ition fe&a"e !i"" #roduce fe&a"es !hich are too "iht in co"or. Drakes !ith
"iht o"i%e co"ored $i""s &ust $e a%oided as these !i"" ha%e a tendency to #roduce
offs#rin !hich sho! too &uch ye""o! in the fe&a"es> $i""s' and c"ear ye""o! $i""s
constitute a dis9ua"ification. In the fe&a"es so"id ye""o! $i""s' fa!n co"ored $reasts and
a$sence of #enci"in &ust $e a%oided. ;e&a"es !hich are dark or near"y $"ack o%er the
ru&# are ood $reeders as they tend to kee# u# the round co"or of the $ody and tai".
The Rouen sho!s so&e tendency to fade in co"or. This is e%idenced first on the ti#s of the
!ins. The fadin !i"" a"so sho! in the f"uff of drakes. The drakes of this $reed and
"ike!ise of the Cray Ca"" and the 6a""ard sho! a #ecu"iar $eha%ior !ith res#ect to the
co"or of their #"u&ae. A$out Iune ( the drakes &ou"t' "osin their characteristic &a"e
adu"t #"u&ae and the ne! #"u&ae is #ractica""y that of the fe&a"e. This fe&a"e
#"u&ae is retained unti" a$out 7cto$er !hen they radua""y reain their nor&a" !inter
&a"e #"u&ae. 5oun Rouens of $oth sexes ha%e fe&a"e #"u&ae unti" the "ast &ou"t
!hich occurs at a$out four or fi%e &onths of ae' !hen the drakes assu&e the adu"t &a"e
#"u&ae. The sex of the youn Rouens can' ho!e%er' $e to"d $y the difference in the
co"or of the $i""s.
The Cayua. The Cayua is &uch "ike the other $reeds of the &eat c"ass in enera" ty#e
or sha#e of $ody sho!in ood "enth' $readth and de#th. It is a %ery so"id duck and
!eihs hea%ier than it "ooks. The $ody carriae is s"iht"y &ore u#riht than the Rouen
$ut not so &uch so as the Pekin. The $ack "ine shou"d $e straiht and any tendency
to!ard an arched $ack &ust $e a%oided. It is s"iht"y s&a""er than the Pekin' Ay"es$ury
and Rouen' a%erain a$out a #ound "ess.
In &akin the &atin' siAe is i&#ortant and $reeders shou"d $e se"ected !hich are u# to
standard !eihts if #ossi$"e. 8hi"e this $reed is not ke#t %ery !ide"y at the #resent ti&e'
ne%erthe"ess it is an exce""ent &arket duck' dressin out into a %ery #"u&# ye""o! carcass
in s#ite of its $"ack #"u&ae !hich is a disad%antae in dressin. The co"or shou"d $e a
"ustrous reenish $"ack throuhout' $ein so&e!hat $rihter in the drake than in the
duck. The duck is &ore "ike"y to sho! a $ro!nish cast of #"u&ae' #articu"ar"y as she
ro!s o"der. It is hard to ho"d ood $"ack co"or !ith ae. 6oreo%er' !hite or ray is a#t
to occur in the $reast of fe&a"es. 8ith ae a"so a "itt"e !hite so&eti&es de%e"o#s on the
$ack of the neck' around the eyes and underneath the neck at the $ase of the $i"". The
!hite !hich occurs in $reast is &ore "ike"y to co&e in ducks and is not co&&on"y found
in the drakes. In the drakes on the other hand' there is a tendency for the !hite to co&e on
the throat under the $i"".
Drakes as a ru"e run truer in co"or and ho"d their co"or $etter than do the ducks. 8here the
!hite &ott"in occurs in #"u&ae !ith ae one need not hesitate to $reed fro& these $irds
if they !ere of ood $"ack co"or as youn $irds. The drakes of the $est co"or do not as a
ru"e fade or $eco&e &ott"ed to any reat extent !ith ae. It is necessary to uard aainst
$irds as $reeders !hich ha%e a rusty $ro!n "acin on the $reast and under the !ins' a"so
those !hich ha%e a !in=$o! "aced !ith $ro!n. There is a tendency for the $i"" of
drakes' !hich shou"d $e $"ack' to $e too "iht or o"i%e in co"or and this tendency increases
!ith ae. Drakes !ith $i""s of this co"or shou"d $e a%oided as $reeders. 8hen Cayuas
are first hatched the $a$y ducks a"" sho! a !hite $reast.
The Ca"". The Ca"" ducks are the $anta&s of the duck race. There is a"!ays a tendency for
the& to ro! too "are and this is es#ecia""y true !hen they ha%e an o##ortunity to eat a""
they !ant as for exa&#"e !hen they are fed !ith the "arer ducks. They shou"d not $e fed
too "i$era""y and shou"d $e i%en !heat or so&e other so"id rain rather than any &ash. If
there is a ood #ond of !ater to !hich the Ca"" ducks can ha%e access they do not need to
$e fed &uch of anythin.
In $reedin' the s&a""est indi%idua"s !hich are suita$"e in other res#ects for $reeders'
shou"d $e se"ected in order to kee# do!n the siAe and offset the tendency to $reed "arer
in successi%e enerations. In ty#e the Ca""s are #ractica""y &iniature Pekins exce#t that
they shou"d ha%e a %ery short' rather $road head and $i"". The $road f"at and short $i"" and
the round short head i%e the head an a##earance !hich is often descri$ed $y the ter&
D$utton headedD. In this $reed a%oid $irds !hich sho! arched $acks. The $ody shou"d
ha%e !hat is kno!n as a f"atiron sha#e' that is' shou"d $e $road at the shou"ders and ta#er
to!ard the tai". Too dee# kee"s and narro! shou"ders shou"d $e a%oided as shou"d a"so too
"on $i""s. Ca"" ducks' toether !ith East Indias and 6a""ards shou"d ha%e their !ins
c"i##ed or $e #inioned' that is' ha%e the first ?oint of one !in cut off' to #re%ent the&
fro& f"yin a!ay.
The Cray Ca"". The #"u&ae of the Cray Ca"" is #ractica""y that of the Rouen a"thouh
they are not 9uite as ood in co"or as a $reed. There is &ore of a tendency for so&e of the
$irds to run to dark and others' es#ecia""y the &a"es' to run too "iht in co"or. 8hi"e they
are "ike"y to $e !e"" #enci"ed the shade of co"or is a#t to $e !ron. 8hite in the f"ihts
and under the !ins &ust $e uarded aainst as &ust a"so a$sence of ri$$on or !in $ar
in fe&a"es. The co"or of the #"u&ae is "ike"y to fade !ith ae $ut after the $irds &ou"t
and secure their ne! #"u&ae' the co"or is usua""y hiher aain. In enera" the sa&e co"or
characteristics ho"d true as !ith the Rouen and the sa&e defects &ust $e uarded aainst.
The 8hite Ca"". This %ariety is' $oth in ty#e and co"or' #ractica""y a &iniature Pekin
exce#t for the short' rather $road head and $i"". They $reed %ery true in co"or and shou"d
$e free fro& crea&iness. The sa&e enera" defects &ust $e !atched for and a%oided as in
the Pekin.
The @"ack East India. This is a $"ack $reed !hich is s&a"" in siAe $ein a $anta& duck
"ike the Ca"". As a &atter of fact it is a &iniature Cayua. The co"or shou"d $e $"ack
throuhout and the sa&e co"or characteristics ho"d true as in the case of the Cayua. The
sa&e co"or defects &ust therefore $e uarded aainst' the !orst one $ein !hite in the
$reast of fe&a"es es#ecia""y. A%oid $reedin fro& a drake !ith a $"ack $i"" as in this
res#ect the $reed differs fro& the Cayua since the $i"" of the duck shou"d $e $"ack $ut
that of the drake shou"d $e %ery dark reen. Pur#"e $arrin &ust $e carefu""y se"ected
aainst.
The 6usco%y. This $reed differs in certain res#ects %ery &arked"y fro& the other
standard $reeds of ducks. They are "on and $road in $ody !hich is carried in a
horiAonta" #osition $ut are not so dee# in kee" as the Pekin' Ay"es$ury or Rouen. The
"onest $odied youn ducks !i"" &ake the "arest indi%idua"s. The head shou"d ha%e
feathers on the to# !hich can $e e"e%ated at !i"" to for& a crest. Cuard aainst $reeders
ha%in s&ooth heads' or in other !ords' "ackin a crest. The face is co%ered !ith
corruations or carunc"es and shou"d $e red in co"or. At the $ase of the u##er $i"" there is
a sort of kno$="ike for&ation in the drake !hich ser%es as one of the distinuishin
characteristics $et!een the duck and drake of this $reed. The &ore #ro&inent the kno$
and the &ore !rink"ed or corruated the face the $etter is the s#eci&en in this res#ect.
The !ins are "on and stron and these $irds f"y %ery !e"". They !i"" a"so c"i&$ fences.
The drakes are 9uite #unacious and fiht one another $ad"y at ti&es. They are es#ecia""y
#unacious !hen they ha%e youn.
This $reed of ducks !i"" often roost on roosts "ike chickens or in the trees or on the $arn.
They do not 9uack "ike other ducks and un"ike other do&esticated $reeds !hich &ou"t
t!o or three ti&es a year' they &ou"t on"y once' takin "oner to do so' usua""y a$out )+
days' a"thouh the fe&a"e &ay co&#"ete her &ou"t a "itt"e sooner. The #eriod of
incu$ation for 6usco%y es is "oner' $ein fro& 11 to 12 days as co&#ared to *, days
for other $reeds. In siAe the &a"e and fe&a"e differ considera$"y as !i"" $e seen fro& the
standard !eihts i%en JSee Pae (/K' the &a"e $ein considera$"y "arer. These ducks
"ay !e""' the ferti"ity runs ood' the es hatch !e""' and the "itt"e ducks are hardy and
easi"y raised. They are a $roody $reed. The ducks !i"" &ake their nests and hatch out
their es if a""o!ed to do so and are exce""ent &others. So&eti&es they !i"" f"y u# and
&ake their nests in a ho""o! tree. A 6usco%y duck can co%er #ro#er"y a$out *+ es. In
s#ite of the fact that they f"y !e"" they are easi"y do&esticated. It takes a$out t!o years
for the &a"es of this $reed to fu""y &ature a"thouh the ducks et their fu"" siAe !hen one
year of ae. The 6usco%y is #erha#s the $est enera" #ur#ose $reed for a far& f"ock.
The extent and intensity of the red of the face increases u# to &aturity and the redder the
face the $etter. The #"u&ae of the 6usco%y is not as do!ny or oi"y as other $reeds' the
feathers $ein harder. ;or this reason the $irds are &ore a#t to $eco&e !ater soaked and
to dro!n as a resu"t !hen they ha%e not $een accusto&ed to !ater in !hich to s!i&. This
is es#ecia""y true of the drakes on account of their "are siAe and "on !in feathers.
6usco%y ducks dress !e""' ha%in a rich ye""o! skin' and therefore &ake a ood &arket
duck' a"thouh the difference in siAe of the duck and drake and the dark #in feathers of
the Co"ored %ariety are disad%antaes fro& a &arket stand#oint. Se"ect aainst $reeders
!hich run s&a"" in siAe as there is &ore or "ess of a tendency for this $reed to decrease in
siAe. The 6usco%y is "on "i%ed' s#eci&ens ha%in $een kno!n to $reed unti" they !ere
eiht or ten years of ae.
The Co"ored 6usco%y. A"thouh the standard ca""s for &ore or "ess !hite in different
sections of this %ariety' as a &atter of fact $reeders desire to et the $irds as dark as
#ossi$"e exce#t for a %ery s&a"" #atch of !hite on the $reast and a s&a"" #atch of !hite
on the center of the !in. Indeed' $irds !ithout the !hite on the $reast and !ith %ery
"itt"e on the !in are %a"ua$"e $reeders since there is a tendency for too &uch !hite to
occur in the #"u&ae. 7ccasiona""y a"" $"ack $irds occur and these can $e used to
ad%antae in $reedin !hen there is a tendency to!ard too &uch !hite in #"u&ae.
P"u&ae &ore than ha"f !hite is a dis9ua"ification. The dark #"u&ae $irds such as are
!anted are %ery "ike"y to sho! considera$"e $"ack or y#sy co"or in the face !hich
shou"d $e a ood red. This &ust $e se"ected aainst insofar as #ossi$"e. The near"y $"ack
or the darkest $irds are 9uite "ike"y to sho! so&e !hite or riAA"in on the head. CriAA"ed
or $ro!nish #enci"ed feathers so&eti&es occur in %arious #arts of the #"u&ae and &ust
of course $e uarded aainst as the &arkins shou"d $e distinct"y $"ack and !hite. The
$a$y ducks of this %ariety are 9uite a#t to sho! considera$"e !hite a"thouh the $est of
the& co&e ye""o!ish $"ack. This %ariety tends to run a "itt"e "arer in siAe than the !hite
%ariety a"thouh the standard !eihts are the sa&e for $oth. Dun or choco"ate co"ored
ducks so&eti&es co&e fro& Co"ored 6usco%ies !hi"e @"ue 6usco%ies can $e #roduced
$y crossin the Co"ored and the !hite %arieties.
The 8hite 6usco%y. This %ariety shou"d ha%e #ure !hite #"u&ae throuhout. 5oun
6usco%ies of $oth sexes often ha%e a #atch of $"ack on to# of the head u# to the ti&e
they &ou"t at &aturity. Since $"ack dis9ua"ifies it is i&#ossi$"e to sho! youn ducks in
this condition $ut these $"ack feathers usua""y co&e in !hite after the &ou"t and such
$irds need not therefore $e discarded as $reeders. 8hen it is desired to sho! youn
8hite 6usco%ies !hich ha%e $"ack on the head it is custo&ary to #"uck these $"ack
feathers a sufficient ti&e $efore the sho! so that the !hite feathers !hich co&e in their
#"ace !i"" ha%e ti&e to ro! out. There is "itt"e or no trou$"e !ith $"ack or y#sy face in
this %ariety.
The @"ue S!edish. In ty#e and siAe this $reed is a$out the sa&e as the Cayua a"thouh
#erha#s s"iht"y &ore u#standin. In se"ectin the &atin it is i&#ortant to use $irds
!hich are c"ose to standard !eiht as there is so&e!hat of a tendency for the siAe to $e
too s&a"". As its na&e indicates the co"or is "are"y $"ue exce#t for a !hite heart=sha#ed
#atch or $i$ !hich shou"d $e #resent on the $reast. So&eti&es this !hite extends a"on
the underside of the $ody fro& the under=$i"" a"&ost to the %ent. Such $irds are
undesira$"e as $reeders since they sho! too &uch !hite. 7n the other hand $irds "ackin
a #ro&inent !hite $i$ &ust a"so $e a%oided. T!o of the f"iht feathers shou"d $e !hite
and $irds "ackin these &ust $e a%oided. Cuard aainst any red' ray or $"ack in any #art
of the #"u&ae. So&eti&es' ho!e%er' $irds ha%in &ore or "ess $"ack throuhout the
#"u&ae are used as $reeders for the #ur#ose of strenthenin the $"ue co"or. A%oid any
tendency to!ard a ri$$on on the !in=$o! and a"so $irds that are too "iht' ashy or
!ashed out in the $"ue co"or.
So&eti&es $irds sho! "ines of !hite feathers around the eyes and o%er the head and these
shou"d $e se"ected aainst as $reeders as they are "ike"y to cause !hite s#"ashin in the
#"u&ae. 5e""o! or reenish $i""s &ust "ike!ise $e a%oided since the first of these is a
dis9ua"ification. In enera" this %ariety in $reedin $eha%es insofar as co"or is concerned'
%ery &uch "ike the @"ue Anda"usian chicken.F1G The youn ducks !hen hatched are
ye""o! or crea&y $"ue and fro& $"ue &atins there are a"so #roduced $"ack and !hite
duck"ins. As in other co"ored $reeds and %arieties' the dark #in feathers are so&e!hat of
a disad%antae fro& a &arket stand#oint.
F;ootnote 1: ;or a detai"ed discussion of the $eha%iour of the @"ue Anda"usian in
$reedin' the reader is referred to DThe 6atin and @reedin of Pou"tryD $y Harry 6.
Ha&on and Ro$ R. S"ocu&' #u$"ished $y the 7rane Iudd Pu$"ishin Co&#any' 4e!
5ork City.G
The Crested 8hite. A"thouh not so "are' this $reed is &uch "ike the Pekin $ut !ith $ody
carried &ore near"y horiAonta" and !ith a crest on the head. The ty#e %aries considera$"y
ho!e%er' the #rinci#a" se"ection #racticed ha%in $een for crest. The #"u&ae is !hite in
co"or throuhout. 8hat is desired in the crest is to ha%e as "are a one as #ossi$"e' round
and #erfect in for&' and set s9uare"y on the head. 4ot infre9uent"y crooked crests occur
and a"so dou$"e or s#"it crests' that is to say' !here the crest is #arted or di%ided. In so&e
cases the crests &ay e%en co&e tre$"e' that is' s#"it into three #arts. Entire a$sence of
crest is $y no &eans unco&&on. In fact' it is considered a #retty ood #ro#ortion if one
ha"f of the ducks hatched ha%e crests a"thouh the &atins %ary considera$"y in this'
occasiona""y one #roducin #ractica""y (++3 of the offs#rin !ith crests. A%oid as
$reeders $irds !ith s&a"" crests' "o##ed crests' s#"it crests or sho!in an a$sence of crest.
A%oid a"so $reeders sho!in &ott"ed or reen $i""s in fe&a"es and $"ack $ean in the $i""
of drakes.
The @uff. In ty#e this $reed is si&i"ar to the S!edish. As !i"" $e seen fro& the standard
!eihts it is one of the &ediu& siAed $reeds and &akes a %ery nice &arket $ird as it
dresses out into a nice round fat carcass and is a ood "ayer. In co"or the $irds of $oth
sexes shou"d $e as unifor& a $uff as #ossi$"e exce#t that the head and u##er #art of the
neck in the drake shou"d $e sea" $ro!n !hen in fu"" #"u&ae. Co"or defects !hich are
"ike"y to $e encountered and !hich shou"d $e a%oided are the tendency for the head of the
drake to run to a chestnut co"or and for his neck to $e too "iht or faded out in co"or.
So&eti&es the head of the drake runs too dark in co"or a##roachin a reenish $"ack "ike
the head of the Rouen. This is of course undesira$"e. The !ins of $oth sexes are a#t to
run to "iht or e%en in so&e cases' #ure !hite f"ihts. @"ue !in $ars are so&eti&es
sho!n and these &ust $e carefu""y a%oided. Penci"in such as is found in the ;a!n and
8hite Runner so&eti&es occurs and since it is a serious defect &ust $e riid"y uarded
aainst. Any tendency to!ard a !hite $i$ or a !hite rin around the neck of $oth sexes
&ust "ike!ise $e a%oided. Creenish or &ott"ed $i""s &ust $e a%oided in ducks !hich are
to $e used as $reeders. 4ot &uch trou$"e is ex#erienced in the $i"" of drakes !hich as a
ru"e co&es ood. Any $"ue cast in the feathers on the ru&# and $ack of $oth sexes &ust
$e se"ected aainst. As a ru"e the fe&a"es of this $reed tend to $e $etter co"ored than the
&a"es. At certain #eriods of the &ou"t the head co"orin of the drakes $eco&es a ood
$uff co"or and "ater !hen the &ou"t is co&#"ete' it chanes to a co##er co"or. 8hen
hatched the duck"ins are a crea&y ye""o!.
The Runner. The ty#e of this $reed is 9uite different fro& that of the other $reed of ducks
and ty#e is %ery i&#ortant. The Runner !ants to $e decided"y u#standin and to $e %ery
reachy. It shou"d ha%e %ery s"i& s"ender "ines. The neck shou"d $e straiht and the head
shou"d $e carried at riht an"es to the neck. The $i"" shou"d $e #erfect"y straiht on to#
and on a "ine !ith the sku"" sho!in a$so"ute"y no tendency to $e dished. The "es of this
$reed are "oner than those of other ducks and this accounts for the fact that they run
rather than !add"e !hen they &o%e a$out. It is fro& this fact that they et their na&e.
They are %ery acti%e and are trou$"eso&e a$out cra!"in throuh fences. They are ood
"ayers and non=sitters and they ha%e often $een ca""ed the Hehorns of the duck fa&i"y. It
&ust $e re&e&$ered' ho!e%er' that !hi"e they ha%e the inherent a$i"ity to "ay as !e"" as
hens they !i"" do this on"y !hen they recei%e #ro#er feed and care. It is 9uite use"ess to
ex#ect a hih e yie"d fro& the& !hen they are care"ess"y fed and i&#ro#er"y housed
and cared for. A%oid as $reeders ducks of $oth sexes that are too hea%y $ehind' or in other
!ords' are too hea%y=$otto&ed. A%oid $irds !hich are too short in "es. A%oid crooked or
shar# $acks. Round heads &ust "ike!ise $e a%oided.
The ;a!n and 8hite Runner. In this %ariety the &arkins &ust $e %ery distinct and
definite. There is a tendency !hich &ust $e a%oided for the head to run to $"ack instead
of chestnut' es#ecia""y in &a"es. It is "ike!ise necessary to a%oid fe&a"es !hich tend to
sho! #enci"in on the sides of the $reast or on the !in=$o!s. These defects are a#t to $e
associated !ith co"ored f"iht feathers !hich is a"so a defect to $e a%oided. Cuard aainst
too &uch fa!n extendin u# the neck fro& the $ody to the head as the neck shou"d $e
!hite in co"or. Too dark tai" co%erts a##roachin a reenish $"ack so&eti&es occur and
are undesira$"e. In ty#e this %ariety !i"" not a%erae 9uite as ood as the 8hite.
The 8hite Runner. This %ariety is $est in ty#e and it "ike!ise runs ood in co"or !hich
shou"d $e !hite throuhout. So&eti&es forein co"or !i"" $e sho!n in the $ack of
fe&a"es and this of course &ust $e a%oided. A"so a%oid $irds as $reeders !ith reen or
&ott"ed $i""s.
The Penci"ed Runner. In ty#e this %ariety runs a$out the sa&e as the ;a!n and 8hite.
The co"or co&$ination is rather difficu"t to $reed as it is hard to et the ood #enci"in
desired in the fe&a"e toether !ith the !hite &arkins. In enera"' in $reedin this
%ariety there is a tendency to #ay &ore attention to ty#e than to co"or. The #enci"in is
"ike that of the Rouen $ut "ihter in co"or consistin of a $ro!n #enci"in on a fa!n
co"ored round. A%oid any rayish sti##"in on the $reast of the drake and a"so on the
!in=$o!s. These defects are "ike"y to $e associated !ith co"ored f"ihts !hich are
undesira$"e. The co"ored #ortion of the head of the drake is darker than that of the duck in
this %ariety. A%oid "ack of !hite on the neck in $oth sexes and a%oid fe&a"es !hich are
"ackin in #enci"in.
Pre#arin Ducks for the Sho!. Aside fro& se"ectin the indi%idua"s !hich &ost near"y
a##roach the standard re9uire&ents there is %ery "itt"e !hich can $e done in the !ay of
#re#arin the $irds for the sho! as these fo!"s are #ractica""y se"f=#re#ared. ;or a #eriod
of at "east a !eek or ten days $efore they are shi##ed to the sho! those intended for
exhi$ition shou"d $e i%en access to a rass rane and a"so if #ossi$"e to runnin !ater.
The rass rane !i"" kee# the& in ood condition and the runnin !ater !i"" a""o! the&
to c"ean the&se"%es. Any $roken feathers shou"d $e #"ucked at "east six !eeks $efore the
$irds are to $e sho!n in order to a""o! the feathers ti&e enouh to ro! out aain. It
&ust $e re&e&$ered that &ost ducks after ettin in a ood condition of f"esh do not
tend to ho"d this for a %ery "on #eriod $ut soon ro! thinner aain and !i"" not take on
fat the second ti&e for so&e "itt"e #eriod.
7ften there !i"" $e a difference in !eiht as hih as 1 #ounds !hen a duck is in ood
condition and after it has thinned. In order to ha%e the ducks in to# for&' therefore' it is
necessary to $rin the& u# to f"esh at the #ro#er ti&e. In order to $rin ducks !hich are
to $e exhi$ited u# to standard !eiht' they shou"d $e fed t!ice dai"y' for at "east (+ days
$efore shi##in' a rain &ixture consistin of one #art corn and t!o #arts oats. Ci%e the&
a"" they !i"" eat of this &ixture. 8ith Runners and the s&a"" $reeds of ducks there is a
daner of their #uttin on too &uch !eiht if corn is used in the ration and it is therefore
$est to i%e the& oats a"one. 8hen the $irds are shi##ed to the sho! they are 9uite "ike"y
to et their #"u&ae soi"ed durin the ?ourney. 8hen this occurs fi"" a $arre" a$out ha"f
fu"" of !ater. Then as the ducks are taken out of the shi##in coo#s take three of the& at a
ti&e' #ut the& in the $arre" and co%er it o%er' "ea%in the& for a fe! &inutes. 8hen they
are taken out they !i"" usua""y $e c"ean.

Catchin and Hand"in Ducks
Ducks shou"d ne%er $e cauht $y the "es !hich are short and !eak and are %ery "ike"y to
$e in?ured. ;or the sa&e reason they shou"d ne%er $e carried $y the "es. Ducks shou"d $e
cauht $y the neck' ras#in the& ?ust $e"o! the head. They can $e carried short
distances !ithout in?ury in this !ay $ut it is not ad%isa$"e to carry fat ducks $y the neck
for any considera$"e distance. The $est !ay to hand"e the& is to catch the& $y the neck'
then carry the& on the ar& !ith the "es in the hand ?ust as one !ou"d carry a chicken.
See ;i. (2. A scoo# net a$out (, inches in dia&eter and !ith a six foot hand"e can a"so
$e used to exce""ent ad%antae in catchin ducks.

Packin and Shi##in Hatchin Es
Es for hatchin &ust $e shi##ed !hen they are fresh as duck es tend to deteriorate in
9ua"ity 9uite ra#id"y. They &ay $e shi##ed fair"y "on distances. Shi#&ent &ay $e &ade
either $y ex#ress or $y Parce" Post. In order to #re%ent $reakae and to "essen the effects
of the ?ar to !hich the es are su$?ected durin shi#&ent' they &ust $e carefu""y #acked.
7ne of the $est &ethods is to use an ordinary &arket $asket. Hine the $asket !e"" on the
$otto& and sides !ith exce"sior. 8ra# each e in #a#er and then !ra# in exce"sior so
that there !i"" $e a ood thick cushion of exce"sior $et!een the es and they !i"" not $e
a""o!ed to co&e in contact !ith one another. Pack the es in the $asket secure"y
standin the& on end so that they cannot &o%e or shift around. Co%er the to# of the es
!ith a thick "ayer of exce"sior usin enouh so that it runs u# !e"" a$o%e the sides of the
$asket. 7%er the to# se! a #iece of stron cotton c"oth. Instead of se!in the c"oth it can
$e #ushed u# under the outside ri& of the $asket !ith a case knife' this $ein 9uicker and
e9ua""y as effecti%e as se!in. _
_ PART I. DUCKS
CHAPTER III. Co&&ercia" Duck ;ar&in==Hocation
Co&&ercia" Duck ;ar&in==Hocation==Esti&ate of E9ui#&ent and Ca#ita" 4ecessary in
Startin the @usiness
Distri$ution. Co&&ercia" Duck far&in is confined %ery "are"y to the sections !ithin
easy shi##in distance of the "arer cities. A reat &a?ority of these far&s are "ocated
a$out 4e! 5ork City' #articu"ar"y on Hon Is"and. So&e duck far&s are "ocated on the
Pacific Coast and a fe! co&&ercia" #"ants are scattered a$out here and there throuhout
the country. The siAe of these far&s ranes a"" the !ay fro& #"ants !ith an out#ut of
2'+++ or (+'+++ duck"ins u# to those !ith an out#ut around (++'+++ year"y.
Stock Used. The stock used on the co&&ercia" duck #"ants of the United States consists
exc"usi%e"y of the Pekin. The reasons for the use of this #articu"ar $reed are the fact that it
has !hite #"u&ae and therefore dresses out !e""' that it is of ood siAe' that its e
#roduction is ood' and that it &akes 9uick ro!th.
Hocation of P"ant. 7n Hon Is"and the co&&ercia" duck #"ants are "ocated a"on the
strea&s' es#ecia""y those on the southern shore of the Is"and' !hich e&#ty into the
%arious $ays. Hocations a"on these strea&s are not easy to secure at the #resent ti&e
o!in to the fact that duck far&s are not a""o!ed in &any sections !here su&&er ho&es
ha%e $een $ui"t. A !ater site of this sort is %ery %a"ua$"e' a"thouh not a$so"ute"y
essentia"' since it #ro%ides !ater yards for the $reedin ducks and for the fattenin
duck"ins if desired' and reduces the "a$or and cost of e9ui#&ent &ateria""y since the
ducks a"!ays ha%e access to !ater and no additiona" #ro%ision need $e &ade to #ro%ide
the& !ith drinkin !ater. It a"so ena$"es the ducks to kee# their #"u&ae c"ean. Usua""y
these "ocations are on fresh !ater strea&s $ut so&e of the& are further out to!ard the
$ay !here the !ater is sa"ty or at "east $rackish.
The &ature ducks thri%e !e"" on the sa"t !ater and do not ha%e to $e furnished !ith fresh
drinkin !ater in addition. ;or the youn ducks' ho!e%er' !ith a sa"t !ater "ocation it is
necessary to #ro%ide fresh drinkin !ater. A fe! far&s in other sections of the country
are !hat are kno!n as dry "and far&s' that is to say' they are not situated on the $ank of a
strea&. In such "ocations runnin !ater is carried throuh the yards so that the ducks
ha%e an a&#"e su##"y of drinkin !ater and in so&e cases artificia" #onds are constructed
to #ro%ide !ater in !hich the $reedin ducks can s!i&. ;or&er"y the idea !as
uni%ersa""y he"d that s!i&&in !ater !as essentia" for the $reeders in order to secure
ood ferti"ity' and &any duck far&ers sti"" $e"ie%e that $etter resu"ts can $e secured in this
!ay. 7n so&e of the dry "and duck far&s' ho!e%er' $reedin ducks are successfu""y ke#t
!ithout such s!i&&in #"aces. The youn &arket duck"ins do not re9uire !ater to
s!i& in a"thouh so&e raisers #refer to ha%e it and it is co&&on"y a""o!ed !here readi"y
a%ai"a$"e. 7n the dry "and far&s #ro%ision is &ade si&#"y for a continuous su##"y of
fresh drinkin !ater for the fattenin duck"ins. Duck"ins ke#t out of the !ater' do not
take as &uch exercise and' in conse9uence' fatten a "itt"e &ore readi"y.

6akin a Start in Duck ;ar&in
Duck far&s or #"ants are so&eti&es o#erated on a considera$"e sca"e at the $einnin' the
#"ans $ein carefu""y "aid $y so&e ex#erienced duck &an. In these cases' o#erations at
the start &ay $e of sufficient &anitude so that the out#ut !i"" a&ount to (2'+++ or
*+'+++ duck"ins in a year. In &ost cases' ho!e%er' these #"aces ha%e $een the resu"t of a
&ore radua" ro!th fro& a s&a"" $einnin' a condition &ade necessary either $y the
inex#erience of the ro!er or $y "ack of ca#ita". 4ot infre9uent"y &en enaed in other
for&s of far&in $ut #ossessin a suita$"e "ocation !i"" kee# *++ or 1++ $reedin ducks
and fro& this radua""y $ui"d u# a ood siAed duck #"ant.
E9ui#&ent' Ca#ita"' etc. Re9uired. The esti&ates i%en as to the a&ount of e9ui#&ent
and ca#ita" re9uired are $ased on the assu&#tion that a #"ant is to $e o#erated of
sufficient siAe to ha%e a year"y out#ut of a$out 1+'+++ duck"ins. It &ust $e understood in
this connection that "ocation and %arious other conditions or circu&stances !i"" inf"uence
the cost of different ite&s of e9ui#&ent and for this reason these esti&ates &ust not $e
considered as a$so"ute $ut shou"d rather ser%e as a uide or $asis on !hich to fiure. The
fiures here i%en conte&#"ate the $ui"din u# of an esta$"ish&ent !hich is efficient $ut
!hich is in no #articu"ar e"a$orate' the $ui"dins and other e9ui#&ent $ein as si&#"e and
inex#ensi%e as #ossi$"e.
Hay=out or Arrane&ent of the P"ant. The #"ant &ust $e carefu""y #"anned so as to &ake
the $est #ossi$"e use of the "and and #articu"ar"y of the !ater frontae. It is #articu"ar"y
i&#ortant to arrane the $ui"dins in such a &anner as to cut do!n "a$or as &uch as
#ossi$"e. If there is any ex#ectation of en"arin the ca#acity at so&e future ti&e' this
&ust a"so $e $orne in &ind in the arrane&ent of the %arious $ui"dins and yards. The
incu$ator ce""ar shou"d $e con%enient to the 4o. ( $rooder house and the %arious $rooder
houses to one another. The $rooder house &ust "ike!ise $e con%enient to the ro!in and
fattenin houses and yards and these in turn to the ki""in house. The feed roo& shou"d $e
centra""y "ocated so as to sa%e "a$or as &uch as #ossi$"e in feedin the ducks.
Hand Re9uired. ;or a duck #"ant of the siAe indicated (+ acres of "and shou"d $e a&#"e.
This' ho!e%er' &eans that no effort !ou"d $e &ade to ro! any of the feed for the ducks
or duck"ins !ith the exce#tion of reen feed. In so&e cases !here the "ay of the "and is
unusua""y fa%ora$"e so that the #"ant can $e "aid out to the %ery $est ad%antae' a s&a""er
a&ount of round than this &iht $e sufficient $ut it is not !e"" to fiure on "ess than (+
acres.
4u&$er of @reeders Re9uired. 8ith the usua" &ethods of &anae&ent and !ith ood
success' one &ay esti&ate that /+ youn ducks can $e &arketed each year fro& each
$reedin fe&a"e. This is a ood a%erae a"thouh in so&e ood years duck raisers !i"" do
a "itt"e $etter than this. 7n the other hand in #oor years they !i"" not do so !e"". ;or a
#"ant ha%in an out#ut of 1+'+++ &arket ducks there !ou"d therefore $e needed in the
neih$orhood of ,++ $reedin ducks in addition to (++ drakes.
Housin Re9uired for @reeders. In fiurin on the a&ount of housin re9uired for this
nu&$er of $reedin ducks' it is necessary to fiure on *=(E* to 1 s9uare feet of f"oor s#ace
#er $ird' 1 s9uare feet $ein $etter than *=(E*. This !ou"d re9uire a housin s#ace *+ feet
dee# $y (*+ feet "on. Ho!e%er ducks are not usua""y housed in one $ui"din of this siAe'
and in fact it is $etter not to do so since the s&a""er the f"ock of $reeders ke#t toether the
$etter they !i"" do. In no case shou"d a duck raiser run &ore than /++ ducks in a f"ock
and it is %ery &uch $etter to run the& in #ens of (++ each. In fact' so&e $reeders do not
#"ace &ore than *2 to 2+ $reedin ducks in a #en.
Incu$ator Ca#acity. Incu$ators are used exc"usi%e"y for hatchin the es. At the #resent
ti&e in #ractica""y a"" cases so&e for& of hot !ater &a&&oth incu$ator is uti"iAed for
this #ur#ose. An in%est&ent is re9uired $oth in incu$ators and in a ce""ar in !hich to
o#erate the&. In fiurin on the incu$ator ca#acity necessary to take care of a #ro#osition
of this siAe' it is necessary to $ase the esti&ate on the nu&$er of es #roduced durin
the season of f"ush #roduction. The duck raiser fiures on incu$atin a"" es suita$"e for
the #ur#ose rather than to se"" any of the& for other #ur#oses as there is a reater #rofit in
rearin and &arketin the duck"ins. ;or that reason he &ust ha%e incu$ator ca#acity
enouh to take care of a"" the es "aid at any ti&e of the year. Durin the season of f"ush
#roduction the yie"d !i"" ordinari"y run in the neih$orhood of ,+3. The #eriod of
incu$ation is *, days $ut * days &ore shou"d $e added to this to a""o! for c"eanin out
the &achines' etc.' $efore startin another hatch. This &eans that there !ou"d $e 1+ days
$et!een hatches. ;iurin on ,++ ducks !ith an ,+3 #roduction for 1+ days an incu$ator
ca#acity of around ()'*++ es !ou"d $e re9uired.
@rooder Ca#acity. A $rooder house ca#acity' !here artificia" heat can $e su##"ied'
sufficient to take care of a$out ha"f of the tota" out#ut of the #"ant at one ti&e is
necessary. This &eans there !ou"d ha%e to $e on this #"ant a heated $rooder house
ca#acity for (2'+++ duck"ins. A$out ha"f of this nu&$er or -2++ !ou"d need
acco&&odations in the nu&$er ( or !ar&est $rooder house !here the heat can $e ke#t
u# to .2 or -+ derees in the house itse"f' and !ar&er of course under the ho%er. The
other -2++ duck"ins ca#acity !ou"d $e in the nu&$er * house' that is' a house !here
heat cou"d $e su##"ied in the ear"y s#rin and !here the te&#erature cou"d $e run u# to
.+ derees. Ho%ers in such a house are not rea""y needed $ut it is co&&on to co%er the
hot !ater#i#es !ith a #"atfor& in order to #ro%ide a run!ay on !hich one can run a
!hee" $arro! and thus si&#"ify feedin. 7rdinari"y after 6ay ( no heat is needed in the
nu&$er * $rooder house. The youn ducks are usua""y * to 1 !eeks o"d !hen they o into
the nu&$er * house and they stay there for a$out * !eeks de#endin on the !eather. Heat
for the $rooder houses is su##"ied $y &eans of hot !ater #i#es and a coa" $urnin sto%e
such as are used in $rooder houses for chickens. A nu&$er 1 or co"d $rooder house is a"so
needed !here duck"ins can $e housed and can $e dri%en in at niht and in co"d !eather
after they ha%e raduated fro& the nu&$er * house. ;ro& the nu&$er 1 house a #art of
the duck"ins are taken direct"y to the yards !here they are housed in o#en front sheds.
;attenin Houses or Sheds. In addition to the $rooder houses' there are re9uired fattenin
houses or sheds for the ducks !hen they are &o%ed fro& the 4o. 1 $rooder house to the
yards. Suita$"e houses for this #ur#ose are (. feet dee# $y */ feet "on. In front they are
2 feet hih and in the rear 1=(E* feet. They are set on #osts !ith a $ase $oard around to
&ake the& tiht. The fronts are entire"y o#en and #ro%ided !ith curtains !hich are used
on"y in the !inter to kee# out the sno!. The duck"ins are shut in these houses !hen
desired $y &eans of !ire #ane"s !hich c"ose the "o!er #art of the front. Houses such as
descri$ed are di%ided into t!o #arts and each side !i"" acco&&odate *++ duck"ins.
;eed Storae. Considera$"e feed storae roo& is necessary as it is %ery desira$"e to $e
a$"e to $uy feed in 9uantity and a"so to carry a considera$"e stock on hand in order to
offset the #ossi$i"ity of not $ein a$"e to secure feed at any ti&e. There shou"d $e storae
ca#acity for / cars of 1+ tons each' in other !ords' for (*+ tons of feed. Sti"" reater
ca#acity than this is desira$"e. In connection !ith the feed storae there shou"d $e a #"ace
!here the feed can $e &ixed and !here feed can $e cooked. T!o #o!er o#erated feed
&ixers are re9uired as one is not sufficient durin the $usy season to a""o! the &ixin
and feedin of the &ash for $oth the $reeders and the youn stock at the sa&e ti&e. A
feed cutter is necessary in #re#arin the reen feed !hich is &ixed in the &ash. The usua"
ty#e of kett"e feed cooker is co&&on"y used for $oi"in fish and #re#arin other cooked
feeds $ut in its #"ace a s&a"" four=horse stea& $oi"er can $e uti"iAed to ood ad%antae as
this &akes it #ossi$"e to cook the feed riht in the &ixer $y usin a stea& hose.
Ki""in and Pickin House. A ki""in and #ickin house !here the ducks can $e #re#ared
for &arket is another necessary $ui"din $ut this need not $e an ex#ensi%e $ui"din. It
&ust $e "ocated !ith reference to its con%enience to the rest of the #"ant. It is a"so
desira$"e to "ocate it o%er a s#rin if one is a%ai"a$"e for the s#rin !ater can $e used to
exce""ent ad%antae in coo"in the dressed duck"ins. 8hen a s#rin is not a%ai"a$"e
!ater &ust $e #i#ed to this $ui"din. The ki""in house is usua""y $ui"t !ith at "east one
side o#en or #art"y o#en. A #"ace is #ro%ided outside the #ickin roo& !here the ducks
can $e hun and $"ed. Inside roo& is re9uired for six or eiht #ickers. A kett"e for heatin
!ater to $e used in sca"din the ducks is necessary as are a"so tanks in !hich to #"ace the
ducks after they are #icked. Additiona" roo& is needed !here the ducks can $e !eihed
and #acked ready for shi#&ent.
Residence. In addition to the other $ui"dins enu&erated' a residence !ou"d of course $e
necessary. The siAe and e"a$orateness of this and conse9uent"y its cost de#ends entire"y
u#on the o!ner>s needs and !ishes.
Horse Po!er. 7ne horse and !aon for the #ur#ose of dra!in the feed a$out the #"ant
and for certain other necessary !ork !ou"d $e re9uired. If the o!ner desires to do his
o!n hau"in of the feed fro& the rai"road and the other necessary truckin he !ou"d' of
course' ha%e to kee# &ore horses' a tea& at "east' or an auto&o$i"e truck. 8here on"y one
horse is ke#t' this truckin &ust $e hired done.
;eedin Track. 7n &any of the "arer duck far&s' a feed track is e&#"oyed in feedin the
stock. Such a track consists of a fra&e!ork of sufficient strenth to su##ort a car fi""ed
!ith &ash !hich is #ushed a"on the track $y hand. The track "eads fro& the feed &ixer
across the %arious yards !here the ducks to $e fed are "ocated' inc"udin $oth the
$reedin ducks' yard ducks and $rooder ducks in yards. This in%o"%es a considera$"e
a&ount of trackae !hich &ust $e fair"y "e%e" and !hich runs o%er the yard fences or
a"on the ends of the yards so that the feed can $e sho%e"ed direct"y fro& the car into the
feedin trays in the yards. The use of a feed track si&#"ifies the feedin considera$"y $ut
its construction is 9uite ex#ensi%e. 8here a track is not used' the feed as &ixed is
du&#ed into a "o! !aon !hich is dri%en a"on the yards' or throuh the& $y re&o%in
&o%a$"e #ane"s in the fences and the feed sho%e"ed fro& the !aon to the feed trays.
E"ectric Hihts. 6ost duck far&s at the #resent ti&e are "ocated !here e"ectric "ihtin is
a%ai"a$"e. It is desira$"e and in fact a"&ost necessary to ha%e the %arious houses !ired so
that "ihts can $e turned on !hen desired. In addition' "ihts are usua""y #ro%ided in the
yards for fattenin ducks and are used at niht and es#ecia""y durin stor&s to kee# the
ducks fro& sta&#edin.
8ater Su##"y. An ade9uate !ater su##"y is essentia". This !i"" consist of a !e"" or s#rin
furnishin an a&#"e a&ount of !ater' a #o!er #u&# and a !ater su##"y tank. ;ro& the
tank' the !ater &ust $e #i#ed to the incu$ator ce""ar' the $rooder houses' the ki""in
house' the feed house and to any of the yards !here the ducks do not ha%e access to a
natura" su##"y of ood !ater. In addition' of course' the !ater fro& the sa&e tank is
usua""y used to su##"y the residence.
;ences. 4ot a reat dea" of in%est&ent is necessary in fences since the yards are rather
s&a"" and the fences are "o!. T!o=foot fences of t!o=inch &esh !ire are used for the
yard ducks !hi"e for the "itt"e ducks (,=inch !ire of one=inch &esh is used. The $iest
ite&s of ex#ense connected !ith the fences are the cost of the stakes or #osts used in their
construction and the "a$or used in this !ork. The #ortion of the yards extendin into the
!ater are the &ost trou$"eso&e and &ost ex#ensi%e to $ui"d. In so&e cases' rather
e"a$orate !ooden #icket fences are used in the !ater yards. These are &ore #er&anent
$ut are &ore ex#ensi%e to $ui"d.
Ha$or. ;or a #"ant of the siAe indicated there !ou"d $e re9uired in addition to an acti%e
!orkin #ro#rietor three other &en. 7ne &an !ou"d $e needed to o#erate the incu$ators'
one &an !ou"d de%ote his ti&e to the $rooder houses' one &an !ou"d feed the yard
ducks and the fattenin #ens' and one &an !ou"d do the ki""in and #ackin' take care of
the feathers' c"ean the yards' etc. 7f course' there !ou"d $e #eriods !hen these &en
!ou"d not ha%e their entire ti&e taken u# !ith their #articu"ar duties and this !ou"d
#er&it the& to turn in and he"# !ith the &isce""aneous !ork on the #"ant.
In addition to the reu"ar &en e&#"oyed' additiona" "a$or !ou"d $e necessary to do the
#ickin. ;or this #ur#ose #ickers are usua""y $rouht in and !ork $y the #iece. Durin the
s#rin of ()*+ these #ickers recei%ed six cents #er duck and they !i"" a%erae a$out -2
ducks a day' $einnin !ork at . in the &ornin and finishin $y noon or a "itt"e "ater.
So&e #ickers !i"" a%erae as hih as (++ ducks a day. In the $usy season fro& ,++ to
(*++ ducks !i"" $e &arketed #er !eek and the usua" #ractice is to ki"" and #ick not o%er
three days a !eek' usua""y durin the first #art of the !eek.
In%ested Ca#ita". In%est&ent in the $usiness exc"usi%e of !orkin ca#ita"' that is to say'
the &oney in the "and and $ui"dins and other e9ui#&ent !ou"d re9uire under #resent
conditions a$out 0('+++ for each thousand ducks &arketed. In other !ords' in a #"ant of
this siAe' c"ose to 01+'+++ !ou"d $e in%ested. The a&ount of in%ested ca#ita" de#ends to
so&e extent u#on "ocation and u#on the e"a$orateness of the $ui"dins and other
e9ui#&ent $ut !ith a !e"" "aid out econo&ica" #"ant an in%est&ent of the siAe indicated
shou"d $e sufficient.
8orkin Ca#ita". In addition to the ca#ita" in%ested in the #"ant there !ou"d $e re9uired a
considera$"e a&ount of !orkin ca#ita". ;ro& the first of 4o%e&$er to the $einnin of
the &arketin of the ducks there !ou"d $e re9uired fro& 0.'+++ to 0,'+++ !ith !hich to
#urchase feed' &eet the #ay ro""' and for other runnin ex#enses. E%en after the
&arketin $eins there !ou"d $e a #eriod of fro& a &onth to six !eeks !hen the
ex#enses !i"" continue to $e reater than the recei#ts so that so&e additiona" ca#ita"
&iht $e necessary. Ho!e%er' returns !ou"d $ein to co&e in !hich cou"d $e used to
take care of the &ore #ressin current o$"iations so that additiona" !orkin ca#ita"
!hich &iht $e needed o%er that indicated !ou"d not $e "are.
Profits. The #rofits in co&&ercia" duck raisin %ary !ide"y' as &ust $e ex#ected'
de#endin u#on the &anae&ent' u#on the season and u#on #rices recei%ed. After
deductin a"" o%erhead chares and interest on the in%est&ent' the net return #er duck
shou"d $e at "east (+ cents #er duck"in &arketed. In fact the return shou"d $e (2 cents to
#ro%ide &uch induce&ent to enae in the $usiness. So&e seasons the returns !i"" run
reater than this $ut on the other hand' there is a"!ays the chance of occasiona" $i
"osses. _
_ PART I. DUCKS
CHAPTER IB. Co&&ercia" Duck ;ar&in==6anae&ent of the @reedin Stock
Ae of @reeders. 7n &ost "are co&&ercia" duck #"ants the entire $reedin stock is
rene!ed each year. In other !ords' the $reeders are ke#t on"y throuh their first "ayin
season. This &akes it necessary to se"ect fro& the youn stock reared and sa%e for
$reeders as &any head as it is desired to carry for the co&in year. This #ractice is used
for the reason that ducks "ay $est durin their first year. Therefore' since it is desired to
kee# u# the &axi&u& e #roduction in order to raise as &any &arket ducks as #ossi$"e'
youn $reeders are considered $etter. So&e raisers' ho!e%er' kee# a #art of their $reedin
ducks for t!o years and occasiona""y for 1 or e%en / years $ut this is not the usua"
#ractice. Recent co&#arison &ade $et!een youn and t!o year o"d ducks as $reeders
!ou"d see& to indicate that duck"ins hatched fro& the es of the "atter "i%e a "itt"e
$etter.
Distinuishin 5oun fro& 7"d Ducks. In this connection it is of interest to kno! ho!
youn ducks can $e readi"y distinuished fro& the o"der $irds. The youn ducks ha%e
$riht ye""o! "es and $i""s !hi"e the o"d ducks after a #eriod of "ayin' "ose a
considera$"e a&ount of the ye""o! fro& these sections. In addition' soon after the ducks
$ein to "ay' their $i""s as a ru"e !i"" $ein to $e streaked !ith $"ack. 5oun ducks can
a"so $e to"d fro& the o"d ducks $y fee"in of the end of the $reast $one !hich runs to a
#oint at the a$do&en. In the o"der ducks this is hard !hi"e in the youn ducks it is rist"y
and $ends easi"y. The !ind#i#e of an o"d duck is hard and rather difficu"t to co&#ress or
dent !hi"e in the youn duck it is softer and easi"y dented.
Se"ection of @reedin Ducks. The $reeders are usua""y se"ected fro& the duck"ins !hich
reach &arket ae fro& the "ast !eek in Iune throuh Iu"y. As these "ots $eco&e ready for
&arket and are dri%en into the #ens to $e s"auhtered each duck is hand"ed and any
es#ecia""y ood $irds !hich the #ro#rietor thinks !i"" &ake ood $reeders are thro!n out
at this ti&e.
In &akin se"ection of $reeders those are chosen !hich are hea"thy and thrifty and !hich
ha%e ood !ide' "on and dee# $odies. Ducks !ith crooked !ins' crooked tai"s' hu&#
$acks or #add"e "es are re?ected for this #ur#ose. After the youn ducks for $reeders are
se"ected they are #ut in a yard or fattenin #en unti" the nu&$er !hich the o!ner ex#ects
to kee# is co&#"ete. These youn $reeders enera""y $ein to &ou"t soon after they are
se"ected and fro& this ti&e on they are fed !ho"e corn and #"enty of reen feed unti" it is
ti&e to $ein feedin the "ayin ration. So&e of the $reedin ducks !i"" usua""y $ein to
"ay a$out Dece&$er ( a"thouh they !i"" not "ay hea%i"y at that ti&e. The "ayin ration
descri$ed "ater shou"d $e $eun a$out that ti&e or a cou#"e of !eeks ear"ier.
4u&$er of ;e&a"es to a Drake. As a ru"e on co&&ercia" duck far&s the $irds are &ated
in the #ro#ortion of a$out one drake to se%en ducks. This #ro#ortion !i"" %ary to so&e
extent under different &ethods of &anae&ent and !eather conditions and &ay run a""
the !ay fro& ( to 2 to ( to ,. The s&a""er nu&$er of drakes shou"d $e used "ate in the
season !hi"e the "arer nu&$er !i"" i%e $etter ferti"ity ear"y in the $reedin season.
Since the drakes do not fiht serious"y' f"ock &atins can $e &ade. @etter resu"ts !i"" $e
o$tained fro& s&a""er f"ocks than fro& "are f"ocks and there !i"" a"so $e "ess cracked
es and "ess %ery dirty es fro& the s&a""er f"ocks. @efore the ducks are "et out in the
&ornin there is a tendency for the& to run $ack and forth throuh the #ens' and in this
!ay they tra&# o%er &any of the es !hich are "aid any!here a$out the f"oor. The
"arer the f"ock the &ore cracked and dirty es !i"" resu"t. 8hi"e the drakes do not fiht
each other they do at ti&es in?ure and ki"" the ducks to so&e extent !hen three or four
drakes &ay chase one duck. In this !ay they &ay in?ure the ducks> $acks and often #ick
their eyes and necks. 8hene%er a duck is found !hich is in?ured she shou"d $e re&o%ed
fro& the f"ock. Difficu"ty of this sort is &ost #re%a"ent a$out the (st of 6arch. If the
trou$"e ets %ery $ad it can $e sto##ed to so&e extent $y cuttin $ack the u##er $i""s of
the drakes a$out one=fourth of an inch !ith a tinsni# or $y reducin the #ro#ortion of
drakes.
Securin @reedin Drakes. It is co&&on #ractice on duck #"ants to a%oid in$reedin $y
securin drakes fro& so&e other f"ock each year. This is usua""y acco&#"ished $y $uyin
the drakes outriht fro& so&e neih$orin duck far&er. It &ay a"so $e acco&#"ished $y
#urchasin a fe! es for hatchin in order to secure ne! $"ood. In any #articu"ar
co&&unity there is a tendency for the duck far&ers to trade $reedin drakes a&on
the&se"%es for a #eriod of years !ith the resu"t that they a"" ha%e &uch the sa&e $"ood
and not a reat dea" of $enefit is o$tained fro& securin the drakes fro& so&e neih$or>s
f"ock. It is undou$ted"y ood #ractice to o farther afie"d occasiona""y for a su##"y of
$reedin drakes. In #urchasin stock for ne! $"ood $e sure that it is as ood as the ho&e
stock and $etter if it can $e found. It !i"" do no ood to #urchase and use inferior stock
and &ay do &uch har&.

Houses and 5ards for @reeders
The $reedin f"ocks are usua""y confined to $reedin yards. The siAe of these yards
de#ends u#on the siAe of the $reedin f"ock $ut "are yards are not re9uired. A yard for
*++ $reeders is not as a ru"e "arer than (++ $y *++ feet inc"udin the !ater #art of the
yard. Houses and yards shou"d $e "ocated on sand if #ossi$"e as this is easier to kee#
c"ean and therefore kee#s the $irds in $etter condition. 7ccasiona" f"ocks of $reedin
ducks are a""o!ed their "i$erty $ut this is not co&&on #ractice nor is it ood #ractice
un"ess the surroundins are c"ean and the ducks do not ha%e access to stanant &ud or
refuse in !hich they can !ork. If ducks !ork too &uch in this kind of &ateria" they !i""
eat &ore or "ess of it !hich in?ures the es for hatchin #ur#oses.
6any different sty"es of houses are used for $reeders' so&e of !hich are decided"y &ore
e"a$orate than is necessary. A %ery satisfactory econo&ica" house is one *+ feet dee#' -
feet hih in front and / feet at $ack' !ith a shed roof. This can $e constructed of tonue
and roo%e &ateria" or &ay $e &ade of un&atched stuff and co%ered !ith #a#er. A house
of this #ro#ortion &akes a ood "iht house and it can $e carried in "enth accordin to
the siAe of the f"ock. ;or a $reedin unit of *++ ducks' !hich is a ood unit to use' a
house *+ feet dee# and 1+ to /+ feet "on is suita$"e. 4o f"oor is used in the house $ut it
shou"d $e !e"" fi""ed u# !ith dirt so that the !ater !i"" not co&e in.
7ne or &ore ood siAed o#enins are "eft in the front of the $reedin house for
%enti"ation' or !indo!s &ay $e #"aced in the front !hich can $e used for this #ur#ose.
Cood %enti"ation is necessary. Additiona" %enti"ation is secured fro& the doors. If the
!eather is &i"d the doors are "eft #art"y o#en' if co"d they are near"y c"osed' !hi"e !hen
the !eather is hot they are "eft entire"y o#en. A ood sche&e is to use a sort of Dutch
door so that the $otto& or to# ha"f can $e o#ened inde#endent"y. In this !ay the to# #art
of the doors can $e "eft o#en so as to "et in the sun"iht and sti"" kee# the ducks in the
house or the to# &ay $e "eft c"osed and the $otto& o#ened so as to a""o! the ducks to o
in or out and sti"" cut do!n the a&ount of %enti"ation. 8hen the !eather is !ar& the
doors &ay $e "eft entire"y o#en exce#t for a $oard (, inches to * feet !ide inserted in the
$otto& of the door !hen it is desired to kee# the ducks in.
Shade is essentia" for the $reeders and if not #ro%ided natura""y $y trees &ust $e su##"ied
$y &eans of artificia" she"ters.
@eddin and C"eanin the @reedin Houses. Usua""y stra!' &eado! hay' or s!a"e hay is
used for $eddin. Sha%ins &ake ood &ateria" for this #ur#ose if they do not contain too
&uch sa!dust. The #rinci#a" o$?ection to sha%ins is that it takes "oner to $ed !ith
the&. 7ften a fe! ?oists are "aid at the $ack of the house on !hich to #i"e $a"es of stra!
or other $eddin so that it !i"" $e ke#t dry and !i"" ser%e as an e&erency su##"y
a%ai"a$"e for $eddin the house in stor&y days. The houses shou"d $e $edded fair"y often
in order to kee# the f"oors c"ean and dry and so as not to a""o! the ducks> feet to et co"d.
The fre9uency !ith !hich $eddin is necessary !i"" de#end u#on the !eather. In !inter it
&ay at ti&es $e necessary to $ed e%ery day. In 6ay it &ay $e necessary on"y t!ice a
!eek and sti"" "ater in the season on"y once a !eek. In !et !eather the ducks track in "ots
of &ud and !ater and fre9uent $eddin he"#s to kee# the es c"ean. The houses are
c"eaned out on"y once a year and this is usua""y done after the ducks ha%e sto##ed "ayin.
To c"ean out the houses !hi"e the ducks are "ayin !ou"d distur$ the& and tend to sto#
their e #roduction.
C"eanin the @reedin 5ards. The yards shou"d $e c"eaned !hene%er they need it' that is'
!hene%er they $ein to et s"o##y or sticky. It is a &atter of ?ud&ent to decide !hen
this is necessary. The character of the soi" inf"uences this' as sandy yards a$sor$ the
dro##ins $etter and do not need c"eanin as fre9uent"y as hea%ier soi"s. In the yards for
the $reedin ducks' or the !ater yards' this !i"" as a ru"e not $e o%er * or 1 ti&es a
season. In dry !eather c"eanin is acco&#"ished $y s!ee#in the yards !ith a $roo&. In
!et !eather the dro##ins s#read o%er the yard and are #acked do!n $y the ducks> feet
unti" they for& a "ayer of #utty="ike &ateria" !hich cannot $e s!e#t off $ut is scra#ed off
$y &eans of a hoe.
8ater 5ards for @reeders. ;or&er"y it !as the consensus of o#inion that $reeders needed
!ater in !hich they cou"d s!i& in order to kee# in ood $reedin condition and to i%e
the $est resu"ts in ferti"ity of the es. At #resent it is not considered necessary to ha%e
sufficient !ater to #er&it s!i&&in a"thouh &any $reeders #refer to do this and fee"
that they et $etter resu"ts fro& it. Ho!e%er' $reedin ducks ha%e $een and are $ein ke#t
successfu""y in dry yards !here !ater is su##"ied to the& si&#"y in an a&ount sufficient
to a""o! the& to drink and to c"ean the&se"%es. 8here !ater yards are #ro%ided this
shou"d not $e on stanant !ater $ut there shou"d $e so&e circu"ation of the !ater so as to
kee# it c"ean and fresh. 8here the "ay of the "and is such that it is not #ossi$"e to run a""
the yards do!n to a strea& for this #ur#ose it is so&eti&es #ossi$"e to di a cana" or ditch
fro& the strea& to the yards so as to a""o! the ducks access to the !ater. 8here the yards
can extend into the !ater it sa%es a reat dea" of "a$or or considera$"e ex#ense in
e9ui#&ent as it is not then necessary to #ro%ide the ducks !ith drinkin !ater $y &eans
of so&e artificia" arrane&ent such as a concrete utter or ditch extendin throuh the
yards or $y &eans of artificia" #onds.
If the !ater yards used freeAe o%er in !inter it is necessary to cut ho"es in the ice so that
the ducks can et !ater for drinkin #ur#oses. So&eti&es the ducks !i"" o into these
!ater ho"es and after ettin their #"u&ae !et !i"" co&e out and sit do!n in the yard
and freeAe fast to the round. Durin such !eather conditions it is necessary to &ake the
rounds of the yards fre9uent"y and to "oosen any ducks that ha%e froAen fast. If they are
"eft in that condition they are a#t to in?ure the&se"%es in tryin to #u"" free and if "eft too
"on !i"" die.
;eedin the @reeders. @reedin ducks are fed t!ice a day' in the &ornin and at niht. It
is usua" #ractice to feed the $reeders "ast in the &ornin and first at niht. The reason for
feedin the& "ast in the &ornin is that they are usua""y fed in the yards rather than the
house and they shou"d $e ke#t in unti" they are throuh "ayin !hich !i"" $e after
day"iht. A ood $reedin ration consists of the fo""o!in' the #ro#ortions $ein i%en $y
&easure in $ushe"s.

( $ushe" $ran.
( $ushe" "o!=rade f"our.
( $ushe" corn &ea".
( $ushe" reen feed.
(E* $ushe" either ra! or cooked %eeta$"es.
( $ushe" in (+ of $eef scra#.
(E* $ushe" in (+ of cooked fish.
This ration !i"" kee# the $reedin ducks in ood f"esh $ut there !i"" $e no difficu"ty in
their ettin too fat. It is a"so a ood "ayin ration and !i"" #ro&ote ood e #roduction.
The %eeta$"es used in this ration usua""y consist of suar $eets' co! $eets' #otatoes' etc.
Ho!e%er' if #otatoes are used the a&ount of f"our in the ration shou"d $e reduced a "itt"e
so as not to &ake the ration too hea%y. @eets' !hen used' are fed ra! cut u# and &ixed in
the feed. S&a"" #otatoes' $oi"ed and &ixed in the feed are &ore %a"ua$"e as they ha%e a
reater food %a"ue than $eets. So&e duck ro!ers feed fish entire"y' usin no $eef scra#.
This is done !here a #"entifu" su##"y of fish can $e secured $y oin out into the $ay
after the&. Ho!e%er' this is not %ery ood #ractice for a sufficient su##"y of fish &ay not
a"!ays $e a%ai"a$"e and the ducks are so fond of the fish that they !i"" not eat !e"" the
$eef scra# used as a su$stitute for the fish' unti" they ha%e $eco&e used to it. ;ish is
#re#ared for feedin $y $oi"in it thorouh"y in a feed cooker.
The a%ai"a$"e "and on the #"ant is used to ro! a su##"y of reen feed. Rye is used for this
#ur#ose ear"y in the s#rin as soon as it is hih enouh to &o!. It is &o!ed the first ti&e
!hen it is "ike a "a!n. At this stae it does not ha%e to $e cut u#. 7ats are used in the
sa&e !ay. Durin the su&&er fodder corn is used. This is the #oorest cro# for the
#ur#ose $ut is as a ru"e the on"y one a%ai"a$"e at that ti&e. Ra#e is so!ed in Auust and
its use $eun a$out the ti&e of the first frost and ke#t u# unti" the hard freeAes co&e or
unti" it is $uried under the sno!. Creek rass !hich is secured fro& the fresh !ater
strea&s on Hon Is"and $y oin out in a f"at $otto& $oat and rakin it off the creek
$otto& !ith a !ooden rake' is %ery &uch re"ished $y the ducks and is used !hene%er it is
a%ai"a$"e. Ho!e%er' the su##"y of this &ateria" is not as #"entifu" as it !as for&er"y and it
is rather hard to et. 8hen it is a%ai"a$"e it can $e used either in !inter or su&&er.
Cood fie"d c"o%er cut u# and $oi"ed !ith the #otatoes or !ith the fish &akes a ood reen
feed. A"" of these reen &ateria"s for use in the ration' un"ess they are a"ready in short
"enths' are cut u# $y &eans of a #o!er feed cutter $efore they are &ixed in the &ash.
8hen no other for& of reen feed is a%ai"a$"e round a"fa"fa is used $ut on"y ha"f as
&uch of this &ateria" is &ixed !ith the ration as is used of any of the other kinds of reen
feed. 8here%er #ossi$"e the %arious duck yards shou"d $e used to ro! a cro# of reen
stuff such as oats or rye as this not on"y he"#s out on the su##"y of reen feed $ut a"so
he"#s to s!eeten the soi". The ro!in of a cro# on the hea%ier ty#es of soi" used for
ducks is es#ecia""y i&#ortant as such soi"s are &ore "ike"y to $eco&e conta&inated fro&
the dro##ins.
The ration for the ducks is &ixed u# in a #o!er feed &ixer !hich !orks &uch on the
#rinci#"e of a #o!er douh &ixer. In fact' douh &ixers are used on so&e #"ants. In
&ixin the feed enouh !ater shou"d $e added to $rin the &ateria" to a consistency
!here it !i"" ho"d toether !hen s9ueeAed in the hand. In fact' the consistency shou"d $e
$et!een cru&$"y and sticky' $ut shou"d ne%er $e s"o##y. The feed is du&#ed fro& the
&ixer into a "o! horse dra!n !aon and dri%en around to the %arious yards !here it is
sho%e"ed off on to the feed trouhs or trays. 7n so&e "are duck #"ants a track is #ro%ided
!hich runs o%er the yards and o%er this a car "oaded !ith feed is #ushed and the feed
sho%e"ed into the feed trays.
The $reeders shou"d $e fed in the sa&e #"ace. If feedin is $eun in the house this
#ractice shou"d $e continued. If feedin is $eun in the yards it shou"d $e continued there.
To chane distur$s the ducks and interferes !ith their e #roduction.
Coarse round oyster she"" a$out as "are as corn shou"d $e ke#t $efore the $reeders a""
the ti&e in $oxes !here they can he"# the&se"%es. A f"ock of -++ or ,++ $reeders !i"" eat
u#!ards of *++ #ounds a !eek of this &ateria". Un"ess sand is a%ai"a$"e in the yards
!here they can et it' ducks shou"d a"so ha%e access to a su##"y of ood shar# creek sand
$ut !hen ke#t in sand yards no other for& of rit need $e furnished.
The usua" &ethod of feedin is to uti"iAe f"at trouhs on !hich the feed is sho%e"ed. 7n"y
as &uch feed shou"d $e i%en at the reu"ar feedin ti&e as the ducks !i"" eat u# c"ean.
This &akes it necessary to !atch the feedin carefu""y and to reu"ate the a&ount
accordin"y. It is ood #ractice to ather u# any feed that is "eft $y the ducks so that it
!i"" not "ie there to sour and s#oi" as such feed is $ad for the $irds.

E Production
The a%erae e #roduction of Pekin ducks ke#t under co&&ercia" far& conditions !i""
run fro& ,+ to (*2 es #er head for the season. This !i"" %ary so&e!hat fro& year to
year and a"so !ith the &anae&ent and feed i%en the ducks. The "ayin $eins to a
s&a"" extent a$out Dece&$er ( and radua""y increases unti" the ducks are "ayin free"y
in ;e$ruary. As the hot !eather of su&&er $eins to co&e on the "ayin dro#s off unti"
a$out Iu"y ( and after this not enouh es are #roduced as a ru"e to #ay to ho"d the
$reedin ducks "oner. 7ften &any ducks !i"" sto# "ayin considera$"y $efore this'
es#ecia""y those !hich ha%e started "ayin ear"y and it &ay not #ay to kee# such #ens
"ater than 6ay. Hayin takes #"ace ear"y in the &ornin and #ractica""y a"" the es are
"aid soon after day"iht. It is for this reason that the ducks are usua""y shut u# at niht so
that a"" the es "aid !i"" $e secured as so&e of the& !ou"d other!ise $e "ost $y their
$ein "aid around in the yard or in the !ater. In the s#rin the ducks can $e "et out a$out .
a. &.' as the "ayin !i"" $e #retty !e"" o%er $y that ti&e' $ut in !inter they &ust $e ke#t
shut u# "ater in order to secure a"" the es. After the ducks start "ayin in the s#rin they
are %ery reu"ar and continuous "ayers and !i"" &iss fe!er days than &ost hens.
After the $reedin ducks are first #ut in the $reedin #ens and shut in the houses at niht
it is co&&on #ractice to use e"ectric "ihts for the first * or 1 !eeks in order to kee# the&
fro& sta&#edin as ducks in strane surroundins are 9uite ner%ous and are 9uite "ike"y
to sta&#ede and to run o%er one another thus causin cri##"es. E"ectric "ihts ha%e a"so
$een used to so&e extent durin the "ate fa"" and !inter for the #ur#ose of inducin e
#roduction ear"ier than the natura" season. As a ru"e the ducks can $e started to "ayin
a$out / !eeks after turnin on the "ihts $ut the a%erae #roduction under this syste& is
not "ike"y to run &ore than .+ es for the season as so hand"ed they &ou"t 9uite ear"y in
the s#rin. A sin"e *2 !att "iht is sufficient for a house or #en (. x */ feet and the
"ihts are "eft turned on a"" niht.
The o$?ect in feedin and carin for the $reedin ducks is to kee# the& fro& &ou"tin
and to kee# the& "ayin as "on as #ossi$"e. It &ust $e re&e&$ered that any radica"
chane in feed or &anner of feedin' shuttin the& u# too c"ose"y' chane of te&#erature'
or other distur$in conditions are "ike"y to cause &ou"tin and to check e #roduction.
Any chane in feed &ust $e &ade carefu""y and radua""y' not sudden"y. It &ust a"so $e
re&e&$ered that ducks are excita$"e $irds and &ust $e hand"ed and dri%en carefu""y so as
to distur$ the& as "itt"e as #ossi$"e.

Ti&e of 6arketin @reeders
The $reeders shou"d $e turned off to &arket !hene%er their e #roduction dro#s off so
decided"y that it no "oner #ays to ho"d the&. In &ost cases this !i"" $e a$out the (st of
Iu"y $ut it &ay rane considera$"y ear"ier than this' es#ecia""y !ith #ens of ducks that
ha%e started "ayin ear"y. 8hen the ducks finish "ayin their es they $ein to &ou"t and
it is at this ti&e that they shou"d $e &arketed. If &arketin is de"ayed' the ducks !i"" "ose
condition as the &ou"tin #roresses and !i"" therefore $e he"d at a "oss.

Diseases and Pests
Disease. 7"d ducks' that is' &ature ducks' are #ractica""y free fro& disease. 7f course'
there !i"" $e a certain a&ount of "oss in the $reedin stock fro& %arious causes $ut this
shou"d not run for the entire season &ore than (+3 of the f"ock. Ducks do not $eco&e
e $ound' $ut so&eti&es' es#ecia""y durin hea%y "ayin' they $eco&e ru#tured.
Insect Pests. Ducks are re&arka$"y free fro& "ice and other insect #ests and those !hich
they do ha%e do not trou$"e the& &uch. It is unnecessary therefore to take any
#recautions in the !ay of treatin the ducks to kee# the& free of insects.
Dos. 7ccasiona""y trou$"e &ay $e ex#erienced fro& dos. If these ani&a"s et into the
yards !ith the $reeders or the fattenin ducks' they &ay ki"" a ood &any and in addition
!i"" serious"y in?ure the rest $y chasin the& and $y the friht !hich the ducks are i%en.
_ PART I. DUCKS
CHAPTER B. Co&&ercia" Duck ;ar&in==Incu$ation
The Pekin duck is essentia""y a non=$roody $reed. It' therefore' $eco&es necessary to
resort to incu$ators for the #ur#ose of hatchin the es. 7ccasiona" ducks !i"" sit if
a""o!ed to do so $ut it is not the #ractice on co&&ercia" duck far&s to a""o! the& to sit
and hatch their youn. 4o s#ecia" &eans are taken to $reak the& of $roodiness other than
not to a""o! the& es to sit on.
Kinds of Incu$ators Used. @oth the s&a""er kerosene "a&# heated incu$ators and the
"are or &a&&oth hot !ater heated incu$ators are used for hatchin duck es. At the
#resent ti&e the &a&&oth hot !ater &achines are those !hich are in #rinci#a" use due
"are"y to the "essened "a$or re9uired to o#erate the&.
Incu$ator Ce""ar. It is necessary to #ro%ide so&e roo& in !hich the incu$ators can $e
insta""ed and o#erated. This &ay take the for& of a ce""ar' or the incu$ators &ay $e
o#erated in roo&s a$o%e the round. 6any of the incu$ator ce""ars on duck far&s are
on"y #artia""y under round and not a fe! of the& are $ui"t entire"y out of round. The
#articu"ar siAe and sha#e of the ce""ar or incu$ator roo& !i""' of course' de#end u#on the
nu&$er of incu$ators to $e insta""ed and u#on their &ake and sha#e. Usua""y these
$ui"dins are constructed !ith rather thick !a""s so that the te&#erature of the roo& !i""
f"uctuate "ess !ith chanes in outside te&#erature. Pro%ision is a"so necessary $y &eans
of !indo!s or other %enti"atin de%ices to #ro%ide for ood %enti"ation in the roo&. The
ce""ars are usua""y constructed !ith ce&ent f"oors as &oisture is used free"y and !ooden
f"oors !ou"d rot out 9uick"y.
Incu$ator Ca#acity Re9uired. The ai& on co&&ercia" duck far&s is to hatch a"" of the
es #roduced !hich are suita$"e for the #ur#ose. Practica""y no es are so"d exce#t the
cracked es or those !hich !ou"d not i%e ood resu"ts in the incu$ator such as too
"are or too s&a"" es. 7ccasiona""y' of course' there !i"" $e sa"es of duck es in
co&#arati%e"y "are "ots for incu$ation #ur#oses !here so&eone is startin a duck far&.
7ccasiona""y a"so duck far&ers $uy fro& each other a fe! es for incu$ation in order to
secure ne! $"ood. 7n the !ho"e' ho!e%er' #ractica""y a"" of the es "aid are incu$ated
and it is necessary to ha%e an incu$ator ca#acity sufficient to take care of the es as they
are #roduced durin the f"ush season.
Since the e #roduction at this ti&e !i"" run around a$out ,+3 and since the #eriod of
incu$ation is *, days and a cou#"e &ore days &ust $e a""o!ed to take the duck"ins out
of the &achines and to c"ean u# the &achines' it is necessary to fiure on 1+ days
$et!een hatches. To take care of the f"ush #roduction at this ti&e there !ou"d $e re9uired
an incu$ator ca#acity of fro& *+ to *2 es #er head of $reedin ducks. The "atter fiure
is a safer esti&ate than the for&er. 7f course' es sufficient to fi"" the entire incu$ator
ca#acity are not #ut in the &achines at any one ti&e $ut different "ots are #ut in as soon as
a sufficient nu&$er is o$tained to &ake it !orth !hi"e. There !i"" $e' therefore' es in
%arious staes of incu$ation in different sections of the &achines at the sa&e ti&e. 8hi"e
Pekin duck es !i"" run a$out (E* hea%ier in !eiht than hens> es they do not take u#
a #ro#ortionate"y reater a&ount of s#ace in the incu$ator. An incu$ator tray !i""
acco&&odate a$out 2E. as &any Pekin duck es as it !i"" hens> es.
Ae of Hatchin Es. Duck es shou"d $e set as often as enouh are secured to fi"" one
or &ore trays in the incu$ator or enouh to #roduce a sufficient nu&$er of duck"ins to
uti"iAe $roodin s#ace to ad%antae. Since duck es deteriorate &ore ra#id"y than hens>
es they cannot $e ke#t so "on $efore they are set. It is $est not to sa%e the& for "oner
than one !eek. Durin the season of f"ush #roduction it is not' of course' necessary to
sa%e the& that "on since enouh es !i"" $e secured to set each day if desired. The
usua" #ractice at this ti&e is to set t!ice a !eek. Durin the ear"y #art of the season !hen
the #roduction of es is "o! and the te&#erature coo" the es are often sa%ed for as
"on a #eriod as t!o !eeks !ithout noticea$"y $ad resu"ts.
Care of Hatchin Es. Es for hatchin shou"d $e ke#t in a coo" #"ace. Any #"ace
suita$"e for kee#in hens> es for hatchin is a suita$"e #"ace for duck es. The
te&#erature shou"d $e fro& 2+ de. to -+ de. ;ahrenheit. 8here the es are not ke#t
"oner than one !eek' it is not necessary to turn the&' es#ecia""y if they are ke#t on end.
If ke#t "oner than this it is safer to turn the& once a day or once in t!o days' hand"in
the& carefu""y so as not to crack any or to in?ure their hatchin 9ua"ities.
Se"ectin the Es for Hatchin. 6ediu& siAed es are #referred for this #ur#ose.
Therefore' the extre&e"y "are es and the %ery s&a"" ones are thro!n out. Rouh
she""ed es or es !ith crooked or defor&ed she""s are "ike!ise thro!n out since they
are not "ike"y to hatch !e"". Es that are $ad"y soi"ed so that they cannot $e tested easi"y
are !ashed $ut the c"ean es are not. A"" the es intended for incu$ation #ur#oses are
sounded $y strikin the& ent"y aainst one another in order to detect and re&o%e the
cracked es. 4o se"ection is &ade on the $asis of co"or. The es &ay $e !hite' crea&y
!hite or a $"ue' or $"uish reen in co"or. At the #resent ti&e a considera$"y "ess
#ro#ortion of the es sho! a $"ue tint than for&er"y. As the e "ayin season ad%ances
the es "aid $y the ducks tend to et a "itt"e "arer.
Te&#erature. U# to the ti&e of testin' that is' a$out the fifth day' the incu$ator is run at a
te&#erature of fro& (+( to (+* derees. After the fifth day the te&#erature is ke#t as near
(+1 as #ossi$"e. The &ost sensiti%e #eriod for a duck e is durin the first 1 or / days of
incu$ation. If they are a""o!ed to et too !ar& durin this ti&e the er& &ay $e ki""ed
!hi"e if the te&#erature is too "o!' de%e"o#&ent !i"" $e retarded.
Position of the Ther&o&eter. In fiurin on the #ro#er te&#erature at !hich to run the
incu$ator' the ther&o&eter shou"d $e so #"aced that the $u"$ is on a "e%e" !ith the to# of
the es' #refera$"y touchin a ferti"e e. If the ther&o&eter $u"$ rests on an inferti"e
e the te&#erature recorded !i"" $e "o!er than the actua" te&#erature of ferti"e es in
the "ater staes of incu$ation' due to the ani&a" heat of the de%e"o#in e&$ryos' !ith the
resu"t that the &achine !ou"d $e o#erated at too hih a te&#erature.
Testin. It is co&&on #ractice to &ake on"y one co&#"ete test. This is done on the
e%enin of the fifth day. Testin &ay $e done $y &eans of an ordinary cand"in de%ice
such as is used !ith hens> es' each e $ein exa&ined se#arate"y. To sa%e ti&e a #iece
of a##aratus &ay $e used !hich is si&#"e in construction and !hich si&#"ifies the
#rocess of cand"in considera$"y. This &ay $e ter&ed a testin ta$"e. It consists of a ta$"e
the sa&e !idth as an incu$ator tray and "oner than the tray. In the ta$"e there is an
o#enin the siAe of a ro! of es and $eneath this are #"aced se%era" e"ectric "iht $u"$s
!ith ref"ectors $ack of the& so as to thro! the "iht u# throuh the es. @y s"idin the
tray a"on the ta$"e each ro! of es is $rouht o%er the "ihts and their condition can $e
9uick"y noted. At this test a"" the inferti"e es are taken out as !e"" as any es in !hich
the er&s ha%e died. The inferti"e es after a carefu" retest are then #acked in cases and
sent to &arket !here they are usua""y so"d to $akers as tested es. 8hi"e no second test
is &ade of the es "eft in the &achines the ex#erienced incu$ator o#erator is constant"y
on the !atch for and is constant"y re&o%in any es !hich die at a "ater ti&e. To the
ex#erienced eye the co"or of the e indicates that it has died as it takes on a sort of
#inkish or darkish tint. Duck es after they die !i"" s#oi" %ery 9uick"y and &ust $e
re&o%ed #ro&#t"y as the odor !hich they thro! off is %ery stron and !i"" #ro%e har&fu"
to the other es. The inex#erienced o#erator can readi"y "ocate dead es $y s&e""in
o%er the tray.
Turnin the Es. The es are neither turned' coo"ed nor other!ise distur$ed after they
are #ut in the incu$ator unti" after they are tested on the fifth day. ;ro& this ti&e on they
are turned t!ice a day' &ornin and niht' unti" they $ein to #i#.
Coo"in the Es. There is a considera$"e difference in the #ractice of incu$ator o#erators
!ith reard to coo"in. 4o coo"in shou"d $e done unti" after the first test. After this so&e
incu$ator &en coo" the es $y dro##in the doors of the &achine. 7thers take the trays
of es out and #ut the& on to# of the &achine. Coo"in is usua""y done once a day. The
a&ount of coo"in !hich the es re9uire see&s to %ary reat"y and here aain the
?ud&ent of the o#erator co&es into #"ay. A$out the $est enera" ru"e !hich can $e i%en
is that the es shou"d $e coo"ed unti" they do not fee" !ar& to the face $ut they shou"d
ne%er $e coo"ed to the extent that they fee" co"d to the face or hands. The "enth of ti&e to
$rin this a$out %aries !ith the ae of the es and the te&#erature of the roo&.
6oisture. A ood dea" of &oisture is used in incu$atin duck es. It is usua" to $ein to
s#ray the es !ith !ater the next day after testin. Ho!e%er' this &ay %ary any!here
fro& the sixth to the tenth day. They are s#rayed 9uite thorouh"y' so&e &en usin !ater
enouh so that it runs out of the $otto& of the &achine. 4o #articu"ar care is taken to see
that the !ater used is !ar&. 7rdinary !ater ?ust as it co&es fro& the #i#es is co&&on"y
used and is a##"ied $y &eans of a s#ray noAA"e attached to a hose. Ho!e%er' extre&e"y
co"d !ater shou"d not $e used for this #ur#ose. This s#rayin is done once or t!ice a day
as the o#erator &ay think necessary unti" the es $ein to hatch. In &any cases e%en
then if the duck"ins see& to $e dryin too fast after they co&e out of the she""' or to $e
ha%in difficu"ty to et out it is !e"" to o#en the &achines and !et the es do!n
thorouh"y.
;erti"ity. The ferti"ity %aries !ith the season that is' !ith the !eather. At the $einnin of
the "ayin season !hen the !eather is co"d the ferti"ity usua""y runs rather "o!. This is
"ike!ise true at the end of the "ayin season !hen the heat of su&&er sets in. Durin the
inter%a" $et!een these t!o ti&es of "o! ferti"ity there !i"" usua""y $e one or &ore #eriods
durin !hich the ferti"ity !i"" o do!n and then co&e $ack aain. This see&s to occur
e%en thouh the !eather re&ains a$out the sa&e and thouh there is no chane in the
&ethod of feedin. ;erti"ity &ay $e considered to $e ood !hen it runs a$out ,23. 8hen
the ferti"ity is runnin #oor the hatchin of the es "eft in the &achines after testin !i""
usua""y $e #oor a"so.
Hatchin. It takes "oner as a ru"e fro& the ti&e that the duck"ins #i# the es unti" they
hatch than it does !ith chicks. To retain the &oisture !hich is so necessary durin
hatchin' the &achines are usua""y shut tiht"y and are not o#ened unti" the hatchin is
#retty !e"" co&#"eted un"ess it $eco&es necessary to add &ore &oisture as indicated
a$o%e. The "itt"e duck"ins shou"d $e "eft in the incu$ator unti" the hatchin is o%er and
they are thorouh"y dried off. As soon as the hatchin is co&#"eted' the %enti"ators in the
&achines are o#ened to hasten the dryin #rocess. If the duck"ins o#en their $i""s and
#ant it is an indication that they are not ettin enouh %enti"ation and this shou"d $e
su##"ied $y fastenin the &achine door o#en a "itt"e !ay. If the ducks are not ready to $e
taken out of the &achines $y noon or soon after' it is $est to "ea%e the& unti" the next
&ornin $efore re&o%in the& to the $rooder house. In the &eanti&e' ho!e%er' the o"d
es and she""s and other refuse shou"d $e taken out. Usua""y the hatch is co&#"eted in
ti&e so that the duck"ins can $e re&o%ed to the $rooder house on the afternoon of the
*,th day. As a ru"e the ear"ier the hatch is co&#"eted the $etter are the duck"ins.
;iures secured on resu"ts in hatchin for the entire season on Hon Is"and duck far&s
indicate that as a !ho"e the duck raisers !i"" not a%erae &uch o%er /+3 hatch of a"" es
set. So&e hatches &ay run as hih as .+3 or e%en &ore and in so&e seasons the a%erae
#ercentae !i"" run hiher than /+. So&e es#ecia""y ski""ed o#erators &ay a"so secure
considera$"y $etter a%erae resu"ts than this. It is 9uite a co&&on #ractice on the #art of
duck far&ers to #ay their incu$ator &an a $onus on a"" duck"ins o%er /+3 hatched
durin the season. This $onus &ay rane any!here fro& 0( to 02 #er thousand duck"ins.
Such an arrane&ent ser%es to i%e the incu$ator &an a reater incenti%e to i%e the
&achines ood attention and to secure ?ust the $est resu"ts of !hich he is ca#a$"e.
Se""in @a$y Ducks. 8ithin the "ast t!o or three years there has s#run into existence a
s&a"" $ut increasin trade in $a$y ducks. They are hand"ed and shi##ed a$out the sa&e as
$a$y chicks. @a$y ducks are ready for shi#&ent as soon as they are thorouh"y dry'
usua""y a$out (* hours after the hatch starts to co&e off. They are neither fed nor !atered
$efore shi#&ent and are #acked in card$oard $oxes used in shi##in $a$y chicks. As a
ru"e the shi##in $oxes !i"" acco&&odate a$out ha"f the nu&$er of duck"ins that they
!i"" chicks. 7f course the outside te&#erature %ery "are"y o%erns the &atter of the
nu&$er to a co&#art&ent. In !ar& su&&er !eather' a t!o co&#art&ent $ox intended
for 2+ chicks !i"" acco&&odate *. duck"ins if !e"" %enti"ated at the sides and to#. They
are shi##ed $y #arce" #ost and can $e sent any!here !ithin a radius of one thousand
&i"es if the tri# does not re9uire &ore than 1. hours. ;or $est resu"ts the duck"ins shou"d
not $e a""o!ed to o &uch $eyond this "enth of ti&e $efore they are fed. 7n recei#t they
shou"d $e #"aced i&&ediate"y in a $rooder a"ready #re#ared for the&. _
_ PART I. DUCKS
CHAPTER BI. Co&&ercia" Duck ;ar&in==@roodin and Rearin the 5oun Stock
5oun ducks are easier to $rood than chicks. They see& to "earn &ore 9uick"y !here the
source of heat is and they are "ess "ike"y to cause trou$"e fro& cro!din. They are a"so
"ess su$?ect to disease.
Re&o%in the 4e!"y Hatched Duck"ins to the @rooder House. The duck"ins shou"d $e
"eft in the incu$ator unti" they are thorouh"y dried off. Usua""y they !i"" $e dried so that
they can $e &o%ed on the afternoon of the *,th day of incu$ation. If' ho!e%er' they are
not ready ear"y in the afternoon it is $est to "ea%e the& in the &achine unti" the next
&ornin. In &o%in the duck"ins' #"ace the& in $oxes' $askets or other suita$"e carriers
and co%er the& !ith $ur"a# or c"oth to a%oid any daner of the duck"ins $eco&in
chi""ed.
@rooder Houses Re#aired. There are &any different ty#es and sty"es of $rooder houses
!hich are used !ith success. ;or this reason on"y one ty#e of each c"ass of $rooder house
needed is descri$ed in detai". These #articu"ar houses ha%e $een in successfu" use for a
considera$"e #eriod of ti&e and are i%en $ecause they e&$ody a"" the necessary
re9uisites for such houses and at the sa&e ti&e uti"iAe the s#ace to ood ad%antae and
are econo&ica" in construction.
In enera" there are re9uired three different $rooder houses. The first of these re9uires
sufficient heatin ca#acity so that the te&#erature of the house itse"f can $e &aintained at
.2 to -+ derees e%en in the co"d !eather of !inter or ear"y s#rin. In addition' ho%ers
are re9uired in this house under !hich a te&#erature can $e &aintained fro& ,+ to )+
derees. ;or con%enience this house !i"" $e s#oken of as $rooder house 4o. (. A second
$rooder house !hich can $e ca""ed $rooder house 4o. * !i"" $e re9uired !hich is
e9ui##ed !ith heatin a##aratus so that the te&#erature can $e run u# to .+ derees !hen
re9uired. The third $rooder house kno!n as $rooder house 4o. 1 is a co"d $rooder house
or one !ithout artificia" heat. It furnishes she"ter for the youn ducks !here they can $e
dri%en in at niht and durin the day in co"d !eather. As the duck"ins #ass out of the
$rooder house 4o. 1 they are housed in sheds or she"ters !ith yards !hich usua""y extend
into the !ater $ut !hich &ay not do so in a"" cases.

@rooder House 4o. (
The "enth of this house deter&ines its ca#acity' the re9uired a&ount of !hich !i""
de#end u#on the out#ut of any #articu"ar #"ant. There shou"d $e $rooder ca#acity in this
house sufficient to care for a##roxi&ate"y (E/ of the tota" out#ut for the year at one ti&e.
Construction of House. A suita$"e house !hich has $een in #ractica" use for so&e ti&e
consists of one *+ feet !ide and runnin east and !est !ith !indo!s in the south or front
side. If the "ocation !ere riht such a house cou"d $e run north and south to ood
ad%antae and shou"d then ha%e !indo!s on each side so as to "et in the sun"iht fro&
$oth directions. The front !a"" of this house is - feet hih' the $ack !a"" / feet. The ride
of the house is a$out * feet in front of the center' the front s"o#e of the roof ha%in an
eiht inch #itch !hi"e the $ack s"o#e has a . inch #itch. The roof rafters are * x />s #"aced
e%ery t!o feet. The studs and #"ates are "ike!ise * x /. The !a""s are &ade of &atched
&ateria". The roof is constructed of ( x * inch stri#s #"aced e%ery / inches and these
co%ered !ith shin"es. Tie $ea&s e%ery , feet extend fro& front to rear #"ates. This
#articu"ar $rooder house is not cei"ed $ut a ood tiht cei"in , feet a$o%e the !a"k or
run!ay !ou"d &ake it easier to kee# the house c"ean and !ou"d a"so render it so&e!hat
easier in co"d !eather to &aintain the te&#erature desired. The house is $ui"t on a
concrete !a"" or foundation and a dirt f"oor is used $ut the dirt &ust $e fi""ed in !e""
a$o%e the "e%e" of the round outside so that there is no daner of !ater co&in into the
house or the f"oors $eco&in da&# or s"o##y. 8indo!s are #"aced in the front !a""' one
to each #en. In e%ery other #en there is a s&a"" door in the $ack of the house to faci"itate
c"eanin out the #ens. A !indo! can $e su$stituted for this door to ood ad%antae as it
&akes the house "ihter.
Heatin A##aratus. Heat is furnished $y &eans of a coa" $urnin sto%e !hich heats !ater
and causes it to circu"ate throuh #i#es run the "enth of the house. The heater &ust
a"!ays $e #"aced in the !ind!ard end of the $ui"din as other!ise it is hard to et the
heat do!n to the other end as the !ind tends to dri%e it $ack. The hot !ater #i#es are
carried do!n the center of the house and the return #i#es are "ocated in the sa&e #"ace. A
"o! #artition is run "enth!ise of the house di%idin the #i#es and thus for&in dou$"e
#ens' ha"f extendin fro& the center to the front and ha"f fro& the center to the rear of the
house. The #i#es and the #artition $et!een the& is co%ered o%er !ith $oards &akin a /
foot !a"k or run!ay direct"y o%er the #i#es' !hich co&es into &ost con%enient use as a
#"ace to con%ey' $y &eans of a !hee"$arro!' feed or other &ateria" needed in the house'
and as a con%enient #"ace fro& !hich to care for the duck"ins in the #ens on each side.
This $oard co%erin o%er the #i#es a"so ser%es to ho"d the heat and thus for&s ho%ers.
It is ad%isa$"e to #artition off the first third of the house' that is' the #ortion in !hich the
heater is "ocated' !ith a so"id #artition. Then $y ha%in suita$"e %a"%es in the #i#es' the
heat can $e cut off fro& the rest of the house and on"y the s&a""er #artitioned off end used
as a se#arate and inde#endent section of the $rooder. This is es#ecia""y usefu" !hen on"y
a s&a"" nu&$er of duck"ins are $ein hatched ear"y in the s#rin !hen the !eather is
co"d and it &ay $e difficu"t to heat the !ho"e $ui"din #ro#er"y. It is a"so econo&ica" in
fue" under such conditions.
If' on the other hand' the nu&$er of duck"ins hatched durin the co"d !eather is so "are
that a"" or near"y a"" of the house ca#acity is needed to care for the&' it !i"" usua""y #ay to
insta"" an additiona" heater' the #i#es fro& !hich can $e run a"on the rear !a"" of the
$ui"din' in order to kee# u# a #ro#er house te&#erature !hen the !eather is se%ere.
Pens. Ha%in the ho%ers in the center of the house' &akes it #ossi$"e to ha%e dou$"e sets
of #ens' one runnin fro& the center to the front !a"" and the other fro& the center to the
rear !a"". The #ens are di%ided off $y &eans of #artitions &ade of one foot $oards. These
are hih enouh to confine the duck"ins to their o!n #en and at the sa&e ti&e are easy
to ste# o%er. In a house of this !idth' *+ feet' !ith / feet in the center taken u# $y the
dou$"e ho%ers or !a"k' each #en is , feet "on in the c"ear or (+ feet to the #artition under
the ho%er. The #ens in the first third of the house are &ade 2 feet !ide' in the next third .
feet and in the "ast third - feet !ide. 8hen the duck"ins are first $rouht fro& the
incu$ator ce""ar they are #"aced in the #ens nearest the heater as the te&#erature !i"" run
so&e!hat hiher there than in the #ortions of the house &ore re&ote fro& the heater.
These 2 x (+ foot #ens !i"" acco&&odate (*2 $a$y duck"ins a"thouh $etter resu"ts !i""
$e o$tained $y #"acin on"y (++ in a #en if sufficient roo& is a%ai"a$"e. So&e duck
ro!ers use $oards !hich can $e s"i##ed into s"ots &ade of c"eats nai"ed to the #en
#artitions at different distances fro& the ho%er and !hich ser%e to confine the $a$y
duck"ins c"ose to the ho%er for the first fe! days or unti" they "earn to o under the ho%er
to et !ar&.
As additiona" duck"ins are hatched "ater and $rouht to the $rooder house' the duck"ins
a"ready there are &o%ed a"on the necessary nu&$er of #ens in order to acco&&odate the
ne!=co&ers in the #ens nearest the heater. ;or this #ur#ose' a s&a"" door is &ade in each
#artition next the outside !a"" of the house throuh !hich the duck"ins can $e dri%en. A
$roo& is a handy i&#"e&ent to use in dri%in the duck"ins as they can $e #ushed a"on
in front of it. It is $est to dri%e the duck"ins ?ust after they ha%e $een fed as they are not
so ner%ous and afraid at that ti&e.
The increased !idth of the #ens in the second and third #ortions of the house is for the
#ur#ose of takin care of the ro!th of the duck"ins as they are &o%ed a"on the house.
Pens of the sa&e !idth as those in !hich they !ere started $eco&e too cro!ded as the
duck"ins increase in siAe.
E9ui#&ent of the Pen. The e9ui#&ent of the #ens is 9uite si&#"e. 8ater is #i#ed throuh
the house a"on $oth !a""s so that it is a%ai"a$"e to each #en. A s#iot is #ro%ided in each
#en and under this is #"aced the drinkin dish' !hich consists of a round &eta" #an a$out
a foot in dia&eter and 1 or / inches dee#. A s9uare #an shou"d ne%er $e used as the
duck"ins are a#t to et their $i""s cauht in the corners. 7ne 9uarter inch &esh !ire
nettin is $ent in a circ"e and #"aced in the drinkin dish as a uard to kee# the duck"ins
fro& ettin into the #an. This uard shou"d $e &ade of such siAe that there is a s#ace
$et!een the !ire and the ede of the dish of a$out (=(E* inches a"" around. This uard
shou"d $e a$out , inches hih. The !ater #an itse"f is set u#on a !ire co%ered fra&e
a$out (, inches s9uare under !hich is du a #it / or 2 inches dee# to drain a!ay any
!ater !hich the duck"ins s"o# out of the #an. Such an arrane&ent kee#s the #ens fro&
$eco&in s"o##y and da&#.
Each #en &ust a"so ha%e a f"at &eta" dish on !hich to #"ace the feed for the "itt"e ducks.
6eta" #ans are $etter than !ooden feedin trays as they are easier to kee# c"ean.
In each #en is #ro%ided a s&a"" ho##er fi""ed !ith fine shar# creek sand to !hich the
duck"ins ha%e access at a"" ti&es. So&e duck ro!ers #refer to &ix the sand in the feed
rather than to #ro%ide it in ho##ers. After the duck"ins are a""o!ed to run in the yards'
sand need not $e furnished if the yards are sand as the duck"ins !i"" he"# the&se"%es. If
the "and in the yards is not sand' ho!e%er' it is necessary to continue to furnish this
&ateria".
Cradin and Sortin the Duck"ins. As the duck"ins are &o%ed fro& #en to #en throuh
this house as !e"" as the other houses' they are constant"y raded for siAe and thriftiness'
the s&a""er' "ess thrifty indi%idua"s $ein "eft !ith youner "ots. So&e duck"ins do not
ro! as 9uick"y as others' and these if "eft !ith duck"ins "arer than the&se"%es !i"" not
et their share of the feed and !i"" not do as !e"". In this connection it shou"d $e noted
that !hen youn ducks are not fair"y c"ean it is a ood indication that they are not doin
as !e"" as they shou"d.
C"eanin and @eddin the Pens. Carefu" attention &ust $e i%en to kee#in the #ens and
the duck"ins the&se"%es c"ean if they are to do !e"". Therefore the #ens &ust $e c"eaned
out as often as &ay $e necessary to acco&#"ish this #ur#ose. The ?ud&ent of the $rooder
&an &ust decide ho! often this is necessary $ut it !i"" $e at "east once a !eek. 8hen
c"eanin the #ens the o"d $eddin is thro!n out fro& the front #ens throuh the !indo!s
and fro& the $ack #ens throuh the door #ro%ided in the rear !a"" for this #ur#ose.
@eddin the #ens &ust $e done &ore fre9uent"y' usua""y a$out e%ery other day. ;resh
$eddin !i"" he"# to a$sor$ the dro##ins and !i"" kee# the #ens fro& $eco&in s"o##y
or sticky. ;or $eddin' stra!' &eado! hay' s!a"e hay or any other suita$"e &ateria"
a%ai"a$"e shou"d $e uti"iAed.
Benti"ation. P"enty of %enti"ation is re9uired in the $rooder house in order to take out the
a&&onia odor !hich arises fro& the dro##ins. Pro#er"y &anaed' the doors and
!indo!s #ro%ide sufficient &eans of %enti"ation $ut so&e duck ro!ers #refer to ha%e
roof %enti"ators in addition.
7ther Ty#es of @rooder Houses. 6any other ty#es of $rooder houses are used' so&e of
the& $ein shed roof construction and &any of the& $ein $ui"t narro!er than this
house' that is to say' (/' (. or (, feet !ide !ith an a""ey!ay a"on the front or rear side
of the house fro& !hich the !ork is done. The ho%ers are #"aced at the $ack of the #ens
!hen the a""ey=!ay is in the front' other!ise' they are #"aced next to the a""ey=!ay. The
disad%antaes of these houses are that on"y sin"e #ens are #ro%ided and that %a"ua$"e
$roodin s#ace is used u# $y the a""ey=!ay. The ad%antaes of the house descri$ed a$o%e
"ie in the fact that the ho%ers are in the center of the house !ith the #ens on each side of
this' thus dou$"in the ca#acity' and that $y &akin use of a !a"k o%er the ho%er #i#e no
roo& is !asted in an a""ey=!ay. Ha%in #ens on each side a"so "essens the "a$or of takin
care of the duck"ins to so&e extent as the arrane&ent is &ore co&#act.

Henth of Ti&e in @rooder
In House 4o. (. As a ru"e the duck"ins are ke#t in the 4o. ( house unti" they are fro& *
to 1 !eeks o"d' this of course de#endin so&e!hat u#on the ti&e of year and the !eather
and a"so u#on the nu&$er of duck"ins for !hich acco&&odations &ust $e #ro%ided at
any #articu"ar ti&e. As the ducks are &o%ed do!n throuh the house and e%entua""y reach
the "ast #ens they are taken fro& this house and #"aced in $rooder house 4o. *.
@rooder House 4o. *. This is a heated house "ike $rooder house 4o. ( $ut in !hich it is
not necessary to &aintain so hih a te&#erature. Sufficient heatin a##aratus shou"d $e
insta""ed to &ake it #ossi$"e to &aintain the te&#erature at .+ derees if this $eco&es
necessary in the ear"y s#rin.
The #articu"ar $rooder house descri$ed is (/ feet !ide and has a shed roof. It is #ro%ided
!ith a !indo! in the front of each #en. 4o o#enins are re9uired a"on the $ack since
this is not a dou$"e #en house. The s#ace in such a house cou"d undou$ted"y $e used to
$etter ad%antae if it !ere constructed as !ide as the 4o. ( house and the hot !ater #i#es
and !a"k #ut throuh the &idd"e of the house so as to #ro%ide dou$"e #ens. In this house
the hot !ater #i#es are run a"on the rear of the #ens' and !hi"e ho%ers are not rea""y
necessary' a !a"k is constructed o%er the #i#es in order to sa%e s#ace and #ro%ide a
con%enient #"ace fro& !hich to do the !ork' and this for&s ho%ers.
7rdinari"y after 6ay ( no heat is needed in the 4o. * house. The #ens in this house are (*
feet !ide and they are e9ui##ed !ith feedin and !aterin arrane&ents as in $rooder
house 4o. (. As the duck"ins are &o%ed to this house fro& the 4o. ( house fro& (2+ to
*++ are #"aced in each #en. They are &o%ed throuh the house fro& #en to #en in the
sa&e &anner as in the 4o. ( house to &ake !ay for ne! arri%a"s. As a ru"e they stay in
this house a$out t!o !eeks de#endin so&e!hat on the !eather and u#on the nu&$er of
duck"ins $ein $rooded. 5ards are used in connection !ith this house !hich are the
sa&e !idth as the #ens and 2+ feet in "enth. As in the 4o. ( house the #ens in this house
shou"d $e c"eaned at "east once a !eek and they shou"d $e $edded !ith stra! or other
$eddin &ateria" e%ery other day. As soon as the ducks ha%e $een &o%ed throuh this 4o.
* house they are #ut in $rooder house 4o. 1.

@rooder House 4o. 1
This is a shed roof house (. feet !ide e9ui##ed !ith sin"e #ens. 4o heat is re9uired in
this house. 5ards of the sa&e !idth as the #ens and 2+ feet dee# are used. Usua""y the
ducks are fed outside the house fro& a !aon dri%en a"on a road!ay ?ust in front of the
yards.
The #ens are (. feet !ide and the sa&e nu&$er of ducks is used in the& as in the 4o. *
house. As a ru"e the ducks stay in this house a$out * !eeks and are then &o%ed to the
duck #ens or she"ters !ith the "arer yards !hich &ay or &ay not ha%e !ater. ;ro& this
#oint on the ducks are ter&ed yard ducks.
In a"" three of the $rooder houses the youn ducks are su##"ied !ith their drinkin !ater
fro& #i#es throuh the houses. They are not i%en access to !ater unti" they are &o%ed to
the yards.

5ard Acco&&odations for Duck"ins
As the duck"ins et to $e , !eeks o"d they can stand ordinary !eather conditions and it
is not a$so"ute"y necessary to ha%e houses for the&. Ho!e%er' it is co&&on and ood
#ractice to #ro%ide she"ter !here they can $e housed at niht and can take refue fro&
stor&s. A suita$"e house for this #ur#ose consists of a $ui"din (. x */ feet di%ided into
t!o #arts !ith *++ duck"ins to a side. This house is 2 feet hih in front and 1=(E* feet in
$ack. It is set on #osts !ith a $ase$oard around it to &ake it tiht. It can $e constructed of
&atched stuff or un&atched stuff co%ered !ith #a#er. The front is "eft o#en $ut curtains
are #"aced on the front !hich can $e used to c"ose the o#enins so as to kee# out the
sno!. These are used on"y in the !inter. 8hen the duck"ins are first started in these
sheds they are shut in !hen desired $y &eans of !ire #ane"s fitted into the "o!er #art of
the o#en front. The duck"ins are "eft in these yards and fed there unti" they are ready for
&arket.
Shade. Shade is i&#ortant for the duck"ins as soon as the sun ets hot. Ex#osure to the
sun !ithout shade !i"" cause 9uite a hea%y "oss in duck"ins. If natura" shade is not
furnished $y trees' so&e artificia" &eans &ust $e ado#ted to su##"y the shade. This &ay
take the for& of she"ters or "o! fra&es co%ered !ith $oards' $rush or $ur"a#.
;eedin. The first feed and !ater is i%en as soon as the ducks are #"aced in the 4o. (
$rooder house or !hen */ to 1. hours o"d. They are fed 1 ti&es a day' in the &ornin
a$out . a. &.' at noon' and at niht a$out /:1+ or 2 o>c"ock. The ti&e of feedin shou"d $e
reu"ar' and fair"y ear"y in the &ornin $ut not any ear"ier in the afternoon than one can
he"# so that the ti&e $et!een the e%enin and the &ornin feed !i"" not $e too "on.
So&e ro!ers #refer to feed / or 2 ti&es dai"y for the first !eek or t!o. The $irds are fed
as &uch as they !i"" c"ean u# at each feedin and if any feed is "eft it shou"d $e athered
u# so that it !i"" not sour and cause diesti%e trou$"es.
The first feed consists of the fo""o!in:==7ne &easure corn &ea"' one &easure $ran' one
&easure round crackers' sta"e $read or shredded !heat !aste' one &easure in (+ of $eef
scra# or fish' one &easure in . of creek rass or other %ery fine reen stuff. Creen rye or
oats shou"d ne%er $e used for this #ur#ose after it $eco&es ?ointed. If the feed is &ixed u#
!ith co"d !ater a$out =(E* &easure of "o!=rade !heat f"our shou"d $e used to cause it to
stick toether. If hot !ater is used in the &ixin this is not needed.
Sand &ust $e fed either $y &ixin it in to the extent of a$out 13 of the ration or the sand
can $e fed se#arate"y in ho##ers as #re%ious"y descri$ed. This sa&e &ixture &ay $e fed
in the 4o. (' 4o. *' and 4o. 1 $rooder houses' or in other !ords' unti" duck"ins o to the
yards' or ration 4o. * i%en $e"o! &ay $e su$stituted either at the start or after a !eek or
ten days. After the duck"ins o to the yards the fo""o!in fattenin ration is used: *++
#ounds corn &ea"' (++ #ounds "o!=rade f"our' (++ #ounds $ran' ( #art in (+ of $eef
scra# and * tu$s or $ushe"s of reen stuff. So&e duck ro!ers #refer to feed 1++ #ounds
of corn &ea" instead of *++ #ounds. This ration "ike the other is fed 1 ti&es a day. 7f
course' there are &any different rations in use !ith ood resu"ts' e%ery ro!er ha%in
&ore or "ess #ersona" #references in this &atter. A #ro#er #ro#ortion of ani&a" feed'
consistin of $eef scra# or fish is %ery i&#ortant as the duck"ins !i"" not ro! and &ake
nor&a" ains if this is o&itted or reduced in a&ount.
6uch has $een !ritten a$out the feedin of ce"ery seed to fattenin duck"ins for the
#ur#ose of i&#ro%in the f"a%or of the f"esh and for&er"y duck"ins !ere ad%ertised and
so"d as Dce"ery=fedD. As a &atter of fact' the a&ount of ce"ery seed fed !as s&a"" and it is
9uestiona$"e ho! &uch inf"uence it had on the f"a%or of the $irds. At the #resent ti&e'
ce"ery seed is not used in fattenin the duck"ins on &ost of the "are duck far&s of Hon
Is"and.
A co&#arison of ains &ade $y duck"ins on t!o different rations is sho!n in the
fo""o!in ta$"e. Ration 4o. ( consists of the fattenin ration i%en a$o%e. Ration 4o. *
consists of (++ #ounds $ran' (++ #ounds corn &ea"' 2+ #ounds ro""ed oats' 2+ #ounds
"uten feed' (+3 $eef scra#. The ducks used !ere three days o"d at the first !eihin and
there !ere *- in each "ot. After the second !eihin the nu&$er in each "ot !as reduced
to */ ducks.
;eed 4o. ( ;eed 4o. *
Tota" 8eiht A%erae 8eiht Tota" 8eiht A%erae 8t
Auust (/ /=1E/ "$s. +.(-. /=1E/ "$s. +.(-.
Auust *( (+ D +.1- )=(E* D +.12*
Auust *, (.=(E* D +..,- (-=(E* D +.-*)
Se#te&$er 2 *2 D (.+/( *- D (.(*2
Se#te&$er (1 //=(E* D (.,2/ /,=(E* D *.+*
Se#te&$er () 2+ D *.+,1 2.=(E* D *.12/
Se#te&$er *- ./ D *.... .- D *..*
7cto$er / -,=(E* D 1.*- ,*=(E* D 1./1-
7cto$er (( ))=(E* D /.(/2 (+1=(E* D /.1(*
7cto$er (, ((2=(E* D /.,(* (() D /.)2,
7cto$er *2 (*. D 2.*2 (12 D 2..*
Hihts for Duck"ins. 7ften !hen the ducks are a$out one=third ro!n or a$out / !eeks
o"d they !i"" sta&#ede at niht at any unusua" noise or any other distur$ance. In doin
this' es#ecia""y !hen they are in fair"y "are "ots' they sure $ack and forth in the #ens'
runnin o%er one another !ith the resu"t that their $acks are torn and scratched !hi"e not
infre9uent"y &ore serious in?uries resu"t and &ay cause cri##"es. To kee# the& 9uiet it is
co&&on to use "ihts at niht. ;or&er"y "anterns !ere used $ut no! on &ost duck #"ants
e"ectric "ihts are a%ai"a$"e for this #ur#ose. ;or a house (/+ feet "on' six (2=!att "ihts
scattered at e9ua" inter%a"s !i"" $e sufficient' and these can $e used in "ike #ro#ortion for
houses of other "enths. The "ihts are "eft on a"" niht. E%en !hen the ducks are ha"f
ro!n and &ay $e out on the yards it is sti"" necessary to use "ihts on stor&y nihts so
that they !i"" stay in and kee# 9uiet and not et dro!ned in the rain. 8ith a (. x */ foot
house such as descri$ed #re%ious"y' a sin"e *2 !att "iht is sufficient. Duck"ins are
es#ecia""y "ike"y to $e sta&#eded durin thunderstor&s and if a stor& is co&in u# it is
!e"" to turn on the "ihts and to shut the duck"ins in their she"ters !hen they are first
#"aced in the yards. 7ne shou"d not carry a "antern !hen &o%in a&on the duck"ins at
niht as this !i"" cause &o%in shado!s !hich are %ery "ike"y to frihten and sta&#ede
the $irds.
Pounds of ;eed to Produce a Pound of 6arket Duck. It is stated $y "on esta$"ished duck
ro!ers that fro& 2 to - #ounds of feed is re9uired' this inc"udin the feed i%en to the
$reedin ducks for the season' to #roduce a #ound of &arket duck.
8ater for 5oun Ducks. Drinkin !ater is #ro%ided to the duck"ins !hi"e in the $rooder
houses $y &eans of a #i#ed su##"y. The drinkin #ans are fi""ed at each feedin ti&e $ut
at no other ti&e. 8ater is not "eft $efore the& continuous"y !hi"e they are in the $rooder
houses as they !ou"d $e !orkin in it a"" the ti&e and this !ou"d kee# the& dirty and
&ake the house s"o##y. After they are #ut out on the yards they &ay or &ay not $e
#ro%ided !ith !ater in !hich they can s!i&. 6ost duck ro!ers on Hon Is"and a""o!
the& to ha%e access to !ater. 8hi"e it is undou$ted"y true that s!i&&in in the !ater
induces the& to take &ore exercise and thus tends to reduce so&e!hat the ra#idity of
fattenin' at the sa&e ti&e it "essens the "a$or %ery &ateria""y as they do not need to $e
#ro%ided !ith a su##"y of drinkin !ater other than the !ater in !hich they s!i&.
Duck"ins can $e ro!n %ery successfu""y !ith on"y a "i&ited a&ount of !ater' that is'
on"y enouh to drink and in !hich to !ash the&se"%es.
Ae and 8eiht 8hen Ready for 6arket. Duck"ins are usua""y &arketed !hen they are
(+ to (* !eeks o"d. A #artia" &ou"t on the neck and $reast occurs a$out this ti&e i%in
the& a so&e!hat rouh "ook. This indicates that they are in #ro#er condition to ki"". If
ki""in is not done !ithin a !eek after this &ou"t starts they !i"" $ein to "ose f"esh and it
!i"" $e so&e ti&e $efore they !i"" fatten aain. Ducks !hen ready to shi# !i"" a%erae
fro& 2 to . #ounds. A &a?ority !i"" !eih nearer 2 than . #ounds. A #en of fattened
ducks is dri%en u# to the ki""in house and into a #en !here each one is cauht u# and
exa&ined to see if it is in ood condition. If the duck has a ood s&ooth $reast so that the
$reast$one is not fe"t !hen hand"ed and is !e"" f"eshed on the $ack it is ready to ki"". If it
is not in this condition it is thro!n out and these thin ducks are returned to the yards for
further fattenin or are uti"iAed for shi##in a"i%e. Thin ducks are enera""y used for "i%e
shi#&ents as they !i"" not shrink as &uch as !e"" fattened ducks.
Cri##"es. There !i"" a"!ays $e found in the f"ocks &ore or "ess cri##"ed ducks and those
!ith crooked $acks' t!isted !ins' etc. As a ru"e ducks !ith t!isted !ins fatten !e""
and are in ood condition and can $e ki""ed a$out as soon as any of the others. The
cri##"ed ducks are sorted out into a "ot $y the&se"%es !here they are he"d unti" they can
$e #ut into condition to &arket. It is dou$tfu" !hether it #ays the duck ro!ers to $other
!ith these ducks since they are rather difficu"t to condition and it !ou"d #ro$a$"y #ay
$etter to ki"" the&. Ho!e%er' it is 9uite co&&on #ractice to carry the& unti" they can $e
&arketed.
C"eanin the 5ards. The yards &ust $e c"eaned !hene%er they need it. It is a &atter of
?ud&ent to decide !hen this is necessary $ut they &ust $e c"eaned !hene%er they et
sticky or s"o##y. The !eather !i"" ha%e a considera$"e inf"uence u#on the fre9uency of
c"eanin !hich &ay $e necessary once in t!o !eeks' or in the yards of $rooder houses
4os. * and 1 &ay run as often as once a !eek. In dry !eather the yards are c"eaned $y
s!ee#in u# the dro##ins and cartin the& a!ay. In !et !eather the ducks in runnin
a$out o%er the yard #ack do!n the dro##ins unti" they for& a sort of #utty="ike "ayer
!hich has to $e scra#ed off !ith a hoe.
Critica" Period !ith 5oun Ducks. The critica" #eriod !ith youn ducks is the first !eek
of their existence. 8ith ood &anae&ent after they ha%e #assed this #oint not &any are
"ost. The "oss in youn ducks fro& the ti&e they are hatched unti" they are ready for
&arket !i"" rane a"" the !ay fro& 2 to 1+3. 8hen the "oss does not a%erae &ore than
(+3 for the season this is considered ood. Undou$ted"y &any duck raisers "ose a reater
#ercent than (+.

Disease Pre%ention
Trou$"e fro& disease in youn ducks is not se%ere a"thouh there is a reater "oss fro&
this source than in the case of &ature ducks. The ai& of the ro!er shou"d $e to use such
&ethods of &anae&ent and feedin as !i"" kee# the duck"ins in ood hea"th and reduce
the "osses to a &ini&u&. To acco&#"ish this care &ust $e taken to see that the $roodin
te&#eratures are correct' that the feed used contains !hat the duck"ins need' that they
are not o%erfed and that the house and yards are c"ean and dry and the feed and !ater
dishes are c"ean. Re&e&$er that reen feed and ani&a" feed are essentia" inredients in
the ration.
Ca#es or Pneu&onia. 7ne of the #rinci#a" trou$"es is a disease !hich is ca""ed
D#neu&oniaD $y so&e duck raisers and $y others Da#esD. It is not the sa&e disease
!hich is ca""ed a#es in chickens. In fact' it is a for& of co"d !hich a##roaches
#neu&onia. The "itt"e ducks stretch their necks u# and $reathe hard and usua""y die !ithin
a co&#arati%e"y short ti&e. This disease &ay affect either the $a$y ducks or ducks !hich
are o"d enouh to ki"". A"" that can $e done is to &ake sure that the housin and $roodin
conditions are such as to correct the trou$"e !hich causes the co"ds.
;its. In addition' the "itt"e ducks for the first 1 or / days &ay $e &ore or "ess su$?ect to a
disease !hich is ca""ed DfitsD $y so&e duck ro!ers. 8ith this disease they si&#"y kee"
o%er and soon die. It is #ro$a$"y a diesti%e difficu"ty of so&e sort. The feedin of #"enty
of reen stuff or the turnin of the ducks out on rass !i"" usua""y sto# this trou$"e.
Diarrhoea. This is a fair"y co&&on trou$"e. It &ay $e due to i&#ro#er feedin' or to too
hih or "o! te&#erature in the $rooder. The o$%ious treat&ent is to re&edy the cause or
causes of the trou$"e.
Ha&eness. 4ot infre9uent"y ro!ers' #articu"ar"y $einners' ex#erience difficu"ty fro& a
fair"y "are #ro#ortion of their duck"ins $eco&in "a&e. This &ay ro! !orse unti" a
considera$"e nu&$er of the $irds !i"" die. This trou$"e &ay $e due to a "ack of ani&a"
&atter and &inera" &atter in the ration or &ay $e due to diesti%e trou$"es caused $y
#oor rations' $y o%er feedin' $y fai"in to ather u# feed not eaten $y the duck"ins and
"ea%in it to sour' or $y "ack of c"ean"iness of the feed and !ater dishes. 8here the #ens
are a""o!ed to $eco&e da&# and s"o##y this &ay a"so cause so&e "a&eness.
Sore Eyes. 7ccasiona""y duck ro!ers co&#"ain that their duck"ins suffer fro& sore
eyes. This &ay $e due to a co"d causin a dischare fro& the eyes or &ay $e due to the
use of too s"o##y feed !hich adheres to the eyes and causes an irritation. Affected $irds
shou"d $e #"aced in a se#arate #en fro& the others and the eyes shou"d $e $athed !ith an
antise#tic so"ution.
;eather Eatin or DLui""inD. This is a $ad ha$it !hich is a#t to cause &ore or "ess trou$"e
!hen the duck"ins are a$out t!o=thirds ro!n. It is &uch &ore "ike"y to occur !hen the
$irds are ke#t in cra&#ed 9uarters. It is usua""y started $y one or a fe! indi%idua"s $ut
!hen the feathers are in?ured so that they $ein to $"eed' !hich they !i"" %ery 9uick"y do'
the %ice !i"" s#read a&on the !ho"e f"ock and serious da&ae !i"" occur. It is therefore
necessary to $e on the "ookout for this trou$"e' and as soon as detected' the $irds
res#onsi$"e shou"d $e re&o%ed. If the cu"#rits are #"aced !ith o"der $irds !hich are
a"ready feathered' they !i"" not trou$"e $y tryin to eat the feathers. It is the $"ood in the
ro!in feathers !hich attracts the&. If the ha$it has $eco&e enera"' it is &ore difficu"t
to check. A$out the $est thin that can $e done' is to turn the& out in a roo&y yard' one
!ith a ro!in reen cro#' if a%ai"a$"e' !here they !i"" $e so $usy as to sto# the feather
eatin of their o!n accord.
Rats.==Rats are %ery destructi%e if they et into the $rooder house. A sin"e rat has $een
kno!n to ki"" and dra off as &any as *++ duck"ins in one niht. If a rat ets into the
$rooder house it is therefore of the ut&ost i&#ortance that it $e hunted do!n and ki""ed
!ithout de"ay. 7ther!ise serious "osses !i"" resu"t.

Coo#erati%e ;eed Association
A %ery "are #ro#ortion of the feed used on a duck #"ant is that !hich is fed to the &arket
ducks. @y #urchasin feed in considera$"e 9uantities the duck ro!er is a$"e to cut do!n
the cost to so&e extent. A nu&$er of the duck raisers on Hon Is"and ha%e de%e"o#ed this
idea further $y for&in a coo#erati%e feed oraniAation. Stock in this concern is he"d $oth
$y the duck ro!ers and $y outsiders $ut is contro""ed $y the duck ro!ers. The feed
association &aintains a feed !arehouse' #urchases feeds in 9uantity and does $usiness
$oth !ith the duck ro!ers and !ith other #ersons in the &arket for feed. The existence
of a coo#erati%e feed #urchasin association of this sort not on"y cuts do!n to so&e
extent the cost of feed $ut "ike!ise &akes it #ossi$"e for the duck ro!ers to ha%e reater
assurance of securin the su##"y !hich is so necessary to the& durin the ro!in
season. _
_ PART I. DUCKS
CHAPTER BII. Co&&ercia" Duck ;ar&in==6arketin
7n co&&ercia" duck far&s' the $usiness consists &ain"y of #roducin "are 9uick"y
ro!n duck"ins !hich are &arketed $efore they are &ature. @ecause of this i&&aturity'
the ducks are 9uite co&&on"y ter&ed reen ducks. The $usiness has a"so $eco&e so
hih"y s#ecia"iAed on Hon Is"and and this is such a center of the industry' that the $irds
are co&&on"y 9uoted on the 4e! 5ork &arket as Hon Is"and duck"ins.
Pro#er Ae to 6arket. It is i&#ortant that the duck"ins $e &arketed as soon as they ha%e
reached the #ro#er ae and stae of de%e"o#&ent. 8hen the duck"ins are a$out (+ to (*
!eeks o"d they $ein to shed their first ro!th of feathers. This is a##arent first on the
neck and $reast' i%in the& so&e!hat of a rouh a##earance. The duck"ins &ust $e
&arketed !ithin one !eek after they $ein this &ou"t. If they are a""o!ed to o "oner
than this they !i"" $ein to et thin and as it !i"" take the& . !eeks or &ore to ro! a
ne! cro# of feathers it !i"" $e a considera$"e #eriod $efore they et $ack in &arket
condition aain and any additiona" !eiht !hich they &ay attain !i"" not $e sufficient to
#ay for the feed eaten durin this #eriod.
8eihts at the Ti&e of 6arketin. 8e"" ro!n duck"ins shou"d a%erae in !eiht fro& 2
to . #ounds at (+ to (* !eeks of ae !hen they are ready to $e &arketed. A &a?ority of
the ducks !i"" !eih c"oser to 2 #ounds than they !i"" to .. The %ast &a?ority of
duck"ins are &arketed at this ae as it does not #ay to kee# the& #ast the ti&e they reach
#ri&e &arket condition. 7n co&&ercia" duck far&s #ractica""y the on"y ducks !hich are
&arketed at an o"der ae than this are the $reeders !hich are turned off at the end of the
"ayin season and the duck"ins !hich $y reason of their $ein cri##"ed or "ess thrifty are
not in suita$"e &arket condition at this ti&e and are he"d "oner unti" they are in ood
condition. The duck"ins are &arketed fro& ear"y s#rin unti" "ate fa"". The ti&e at !hich
duck"ins are first a%ai"a$"e for &arket in any 9uantity de#ends u#on the ear"iness !ith
!hich the $reeders $ein to "ay and the end of the season de#ends u#on ho! "ate the
$reeders continue to "ay at a #rofita$"e rate.
The Hast ;eed for 6arket Ducks. It is i&#ortant in order to ha%e the dressed duck"ins
a##ear to the $est ad%antae and a"so in order to insure their kee#in 9ua"ities as &uch as
#ossi$"e that they shou"d ha%e no feed in their cro#s !hen they are ki""ed. This &eans that
if they are to $e ki""ed in the &ornin' !hich is the usua" #ractice' they shou"d $e fed for
the "ast ti&e the #re%ious niht. If' ho!e%er' they are not to $e ki""ed unti" afternoon they
can $e fed "iht"y in the &ornin.
Sortin 6arket Duck"ins. 8hen a #en of duck"ins !hich are $ein fattened are dee&ed
ready to $e ki""ed they are dri%en u# to the ki""in house and a fe! of the& at a ti&e
dri%en into a s&a"" #en !here it is easy to catch and exa&ine the&. Each duck as it is
cauht is exa&ined to &ake sure that it is in #ro#er &arket condition. The exa&ination
consists of fee"in of the duck>s $ody to see that it has a ood s&ooth $reast so that the
$reast $one cannot $e readi"y fe"t. If it is in that condition it is ready to ki"". Ducks !hich
do not sho! this condition are thro!n out and returned to the yards !here they are fed for
a "oner #eriod un"ess it is desired to shi# the& a"i%e.
At the #ro#er season of the year !hen $reeders for the next season are to $e se"ected'
suita$"e $irds for that #ur#ose are #icked out fro& the &arket "ots as they are exa&ined.
In any "ot of ducks there !i"" $e found so&e cri##"es. It is co&&on #ractice to sort these
out and rou# the& toether in a #en $y the&se"%es !here they are he"d unti" they are in
suita$"e condition for &arketin. It is dou$tfu" !hether it #ays to ho"d these cri##"es as
they are hard to et in ood condition and in &any cases are #ro$a$"y ke#t and fed at a
"oss. So&e duck"ins !i"" sho! t!isted !ins $ut as a ru"e they are thrifty and !i"" fatten
readi"y and $e in ood &arket condition.
Ki""in. As the duck"ins suita$"e for ki""in are se"ected' (+ or (* of the&' de#endin
u#on the ca#acity of the ki""in roo&' are hun u# $y their feet' the head $ein fastened
do!n $y &eans of a hook or e"se !eihted do!n $y &eans of a $"ood can hun fro& a
hook inserted throuh the $i"". @y &eans of a "on' narro! $"aded shar# knife the %eins in
the throat ?ust $eyond the sku"" are se%ered so as to cause free $"eedin. The $"ood f"o!s
either into the $"ood can or into a trouh a$o%e !hich the $irds are hun. The $irds are
not stuck or $rained un"ess it is desired to dry #ick the& nor are they as a ru"e stunned $y
hittin the& on the head $efore $"eedin. In so&e states' ho!e%er' the "a! re9uires that
a"" $irds $"ed sha"" first $e stunned in this &anner. The $"eedin of the ducks causes their
death and they are a""o!ed to han unti" they are thorouh"y $"ed out. They are then taken
do!n' the $"ood !ashed off of their heads and #"aced on a ta$"e or on the f"oor
con%enient to the #ickers' other ducks $ein hun in their #"aces.
Sca"din. The #icker se"ects a duck fro& the ta$"e !here they are #"aced after $ein taken
do!n and carries it to a "are kett"e of !ater !hich is &aintained at a te&#erature ?ust
$e"o! $oi"in. They are thorouh"y soused in this !ater ho"din the& $y the head and
feet so as to a""o! the !ater to #enetrate into the feathers unti" they can $e readi"y
#"ucked. The #icker tests the readiness !ith !hich the feathers co&e out $y #"uckin a
fe! fro& the $reast or $ody and thus deter&ines !hether the sca"din is sufficient or
!hether &ore is re9uired. Care is taken not to di# the feet or head in the !ater as this
&iht disco"or these #arts. Practica""y a"" &arket ducks fro& Hon Is"and are sca"d #icked
at the #resent ti&e. Dry #ickin !hich is de&anded in so&e &arkets such as @oston
&akes a so&e!hat $etter "ookin carcass and a"so increases the %a"ue of the feathers' $ut
is enera""y considered too s"o! and too hih"y ski""ed a #rocess for use on the a%erae
duck far&.
Pickin. After sca"din the #icker starts re&o%in the feathers. In doin this the duck is
he"d either on the "a# or on a $oard nai"ed to the side of the feather $ox. The feathers on
the $reast are #icked first' then !orkin do!n to!ard the tai"' #u""in the feathers !ith
the rain. The soft $ody feathers as #"ucked are thro!n into the feather $ox' the coarser
feathers $ein thro!n on the f"oor. The &ain !in and tai" feathers are "eft on as are
"ike!ise so&e of the feathers of the neck next the head.
The &ost trou$"eso&e #art of #ickin ducks is re&o%in the do!n. This &ay $e re&o%ed
to so&e extent $y ru$$in !ith the hand a"thouh care &ust $e taken not to $ruise the
skin se%ere"y. In so&e cases the do!n is sha%ed off !ith a shar# knife. In so&e of the
co&&ercia" #ackin houses the duck>s $ody is s#rink"ed !ith #o!dered rosin and then
di##ed into the hot !ater. This &e"ts the rosin so that the do!n and rosin can $e ru$$ed
off easi"y !ith the hand "ea%in the $ody c"ean. Pin feathers are usua""y re&o%ed $y
ras#in the& $et!een the thu&$ and a du"" knife.
In so&e #ackin houses' ducks are stea&ed $efore #ickin. 8here this is done they are
#icked c"ean and the !in and tai" feathers are #u""ed $efore stea&in takes #"ace. Six or
eiht ducks !hich ha%e $een $"ed are hun at the sa&e ti&e in the to# of a stea& $ox or
$arre" !hich can $e &ade air=tiht and the stea& turned on unti" the soft feathers of the
$reast co&e off easi"y. The "enth of ti&e to stea& de#ends on the te&#erature of the
stea& itse"f and %aries fro& one=ha"f to * &inutes. In so&e cases the ducks are hun in a
stea& $ox !ith the heads outside so as to #re%ent the stea& fro& co&in into contact
!ith the heads' #ossi$"y disco"orin the&.
7n Hon Is"and !o&en are used %ery "are"y for #ickin and they secure for this ser%ice
. cents #er duck. A ood #icker shou"d do -2 ducks or e%en &ore a day. The %a"ue of the
feathers !i"" s"iht"y &ore than #ay for the cost of #ickin.
Pickin usua""y $eins ear"y in the &ornin a$out . o>c"ock and is enera""y finished $y
noon or soon after. 6ost duck raisers fiure on doin their ki""in and #ickin durin the
first ha"f of the !eek and do not "ike to ki"" if they can he"# it durin the "atter days of the
!eek.
Dry Pickin. 8here the &arket re9uires it' the ducks &ust $e dry #icked. In doin this the
#rocedure is the sa&e as in dry #ickin chickens. After the cut is &ade to $"eed the ducks'
the #oint of the knife is #"uned throuh the roof of the &outh unti" it reaches the $rain
!hen it is turned to cause a #ara"ysis of the &usc"es !hich ena$"es the feathers to $e
#"ucked &ore easi"y. The duck is then struck on the $ack of the head !ith a c"u$ to stun it
and &ake it easier to hand"e !hen #ickin. The #icker seats hi&se"f $y the feather $ox'
!ith the duck on his "a#' ho"din the head #ressed aainst the outside of the $ox and he"d
there $y the #icker>s "e. He then #roceeds i&&ediate"y and as 9uick"y as #ossi$"e to
#"uck the feathers. It is necessary to acco&#"ish this !ithout de"ay' for the feathers soon
set and are then &uch harder to #"uck and are &ore "ike"y to resu"t in tears in the skin.
8hen re&o%in the do!n' the hand is &oistened !hen &uch of the do!n can $e ru$$ed
off. Pin feathers are re&o%ed $y ras#in the& $et!een the thu&$ and the ede of a du""
knife and any !hich cannot $e otten in this !ay are sha%ed off !ith a shar# knife. After
#ickin' the carcasses are coo"ed in co"d !ater the sa&e as the sca"ded $irds.
Coo"in. After the $irds are #"ucked they are thro!n into co"d !ater and are "eft there for
se%era" hours or unti" the $ody heat is entire"y re&o%ed. It is &ost i&#ortant that this $e
thorouh"y acco&#"ished for if any $ody heat is "eft in the carcasses they are a"&ost sure
to $eco&e reen=struck !hen #acked. The "enth of ti&e that they &ust $e "eft in the
!ater de#ends u#on the !eather conditions. If the !eather is !ar& so that the !ater is
not %ery coo" it is necessary to add ice in order to hasten the coo"in and to acco&#"ish it
thorouh"y. Coo"in in !ater a"so ser%es to #"u&# the carcasses so&e!hat.
Packin. After the ducks are thorouh"y coo"ed they are re&o%ed fro& the !ater and
#acked. Hon Is"and duck"ins are usua""y #acked in $arre"s. ;orty=fi%e ducks !i"" #ack
in a suar $arre" and 11 in a f"our $arre". The #ro#er nu&$er for the $arre" used is #"aced
on hanin s#rin sca"es and !eihed $efore $ein #acked. The $est &ethod of #ackin
is to "ay the ducks on their sides. If they are #acked on their $acks or $e""ies' the ice used
$et!een the "ayers is a#t to cause a cuttin or $ruisin of the soft a$do&ens and in?ure the
a##earance of the carcasses. @et!een each "ayer of ducks a scoo#fu" of cracked ice is
used a"thouh in coo" !eather it &ay on"y $e necessary to use ha"f a scoo# of ice. After
the $arre" is #acked it shou"d $e a""o!ed to stand for a !hi"e to sett"e. Then the to# of the
$arre" is #i"ed u# !ith cracked ice and co%ered !ith $ur"a#. 7n the side of the $arre" is
&arked the nu&$er of ducks and their !eiht. Hater a card is tacked a"onside of this
sho!in the consinee>s and the shi##er>s na&es as !e"" as the nu&$er of ducks and their
!eiht.
Shi##in. The $arre"s shou"d $e #acked and shi##ed the sa&e e%enin. Shi##in &ay $e
done either $y ex#ress or $y auto&o$i"e truck. A ood &any of the Hon Is"and duck"ins
are no! shi##ed into 4e! 5ork City $y truck.
Coo#erati%e 6arketin Association. The duck ro!ers on Hon Is"and ha%e for&ed a
coo#erati%e &arketin association. This association &aintains its o!n house in 4e! 5ork
City and se""s #ractica""y the entire out#ut of Hon Is"and duck"ins' contro""in #ro$a$"y
)+3. Durin the year ()() there !ere in the neih$orhood of ,++'+++ head of ducks
&arketed throuh this house. Practica""y a"" of the ca#ita" stock of this concern is he"d $y
the duck ro!ers and they are not a""o!ed to se"" any of their stock !ithout first offerin
it to the association.
Prices for Ducks. Ear"y in the season the duck"ins $rin the $est #rices' that is to say
fro& 6arch ( to 6ay (. Then as the out#ut of ducks increases #rices radua""y dro#. The
hea%iest shi#&ents occur in Iune' Iu"y and Auust. In Se#te&$er as the out#ut of ducks
$eins to dro# off the #rice $eins to c"i&$ a "itt"e. The fo""o!in #rices as 9uoted in the
4e! 5ork Produce Re%ie! sho! the rane fro& 6arch' ()*+' to Iune' ()*(.
Hon Is"and Duck"ins==;resh Dressed

()*+
6arch 1( /2c #er "$.
A#ri" *( /2c D D
D *, 1,c D D
6ay 2 12c D D
D (* 12c D D
D *. 12c D D
Iune * 12c D D
D ) 12c D D
D (. 12c D D
D *1 12c D D
D 1+ 12c D D
Iu"y - 12c D D
D (/ 12c D D
D *( 12c D D
D *, 12c D D
Auust / 1.c D D
D (( 1.c D D
D (, 1.c D D
D *2 1.c D D
Se#te&$er ( 1.c D D
D , 1-c D D
D (2 1-c D D
D ** 1,c D D
D *) 1,c D D
7cto$er . 1,c D D
D (1 1,c D D
D *+ 1)c D D
D *- 1)c D D
4o%e&$er 1 /+c D D
()*(
6arch 1+ /,c #er "$.
A#ri" . /.c D D
D (1 1,c D D
D *+ 1,c D D
D *- 1,c D D
6ay / 12c D D
D (( 1*c D D
D (, *,c D D
D *2 *,c D D
Iune ( *,c D D
The fo""o!in 9uotations fro& the sa&e source i%e the #rices for froAen Hon Is"and
duck"ins.
()*+
Ianuary - /(c #er "$.
D (/ /(c D D
D *( /(c D D
D *, /(c D D
;e$ruary / /(c D D
D (( /(c D D
D (, /(c D D
D *2 /(c D D
6arch 1 /(c D D
D (+ /(c D D
D (- /(c D D
4o%e&$er (+ /+c D D
D (- /+c D D
D */ /+c D D
Dece&$er ( /+c D D
D , /+c D D
D , /+c D D
D (2 /+c D D
D ** /+c D D
D *) /+c D D
()*(
Ianuary 2 /+c #er "$.
D (* /+c D D
D () /+c D D
D *. /+c D D
;e$ruary * /(c D D
D ) /(c D D
D (. /(c D D
D *1 /(c D D
6arch * /(c D D
D ) /(c D D
D (. /(c D D
D *1 /(c D D
Luotations fro& the sa&e source are i%en $e"o! to i%e so&e idea of the rane in #rice
of the "i%e Hon Is"and s#rin duck"ins and "ike!ise of "i%e o"d Hon Is"and ducks or
$reeders.
Hon Is"and S#rin Duck"ins==Hi%e.
()*+
6arch 1 2+c #er "$.
D */ 2+c D D
D 1( 22c D D
6ay 2 /+c D D
D (* /+c D D
D () 1. M /+c #er "$.
D *. /+ M /(c D D
Iune * /+c #er "$.
D ) 1. M 1,c #er "$.
D (. 1.c #er "$.
D *1 1-c D D
D 1+ 1,c D D
Iu"y - 1,c D D
D (/ 1,c D D
D *( /+c D D
D *, /+c D D
Auust / 1,c D D
D (( 1/ M 1.c #er "$.
D (, 1,c #er "$.
D *2 1,c D D
Se#te&$er ( /+c D D
D , /* M /2c #er "$.
D (2 /2c #er "$.
D ** /2c D D
D *) /+c D D
7cto$er . /*c D D
D (1 /*c D D
D *- /*c D D
4o%e&$er 1 /*c D D
D (+ /*c D D
D (- //c D D
D */ //c D D
Dece&$er ( //c D D
D (2 /* M /.c #er "$.
()*(
6arch * 22c D D
D ) 22c D D
D (. 2*c D D
D *1 2+c D D
D 1+ 22c D D
A#ri" . 2+c D D
D (1 /+c D D
D *+ /2c D D
D *- 1, M /*c #er "$.
6ay / 1,c #er "$.
D (( 1,c D D
D (, 11c D D
D *2 11c D D
Iune ( 1*c D D
Hon Is"and 7"d Ducks or @reeders==Hi%e

()*+
6arch (- /2c #er "$.
D 1( /2c D D
6ay () 1+c D D
D *. 12c D D
Iune ) 1+ M 1*c #er "$.
D (. 1*c #er "$.
D *1 1*c D D
D 1+ 12c D D
Iu"y - 12c D D
D (/ 12c D D
D *, 1+c D D
Auust / 12c D D
A#ri" . /*c D D
D (1 1.c D D
D *+ 1)c D D
D *- 11 M 1-c #er "$.
6ay (( 11c #er "$.
D *2 1+c D D
Shi##in Ducks A"i%e. 8hi"e the reat &a?ority of ducks are shi##ed dressed there is
so&e shi#&ent of "i%e ducks. This is #articu"ar"y true durin the Ie!ish ho"idays in
6arch and in Se#te&$er and 7cto$er !hen the de&and for "i%e ducks and the #rice #aid
for the& is exce""ent. As a ru"e it #ays $etter to shi# a"i%e the ducks !hich are inc"ined to
$e a "itt"e thin rather than to shi# those !hich are in to# &arket condition. This is due to
the fact that fat ducks !i"" shrink %ery considera$"y !hen coo#ed and shi##ed a"i%e' this
shrinkae runnin fro& one=ha"f to three=9uarters of a #ound #er head !here they are
coo#ed not to exceed (* to (2 hours. The ducks !hich are in the fattest condition !i""
shrink the &ost. At the season of the year !hen "i%e ducks are in $est de&and it often
#ays to shi# a"i%e the duck"ins !hich are sorted out as not $ein in the $est condition
rather than to ho"d the& for further fattenin.
Sa%in the ;eathers. The feathers fro& the ducks for& 9uite an i&#ortant source of
re%enue to the duck far&ers. As stated $efore the %a"ue of the feathers !i"" a "itt"e &ore
than #ay for the cost of #ickin and since this is a considera$"e ite& of ex#ense the
ro!er cannot afford to ne"ect the feathers. The soft $ody feathers are ke#t se#arate
fro& the coarser feathers' the "atter $ein thro!n on the f"oor as they are #"ucked. These
coarser feathers are "ater s!e#t u# and are co&&on"y s#oken of as s!ee#ins. ;eathers
fro& dry=#icked ducks are su#erior in 9ua"ity and $rin a $etter #rice $ut &ost of the
duck feathers no! &arketed fro& co&&ercia" duck far&s are sca"ded feathers. The
feathers after each day>s ki""in are athered u# and s#read out in a "oft !here they can $e
#"aced in a "ayer not o%er 1 or / inches dee#. This shou"d $e an airy #"ace so as to i%e
the feathers a ood #"ace to dry out. 7n the second day they are scra#ed u# in a #i"e and
then s#read out aain' thus turnin the& o%er and chanin their #osition. They are then
"eft unti" they are dry enouh to sack !hich shou"d $e in a "itt"e o%er a !eek. Un"ess the
feathers are thorouh"y dried out they !i"" heat !hen sacked and this !i"" serious"y hurt
their &arket 9ua"ity. 8hen dry they are #acked either in the "are s#ecia" feather sacks
&ade for this #ur#ose or in s&a""er sacks' a$out as $i as t!o $ran sacks' !hich !i"" ho"d
fro& .+ to ,+ #ounds of feathers. The feathers are shi##ed to reu"ar feather dea"ers or
&anufacturers.
Prices and Uses of Duck ;eathers. The soft $ody feathers and the coarser feathers often
ca""ed Ds!ee#insD shou"d $e ke#t and so"d se#arate. 8hi"e sca"ded feathers are not !orth
as &uch as dry #icked feathers' the for&er if #ro#er"y dried out or cured !i"" find a ready
sa"e. ;eathers #acked $efore they are thorouh"y dried out' are "ike"y to arri%e at their
destination in a &atted and &usty or heated condition. This' of course' in?ures their
9ua"ity and the #rice #aid for the& is discounted accordin to their condition.
The soft $ody feathers of ducks are used a"&ost entire"y for $eddin #ur#oses' that is' are
#ut in #i""o!s and feather $eds. 8hite feathers are #referred and usua""y $rin a
so&e!hat hiher #rice.
The #rices #aid for the feathers %ary 9uite !ide"y at different ti&es of the year' and in
different sections of the country' and a"so of course !ith the condition of the feathers
the&se"%es. The 9uotations i%en $e"o! re#resent the #rices #aid in Iune' ()*(.

Duck ;eathers Cents Per Pound
Pure !hite' dry #icked 2+ D D
Stained and sca"ded !hite /+ D D
Dark or &ixed' dry #icked 11 D D
Dark or &ixed' sca"ded *+ to *2 D D
6arketin Es. 7n co&&ercia" duck far&s %ery fe! es are &arketed. This is due to
the fact that the duck ro!ers find it &ore #rofita$"e to incu$ate a"" es suita$"e for that
#ur#ose and to rear and &arket the duck"ins rather than to se"" the es. There are
a"!ays' ho!e%er' a certain nu&$er of cracked es and others !hich &ay $e too "are or
too s&a"" to use for hatchin and !hich are therefore &arketed. In addition the inferti"e
es tested out on the 2th day are so"d. The es &ay $e #acked in ordinary 1+ doAen e
cases such as are used for hens> es' uti"iAin a s#ecia" fi""er 2 ce""s s9uare. 8ith these
fi""ers a case ho"ds *+ 2=. doAen duck es. A s#ecia" duck case' ho"din 1+ doAen duck
es &ay $e used' the fi""ers in this case $ein . ce""s s9uare "ike the fi""ers used for hens>
es. The ce""s in these fi""ers are * inches s9uare and *=(E/ or *=(E* inches dee#. _
_ PART I. DUCKS
CHAPTER BIII. Duck Raisin on the ;ar&
Duck raisin as ordinari"y conducted on the enera" far& consists of the kee#in of a
co&#arati%e"y s&a"" f"ock #ure"y as a side "ine. Ducks on the enera" far& &ay $e ke#t
for the #roduction of &eat and es' for e #roduction' or &ain"y as a $reedin
#ro#osition !here the idea is to #roduce $irds of exhi$ition 9ua"ity. 7n occasiona" far&s
ducks of the rarer $reeds are ke#t &ain"y for orna&enta" #ur#oses.
Conditions Suita$"e for Duck Raisin. A s&a"" f"ock of ducks on the far& can $e ke#t to
$est ad%antae !here they can $e se#arated fro& the other #ou"try and !here they can
ha%e access to a #asture or an orchard !hich !i"" #ro%ide the& !ith a #"entifu" su##"y of
reen feed. Ducks stand confine&ent 9uite !e"" $ut if they are c"ose"y confined it is
necessary to #ro%ide for the& the reen feed !hich they cannot secure for the&se"%es. 7n
&any far&s the f"ock of ducks is a""o!ed to rane at "i$erty and under these conditions
the cost of &aintainin the& is &uch "o!er since they #ick u# a considera$"e #art of their
feed. An enc"osed run or yard' ho!e%er' shou"d $e a%ai"a$"e !here they can $e confined
!hen desired. It is a"so necessary to #ro%ide a house or shed in !hich they can $e shut at
niht and durin the ear"y &ornin. 7ther!ise' &any of the es &ay $e dro##ed
any!here a$out the #"ace or in the !ater !ith the resu"t that so&e of the& !i"" $e "ost. A
#ond or strea& to !hich the ducks can ha%e access and in !hich they can s!i& is a reat
ad%antae since it he"#s to kee# the& in ood $reedin condition. It is a co&&on $ut
&istaken idea that "o!' !et "and is $est suited for ducks.
SiAe of ;"ock.==The a%erae far& f"ock of ducks is s&a""' rare"y runnin o%er (2 to *+
head. In &any cases not o%er (+ or (* ducks !ith one or t!o drakes !i"" $e ke#t. A f"ock
of this siAe !i"" furnish 9uite a "are nu&$er of ducks for the far&er>s ta$"e or for sa"e in
addition to &ore or "ess es !hich can either $e used at ho&e or so"d.
6akin a Start. In &akin a start !ith a far& f"ock of ducks it is #ro$a$"y $est to fiure
on kee#in on"y a fe! head. If the far&er $eins !ith / or 2 ducks and one drake he can
&ake his start at s&a"" ex#ense and fro& this nu&$er he !i"" $e a$"e to increase the siAe
of his f"ock if he finds that resu"ts !arrant it. Pro$a$"y the $est !ay to &ake a start is to
#urchase the desired $reedin stock in the fa"". This !i"" i%e the ducks a chance to et
sett"ed and to $e in ood condition and accusto&ed to their 9uarters $y s#rin so that they
!i"" $ein to $reed and "ay.
Es for hatchin can $e #urchased if desired and the youn duck"ins hatched and
reared !ith chicken hens. @a$y ducks are rare"y #urchased in &akin a start as are $a$y
chicks.
Se"ectin the @reed. Any one of the $reeds for&in the so=ca""ed &eat c"ass !i"" #ro%e
satisfactory for a far& f"ock. This c"ass inc"udes the Pekin' Ay"es$ury' 6usco%y' Rouen'
Cayua' @uff and @"ue S!edish. The $irds of any of these $reeds are of ood siAe and
therefore #roduce a suita$"e ta$"e fo!". At the sa&e ti&e they are "ayers and !i"" #roduce
es for the ta$"e or for &arket as !e"". 8here the #ur#ose in kee#in the ducks is &ain"y
that of #roducin es for &arket the Runner is undou$ted"y the $reed to se"ect. 8hi"e
these ducks are s&a""er in siAe the duck"ins !i"" &ake ood carcasses of $roi"er siAe for
the ta$"e $ein ki""ed for this #ur#ose !hen a$out *=(E* to 1 #ounds in !eiht. In
addition' the Runner is the $est "ayin $reed and $y &any #ersons is considered to $e
e9ua" in its e #roducin 9ua"ities to any of the $reeds of chickens.
Se"ection of any $reed or %ariety of the &eat or e c"asses and es#ecia""y the se"ection of
a $reed or %ariety for orna&enta" #ur#oses or for the #"easure of $reedin !i"" de#end
u#on the indi%idua" #reference of the o!ner for $ody sha#e' co"or of #"u&ae and other
characteristics. A #ure $reed of so&e kind shou"d $y a"" &eans $e ke#t in #reference to
the co&&on or so=ca""ed D#udd"eD duck. 4ot on"y !i"" the #ure $reeds i%e reater
unifor&ity in the carcasses #roduced $ut the resu"ts in e #roduction !i"" "ike!ise $e
$etter.
Ae of @reedin Stock. The $est resu"ts in $reedin are secured fro& ducks durin their
first "ayin season. 4ot on"y is e #roduction $etter $ut they are "ess "ike"y to $eco&e so
fat and "are as to interfere !ith the ferti"ity and hatcha$i"ity of the es. In fact' on
co&&ercia" duck far&s the $reedin stock is entire"y rene!ed each year. Ho!e%er' ducks
can $e #rofita$"y ke#t unti" they are * or 1 years o"d' and it is co&&on #ractice in a far&
f"ock to ho"d o%er so&e of the $reeders after they ha%e finished their first year. 7f course'
!here the duck $reeder has so&e es#ecia""y fine stock !hich !i"" #roduce ?ust the 9ua"ity
he desires in the offs#rin' he ho"ds and uti"iAes these $irds ?ust as "on as they are in
ood $reedin condition. As a ru"e it is $est not to ho"d $reedin ducks after they ha%e
finished their second "ayin season.
SiAe of 6atins. The #ro#er nu&$er of ducks !hich shou"d $e &ated to a drake %aries
!ith the different $reeds. Pekins and Ay"es$ury can $e &ated in the #ro#ortion of one
drake to . to , ducks. In the Rouen &ate / or 2 ducks to a drake and in the Cayua 2 or .
ducks to a drake. In the 6usco%y as hih as (+ fe&a"es &ay $e &ated !ith one &a"e. In
the @"ue S!edish and @uff &ate in the #ro#ortion of . or - ducks to one drake. In the
Ca"" and East India $reeds fro& 2 to , ducks can $e &ated to one drake. In the Crested
8hite use 2 or . ducks and in the Runner . to , ducks to a drake.
8here youn drakes are used &ore ducks can $e &ated to the& than is the case !ith o"d
drakes. It is a"so true that !here es#ecia""y "are exhi$ition $irds ha%e $een reser%ed for
$reedin #ur#oses it is necessary to reduce the nu&$er of ducks &ated to a drake as
other!ise the ferti"ity is %ery "ike"y to run "o!er !ith these o"der hea%ier ducks.
@reedin and Hayin Season. Under ordinary far& conditions !here the ducks recei%e
on"y fair"y ood care and feed the "ayin does not $ein to any extent unti" ;e$ruary or
6arch. 8ith exce#tiona" care the ducks !i"" $ein to "ay in Ianuary and a fe! &ay e%en
"ay in Dece&$er. The ducks "ay %ery #ersistent"y and continue their "ayin unti" hot
!eather sets in or usua""y a$out the first of Iu"y. They radua""y "et u# in their "ayin unti"
it ceases a"&ost entire"y soon after that date. The $reedin season is at its heiht in the
&onths of A#ri" and 6ay. At this ti&e the ferti"ity !i"" run $est and the resu"ts in hatchin
!i"" $e &ost satisfactory. Ho!e%er' it is #ossi$"e to continue to hatch the duck es !hich
are #roduced !ith fair resu"ts as "on as the ducks continue to "ay.
6anae&ent of @reeders.
Housin. So&e sort of house or she"ter &ust $e #ro%ided for the $reedin f"ock. Any
a%ai"a$"e shed or a #art of the #ou"try house &ay $e uti"iAed for this #ur#ose. 4o s#ecia"
re9uire&ents are necessary exce#t that the house shou"d #ro%ide sufficient %enti"ation.
This is $est furnished $y &eans of a !indo! and in addition' an o#enin in the front of
the house shou"d $e #ro%ided !hich can $e c"osed $y &eans of a curtain durin se%ere
!inter !eather. A $oard f"oor is not necessary if the dirt f"oor is fi""ed u# . or , inches
a$o%e the round "e%e" outside the house. The f"oors shou"d $e #ro%ided !ith an
a$undance of "itter !hich is usua""y chaned on"y once or t!ice durin the year. As the
"itter tends to $eco&e dirty &ore "itter &ust $e added. 4o e9ui#&ent is necessary in the
houses as the $irds rest on the f"oor and "ay their es any!here a$out the house or
!here%er they &ay &ake their nests. The house shou"d $e so arraned that the ducks can
$e shut in at niht and can $e ke#t there unti" they ha%e finished "ayin in the &ornin. As
&ost of the duck es are "aid ear"y in the &ornin they can $e "et out $y , or ) o>c"ock in
the su&&er. If "et out ear"ier than this they are "ike"y to "ay so&e of their es in the #ond
or strea& to !hich they ha%e access and these !ou"d $e "ost.
;eedin. 7n &any far&s the $reedin f"ock of ducks is fed on the sa&e ration !hich is
i%en the far& fo!"s. Ho!e%er' $etter resu"ts !i"" $e o$tained if they are i%en s#ecia"
feeds. After the "ayin season is o%er the $reedin ducks can $e fed s#arin"y on a &ash
consistin of one #art $y !eiht corn &ea"' * #arts $ran' ( #art "o! rade !heat f"our' (
#art reen feed' ,3 $eef scra# and 13 oyster she"". This &ash is &ixed u# !ith !ater
unti" it has a consistency ?ust $et!een sticky and cru&$"y. It shou"d ne%er $e fed in a
s"o##y condition. A feed of this &ash shou"d $e i%en in the &ornin and at niht and
durin the "on days of su&&er it is !e"" a"so to i%e a "iht feed of cracked corn or
&ixed rains in the &idd"e of the day. Ho!e%er' ?ud&ent &ust $e used in feedin ducks
es#ecia""y if they ha%e rane o%er !hich they can roa& !here they can #ick u# &ore or
"ess ani&a" feed and other &ateria". In this case it is not necessary to feed near"y so &uch.
Another &ash !hich &ay $e used instead of the one i%en consists of 1 #arts $y &easure
of corn &ea"' / #arts $ran' * #arts "o! rade !heat f"our' three=fourths #art $eef scra# and
* #arts reen feed !ith a su##"y of oyster she"".
A"on a$out Dece&$er ( the feed shou"d $e chaned !ith the idea of inducin e
#roduction. A feed consistin of one #art $y !eiht corn &ea"' ( #art "o! rade f"our or
&idd"ins' ( #art $ran' (23 $eef scra#' (23 %eeta$"es or reen feed toether !ith
oyster she"" shou"d $e fed &ornin and e%enin and in addition a feed consistin of corn
and !heat &ay $e i%en at noon in a 9uantity of a$out one 9uart for each 1+ ducks. As
&uch &ash shou"d $e i%en the& at the &ornin and e%enin feed as they !i"" c"ean u#.
Another ood &ash feed !hich &ay $e used consists of * #arts $y !eiht of $ran' * #arts
&idd"ins' * #arts corn &ea"' ( #art $eef scra#' ( #art round oats and one=tenth of the
tota" !eiht sand. In addition' of course' reen feed &ust $e added to the ration if it is not
a%ai"a$"e at a"" ti&es in the yard. This &ash is fed in the &ornin and in the e%enin. The
noon feed consists of ( #art $y !eiht of corn and * #arts oats. 8here reen feed is not
a%ai"a$"e and &ust $e su##"ied' cut c"o%er' a"fa"fa' rye' oats and corn &ay $e uti"iAed cut
u# into short #ieces and &ixed in the &ash. The &ash shou"d $e fed either to $reedin
stock or to duck"ins on f"at trays or $oards rather than in trouhs as the ducks can et at
it $etter in this for&. It &ust $e ke#t in &ind that !hi"e ducks are ood e #roducers
durin the "ayin and $reedin season they !i"" not "ay any reat nu&$er of es un"ess
they are fed for this #ur#ose. ;or rations used on co&&ercia" duck far&s see Cha#ter IB.
8ater. It is i&#ortant that a #"entifu" su##"y of drinkin !ater $e a%ai"a$"e to the ducks. A
fresh su##"y &ust $e #ro%ided at each feedin ti&e $efore the feed is thro!n to the ducks
as they "ike to eat and drink a"ternate"y !hen feedin. 8here the $reedin ducks ha%e
access to a strea& or #ond of fresh !ater it is not necessary to #ro%ide any other su##"y
of drinkin !ater.
8here !ater is a%ai"a$"e in !hich the ducks can s!i& it is essentia" to see that #ro%ision
is &ade so that the ducks can et in and out of the !ater easi"y. If this is not done they
&ay $eco&e exhausted and una$"e to c"i&$ out or they &ay $eco&e #artia""y cra&#ed
!hen the !ater is %ery co"d !ith the resu"t that they !i"" dro!n. If i%en access to !ater
in !hich they can s!i& durin co"d !eather it is necessary to $e on the "ook=out to see
that the ducks do not freeAe fast to the round !hen they co&e out of the !ater.
5ards. 8here yards are #ro%ided for ducks #ou"try nettin a$out * feet hih is ordinari"y
used. This !i"" confine &ost of the $reeds $ut hiher fences e%en 2 or . feet hih &ust $e
#ro%ided for the $reeds !hich f"y readi"y such as the 6usco%y' Ca""' East India' 6a""ard'
8ood and 6andarin. In so&e cases it is e%en necessary to co%er o%er the to#s of the
yards in order to kee# the $irds fro& f"yin out or to #inion the $irds' that is' to cut off the
outer&ost ?oint of one !in. The nettin used for yards shou"d $e strun on #osts set in
the round and the "o!er ede shou"d $e #eed do!n so that the $irds cannot et under
it.
Care of Es for Hatchin. Duck es for hatchin &ust $e athered each day and shou"d
$e #ut in so&e coo" #"ace to $e he"d unti" they are set. They shou"d $e turned dai"y' the
sa&e as hens> es and the enera" care is exact"y si&i"ar. It does not' ho!e%er' #ay to
kee# duck es as "on $efore settin the& as they s#oi" &ore 9uick"y than hens> es. In
fact' it is $est to set duck es !hen they are not o%er a !eek o"d if this can $e arraned.
Hatchin the Es. The #eriod of incu$ation for duck es ranes fro& *. to *, days for
a"" of the $reeds exce#t the 6usco%y. In this $reed it takes fro& 11 to 1. days for the
es to hatch. Inas&uch as &ost of the co&&on"y ke#t $reeds are not %ery $roody and
therefore do not &ake re"ia$"e hatchers and &others it is necessary to resort either to the
use of chicken hens for this #ur#ose or e"se to uti"iAe incu$ators. Either one of these
&ethods can $e used !ith ood success. 8ith the s&a"" far& f"ock it is %ery co&&on to
uti"iAe hens. The ordinary hen !i"" $e a$"e to co%er ) to (( duck es to ad%antae
de#endin on her siAe and u#on the season of the year. In co"d !eather the s&a""er
nu&$er shou"d $e used rather than the "arer nu&$er. @efore settin the hen she shou"d
$e thorouh"y dusted !ith insect #o!der to free her fro& "ice. Se%era" hens can $e set in
the sa&e roo& $ut they shou"d $e confined on their nests a""o!in the& to co&e off on"y
once a day for feed and !ater. Cracked corn &akes an exce""ent feed for sittin hens. If
desired 6usco%y' Ca""' East India' 6a""ard' 8ood or 6andarin ducks can $e a""o!ed to
&ake their nests and to hatch their es as they are re"ia$"e sitters and ood &others.
After the duck es first #i# there usua""y e"a#ses a "oner #eriod of ti&e $efore the
duck"ins et out of the she"" than is the case !ith chicks. ;or this reason it is !e"" to take
the hens off for feed and !ater !hen the first es are #i##ed returnin the& to the nest
as 9uick"y as #ossi$"e and confinin the& there unti" the hatch is o%er.
Durin the "ast !eek of incu$ation it is desira$"e to s#rink"e the es dai"y !ith !ater
usin 9uite a "i$era" a&ount as duck es see& to re9uire &ore &oisture than hens> es
in order to hatch !e"".
A"" duck es !hich are at a"" $ad"y soi"ed shou"d $e !ashed $efore they are set. 8ashin
does not see& to in?ure their hatchin 9ua"ities. In fact' so&e $reeders #refer to !ash a""
duck es !hether dirty or not' fee"in that this o#ens u# the #ores and causes a $etter
hatch. This $e"ief is $ased u#on the idea that !hen ducks hatch their o!n es under
natura" conditions they ha%e access to !ater in !hich they s!i& and in co&in $ack on
the nest their !et feathers ser%e to !ash the es.
8here an incu$ator is used for hatchin the es are #"aced in the &achine ?ust as hens>
es. ;or the first !eek the te&#erature is ke#t a$out (+* derees and for the rest of the
#eriod is &aintained as c"ose to (+1 derees as #ossi$"e' the $u"$ of the ther&o&eter
$ein on a "e%e" !ith the to#s of the es. 7ften the te&#erature !i"" run u# a "itt"e hiher
than this at hatchin ti&e $ut this does not do any har&. An incu$ator !i"" acco&&odate
fro& four=fifths to fi%e=sixths as &any duck es as it !i"" hens> es.
A$out the fifth or sixth day the duck es are tested and a"" inferti"e and dead er&s
re&o%ed. ;ro& this ti&e on es are turned t!ice a day and usua""y coo"ed once a day
unti" they #i#. A second test &ay $e &ade a$out the fifteenth or sixteenth day !hen any
es !hich ha%e died are re&o%ed. If dead er& es are "eft in the &achines they s#oi"
%ery 9uick"y and cause a stron odor !hich &akes it necessary to re&o%e the&. Durin
the "ast !eek or ten days and in so&e cases for a "oner #eriod than this incu$ator
o#erators su##"y &oisture dai"y to the &achine. This is usua""y #ro%ided $y s#rink"in the
es "i$era""y !ith !ater !hich has $een !ar&ed to a$out the te&#erature of the
&achine. Ho!e%er' if !ar& !ater is not a%ai"a$"e' !ater of ordinary te&#erature &ay $e
used a"thouh it is not !e"" to use extre&e"y co"d !ater. As a ru"e the es $ein to #i#
a$out the t!enty=sixth day. At this ti&e the &achine shou"d $e tiht"y c"osed u# and "eft
so unti" the hatchin is o%er. In case &oisture see&s to $e "ackin and the duck"ins are
ha%in a hard ti&e to et out of the she"" the &achine can $e o#ened and the es
s#rink"ed aain. If there see&s to $e sufficient &oisture' ho!e%er' the &achines shou"d
not $e o#ened or distur$ed. As a ru"e it takes duck"ins fro& */ to /, hours to hatch after
the #i##in first $eins. It is ad%isa$"e to "ea%e the duck"ins in the incu$ator unti" they
are !e"" dried off $efore re&o%in the& to the $rooder. As a ru"e the hatchin !i"" $e
entire"y o%er $y the t!enty=eihth day.
@roodin and Rearin. Duck"ins can $e $rooded if desired $y &eans of chicken hens. In
this case the duck"ins !hich the hen hatches shou"d $e i%en to her and she shou"d $e
confined to so&e kind of a coo# !hich !i"" a""o! the duck"ins to run at "i$erty. If the
hen is i%en her "i$erty she oes too far and takes too &uch exercise for the "itt"e ducks.
8here artificia" $rooders are used any ty#e of $roodin a##aratus can $e uti"iAed !hich is
used !ith success for chickens. It &ust $e re&e&$ered' ho!e%er' that duck"ins do not
re9uire as hih a deree of heat as do $a$y chicks and shou"d $e started off at a
te&#erature of a$out )+ derees under the ho%er. This can $e reduced rather ra#id"y unti"
it is do!n to ,+ at a$out * !eeks of ae. The "enth of ti&e that the duck"ins re9uire
heat after this de#ends u#on the season and the !eather. E%en in fair"y coo" !eather they
do not need any heat after they are 2 or . !eeks o"d.
It is necessary to kee# the $rooders c"ean and in order to do this they &ust $e c"eaned out
fre9uent"y and ne! "itter su##"ied. 8hi"e the duck"ins are s&a"" the $rooders shou"d $e
c"eaned at "east e%ery other day and as they et "arer' c"eanin once a !eek !ith the
addition of fresh "itter $et!een ti&es !i"" $e sufficient.
;eedin the Duck"ins. Duck"ins do not need to $e fed unti" they are fro& */ to 1.
hours o"d. At this ti&e they &ay $e i%en a &ixture co&#osed of e9ua" #arts $y &easure
of ro""ed oats and $read cru&$s !ith 13 of shar# sand &ixed in the feed. This &ay $e
i%en the& fi%e ti&es dai"y a"thouh so&e duck raisers feed on"y 1 ti&es dai"y fro& the
start. A$out the third day this feed is chaned to e9ua" #arts of $read' ro""ed oats' $ran and
corn &ea". After the se%enth day the ration &ay consist of 1 #arts $ran' ( #art each of
"o!=rade !heat f"our and corn &ea"' (+3 reen feed' 23 $eef scra# !ith a$out 13 of
sand &ixed in.
The duck"ins shou"d $e fed four ti&es dai"y after the se%enth day unti" they are t!o or
three !eeks o"d. After that ti&e they need $e fed on"y three ti&es dai"y' &ornin' noon
and niht. The sand &ay $e i%en to the duck"ins either $y &ixin it in the &ash or $y
feedin it in a ho##er !here they can he"# the&se"%es. The &ash feed !hich is #re#ared
for the duck"ins is &ixed !ith !ater unti" it has a consistency a "itt"e !etter than
cru&$"y $ut not exact"y sticky. S"o##y feed shou"d ne%er $e used. As the duck"ins ro!
o"der the a&ount of $eef scra# can $e increased unti" it consists of (23 of the ration $y
the end of the third !eek. The #ro#ortion of corn &ea" can "ike!ise $e increased and
si&u"taneous"y the a&ount of $ran decreased unti" the duck"ins are on a fattenin ration.
Un"ess they ha%e a #"entifu" su##"y of reen feed in the yards to !hich they ha%e access it
is necessary to #ro%ide this to the extent of a$out (+3 of the feed and it shou"d consist of
tender reen stuff rather fine"y cho##ed and &ixed in !ith the &ash.
A$out * !eeks $efore the duck"ins are to $e &arketed they shou"d $e #ut on a ration
consistin of three #arts $y !eiht of corn &ea"' t!o #arts "o!=rade f"our or &idd"ins'
one #art $ran' one=ha"f #art $eef scra#' (+3 reen feed and a$out 13 oyster she"" or sand.
This &ash is fed three ti&es dai"y. Another ration !hich can $e used for fattenin
#ur#oses consists of 1 #arts corn &ea"' ( #art "o!=rade !heat f"our' ( #art $ran' 23 $eef
scra# and 13 oyster she"" !ith reen feed and rit in addition.
8here fish is a%ai"a$"e it can $e su$stituted for the $eef scra# $ut on &ost far&s this is
i&#ractica". The fish !here fed is $oi"ed and &ixed in the &ash. Ho!e%er' no fish shou"d
$e fed u# to !ithin * !eeks $efore the ducks are ki""ed as there is daner of i%in a fishy
taste to the carcass. ;or additiona" infor&ation as to feedin &ethods used on co&&ercia"
duck far&s !hich cou"d $e uti"iAed to ad%antae for the far& f"ocks' see Cha#ter BI.
@irds !hich are to $e reser%ed for $reeders shou"d $e se"ected out and taken a!ay fro&
the duck"ins !hich are to $e fattened. These $reedin $irds shou"d $e carried a"on on
the ration !hich they ha%e $een recei%in unti" a$out Dece&$er ( !hen they shou"d $e
#ut on a "ayin ration.
It is %ery necessary to see that the duck"ins ha%e a #"entifu" su##"y of drinkin !ater. It
is es#ecia""y i&#ortant to rene! this su##"y ?ust $efore the duck"ins are fed so that they
!i"" ha%e a&#"e !ater !hi"e they are consu&in their feed. The !ater shou"d $e i%en in
dishes dee# enouh so that the ducks can i&&erse their entire $i"" as this ena$"es the& to
!ash the sand out of their nostri"s.
8ater for Duck"ins. In addition to the drinkin !ater #ro%ided duck raisers so&eti&es
a""o! the ro!in duck"ins access to !ater in !hich they can s!i&. If it is desired to
fatten the duck"ins 9uick"y and turn the& off on the &arket as reen ducks &any raisers
do not consider this ad%isa$"e as it induces the duck"ins to take &ore exercise and &akes
it &ore difficu"t to fatten the&. Ho!e%er' access to !ater in !hich they can s!i& &akes
it unnecessary to #ro%ide any other su##"y of drinkin !ater and for this reason "essens
the !ork considera$"y. Un"ess it is easy for the duck"ins to et in and out of the !ater
there is daner of so&e of the& dro!nin as they are "ike"y to et tired and una$"e to
c"i&$ out. Hitt"e duck"ins a""o!ed access to %ery co"d !ater are su$?ect to cra&# and
&ay $e dro!ned as a resu"t.
Distinuishin the Sexes. It is difficu"t to distinuish the sexes of ro!in ducks unti"
they $ein to reach &aturity. There is' ho!e%er' a difference in their a##earance. The
drakes are coarser or thicker and &ore &ascu"ine in a##earance sho!in this es#ecia""y
a$out the head and neck. A"so as they secure their &ature #"u&ae the drake sho!s
cur"ed feathers on to# of the tai" !hich are often referred to as sex feathers. In addition'
the %oice of the duck is harsher and coarser than that of the drake.
6arketin the Ducks. 6ost of the ducks #roduced on far&s are &arketed a"i%e. This is
$ecause the far&er has no s#ecia" &arket and he does not find that it #ays hi& to dress
and shi# the ducks !ith the chance that they &iht s#oi". In fact' &ost of the far& raised
ducks are not turned off as reen ducks at (+ to (* !eeks as is done on the co&&ercia"
duck #"ants $ut are he"d unti" fa"" and then so"d as s#rin ducks. They !i"" !eih
so&e!hat &ore at that ti&e $ut as a ru"e the #rice recei%ed #er #ound !i"" $e "o!er than
that o$tained for reen ducks durin the s#rin and su&&er. 8here there is a s#ecia"
de&and for duck"ins !hich the far&er can su##"y it !i"" #ay hi& to dress and de"i%er the
ducks. If it is desired to dress the ducks' the directions i%en under Cha#ter BII can $e
&odified to suit the far&er>s needs. The soft $ody feathers shou"d $e sa%ed in accordance
!ith the directions i%en on #ae (+.' as they can $e used at ho&e in &akin #i""o!s or
can $e so"d.
Such es as are #roduced in sur#"us &ay either $e uti"iAed on the ho&e ta$"e or sent to
&arket. As a ru"e duck es are not in reat de&and exce#t at certain seasons such as at
Easter and durin the Ie!ish ho"idays in the s#rin and fa"" !hen they $rin so&e!hat
hiher #rices than hens> es. The "arer siAe of duck es' ho!e%er' &akes the& fa%ored
$y $akers and they can usua""y $e so"d at any ti&e in a city of any siAe at #rices as ood
as those recei%ed for hens> es.
Es for &arket can $e #acked in the ordinary 1+=doAen hen e cases $y usin s#ecia"
fi""ers !hich ho"d *2 es instead of 1. as in the case of hens> es. See #ae ((). A
far&er !ith a s&a"" f"ock of ducks !i"" usua""y not ha%e es enouh to fi"" a case
fre9uent"y and for this reason he usua""y finds it &ore con%enient to &arket the fe! es
he has $y takin the& into to!n in a $asket.
Disease and Insect Pests. Ducks are %ery "itt"e trou$"ed $y insect #ests' nor are they
reat"y trou$"ed $y diseases. The usua" difficu"ties encountered a"on this "ine are those
discussed under this head in Cha#ter BI. Hosses are often ex#erienced as the resu"t of
#redatory ani&a"s. Rats !i"" cause a reat a&ount of ha%oc a&on the youn ducks if
they are a$"e to et at the&. A sin"e niht>s !ork on the #art of one rat &ay #ractica""y
c"ean out a s&a"" f"ock of duck"ins. It is necessary to &ake sure that the duck"ins are
shut in at niht so that rats cannot et at the&. _