DUCKS VERSUS HENS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 157, 5 July 1935, Page 14

DUCKS VERSUS HENS.

WHICH MORE PROFITABLE 7 Ducks do better on free range than con lined to runs, and also much better in small (locks than where large numbers are run together. Where extensive free range *s available, as on a dairy farm, they are often found to be an even better prooosition Tor the consumption of curd than arc liens. J)ucks require considerably less capital outlay than do hens. If they have a sheltered spot in which to sleep, they j can be kept! without houses at all. Bettor winter production will result if shelters or low sheds are used, but those need only be three feet high at most and, since the birds will never wish to be in them during the day, can bo quite small for the number of birds—say one square foot of floor space each. * It is only the most outstanding hen of breeding quality that should survive her second season on the farm, but a good duck will continue to lay almost as many eggs up to her fourth and fifth season, as she accomplishes in her Itrst. This saves much in the way of replacement costs. Indeed, in the north, the over year ducks lay so well in the autumn that it is only necessary to hatch every second or third year. Ducks often, if well managed, do not take more than a month to moult. On the other hand, they are such temperamental creatures that, if frightened, or if any change is made in their regime, the}' are capable of moulting at any season and a number of times in the same year. There is certainly some prejudice against duck eggs to be combated, but prices are rarely more than one penny per dozen below that of hen eggs. In the cities they are often the same price. That the larger and richer eggs should ever be less seems an injustice, but is sini'ily a matter of the preference of the public. The lower price is probably more than compensated for on the farm by the better foraging abilities of the light' breed ducks, where they are allowed really good range. Growing ducklings eat far more than chicks, but the ducks do come into production earlier than pullets, and drakes fatten for table in just half the time that cockerels take. It is as well to realise that ducke are nervous as well as temperamental, and that some people do much better with them than do others.