THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19879, 24 February 1928, Page 17

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

PROFIT IN DUCK-RAISING.

BIRDS FOR THE TABLE.

PEKIN THE BEST VARIETY.

BY G.H. There is nothing in the poultry world so noticeable at the moment as the increasing attention that' is being given to ducks. Unfortunately, however, the duckers are putting all their eggs into one basket, or in other- words, they seem to have caught from some of the utility lien men the idea that all that matters in poultrydom is eggs. We hear people talking about utility ducks, as others do about utility hens and all they moan in either case is the layiufj of eggs, or the capacity ior so doing. This is wrong. We all know that there is money in eggs, but eggs are not, and should not be allowed to read utility every time and all the time. Eggs have their place, and so has meat, and 'ho bird that produces meat is quite ts much deserving to be known as a utility birc> as one that produces eggs. Value ol the Pekin. Indian Runners, Khaki-Campbells, and Orpingtons, are all right in their way, and I have nothing to say against them, but there is quite as much money in raising ducks for the table as there is in raising them to lay eggs. When one talks about duck meat, or, in other words, ducklings, most people at once think and talk Aylesbury. The Aylesbury is good, and so is the Rouen, but as a real money maker there is another duck which has never yet received the credit due to it, and that is the Pekin. Too often the credit which should be given to the Tekin is given to the Aylesbury. Over and over again at our small country shows does one see ducks entered by the' local farmers as Aylesbury, which are far more Pekin than Aylesbury. There is a very prevalent idea that every white duck is an Aylesbury. Pekin ducks are easy to rear, and they are .very profitable. They develop and mature so quickly that they can often be p at on the market when ton weeks old. would here say that those who rear ducklings for table should always market them before they are thirteen weeks old. If they are kept longer than that the proht is appreciably smaller than when all the ducklings are sent to market before they are twelve weeks old. One great advantage that Pekins have over other ducks is their wonderful vigour. Rarely is a Pekin hatched that is not reared. I have heard it said many times that a Pekin hatched is a Pekin raised. While I do not go quite as far as this I can say that, if the birds are given proper care and attention during the first fortnight of their lives there are few casualties. If the right sort of breeding stock is used, and the ducklings are properly fed, they will weigh, when ten weeks old, from 41b. Boz. to 51b. Thus, I say they are real money-makers. Some Precautions. Ducks of all breeds are very sensitive creatures, and do not like their quarters to be' invaded by strangers. Neither do they like to bp moved from one run to another. In either case it means a reduced egg output. Those who have had the management of duck laying competitions have found that, it does not pay to let visitors inspect the duck runs. Therefore, those who wish to make money from ducks should not change their houses, or their feeding. Keep strangers away from tho breeding pons, and avoid everything else that is likely to cause a disturbance. It is not absolutely necessary that Pekins should have water for swimming purposes. Yet it must be remembered that where a swimming pool or stream is provided the eggs are generally more fertile, and the ducklings more rearable. This applies to the breeding stock, but not to the ducklings that are intended Tor market. The latter should have plenty of water to drink, but none in which to swim. They will not grow so fast, nor fatten so readily, and their meat will not be so tender if they are allowed to swim. Attention and Feeding. The houses for the ducklings need to be large and airy, and the floors should be covered with straw, and a good grass run should be attached to each house. It is a mistake to keep the ducklings in small damp coops. Let them have dry houses and they will grow all the quicker. Ducklings that are to be reared for the table may be hatched in incubators, and reai-ed in foster-mothers, or under broody hens. If largo numbers are raised artificial means must be used in preference to ' natural, as the work of attendfng to a large number of clutches of young ducklings would be too great, and would render the cost of raising too expensive. The first time that ducklings are fed they should not be given food. This sounds somewhat Irish, but it is nevertheless correct. The first meal, which should be from 24 to 36 hours aftor hatching, should be very fine, sharp sand and lukewarm water. Many failures in the rearing of young ducklings are attributable to the fact that solid food has been given to them for their first meal. Sand puts the digestive organs into good working order and assists in the cleaning of the stomach, so that when the first food is fed to them proper digestion begins at once. , , A good feed for young ducklings is a mash composed of two parts bran, one part sharps, one part ground oats, one part maize meal, and the tenth of a part of fine sand. This mash should be mixed to a crumbly state, and should be fed either in troughs or on boards. Ducklings should nover be fed on the bare ground. The troughs, or boards, must be kept sweet and clean, by being scrubbed at least once every day. It is a good plan to have a double set of boards or troughs, taking out the dirty ones each morning. Care Till Killing Time. Tho ducklings should bo fed six times a day for the first fortnight, and five times daily the second fortnight After that they should be fed not less than four times, but if the five times a day is kept up for six weeks the results will repay the extra attention. After the first three weeks a little meat meal may be added to the mash. From six weeks onwards four times a day is sufficient to feed. Tho mash should have just a slight sprinkling of salt and occasionally a little powdered charcoal may be added, about a teaspoonful for each score of ducks per day. From six weeks onwards, until they are killed at ten weeks, one part of barley meal may be added to tho mash mentioned above, and the mash may be mixed with separated milk instead of water The mash may be varied by adding boiled potatoes now and again to the extent of one part of the bulk of the mash. Boiled or steamed oats and wheat may also be given as one meal during the da v. , If they are not on a good grass ran then some chopped green food o some kind should be given them once a day. Cabbage, lettuce, and green clover are each good. Ducklings and chickens should never be fed together. It must not be forgotten that ducks should have drinking-water near at, hand at feeding time, so that they can clean their bills. Clean, coarse sand, and small coal cinders should also be given in boxes. Another point. Never leave ducklings without shade in the summer time*