DUCKLINGS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7450, 26 May 1911, Page 2

DUCKLINGS

Place tho ducklings in a box as soon as hatched and keep in a warm place until all are out, or rather, until each separate hatch is finished. • If tho ducklings are allowed to remain long in the nest, they get very lively and thus make the hen restless. And if sh© does not leave the nest before tho hatch is finished she is apt to shift around and kill some of tho young ducks. It is a very good plan to hatch ducklings with incubators. They should be -removed from the machine soon after hatching, elso they will suffer, as the air is very warm and dry in the egg chamber. Suitable houses (not coops) should be provided before the ducklings hatchseveral small houses well and closely built. Plenty of clean straw or litter sliould bo used as floor covering and it should be renewed often. If tho floors become damp, use Urn© or coal ashes to take up the moisture; then remove most cf it before putting in fresh bedding. Ducklings should have plenty of rang© after they get a start. The first feed should be given when they are about twenty-four hour's old. Never allow yomiguducks or any other young fowl for that matter to ©at food which lias become sour or fomented. It will sometimes cause convulsions. As tho ducklings grow older, their feed should be varied. The fowl should never bo mado ©loppy; just moist enough to cling together. When the ducks are being forced for market skim-milk should bo used to moisten tho feed; but milk should never be given as a drink. Feed young ducks from four to six times a dav, the first feed being given about daylight and tho last just before dark.