DUCK FARMING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17579, 24 May 1919, Page 7

DUCK FARMING

HOW TO REAR THEM,

(By Expert.)

Boy a sitting from a reliable breeder. If you have no broody ben, buy one dozen one-Jay-old di:f kiings. You may ask : "Why so few ? These few remarks are written for beginners—that is why.

Do not iVed ducklings till they lire over 4^ hours old. For next three days p,ivo them oatmeal soaked in water. After ducklings are live days old give a mash made up of: —To one part scalded bran ad:l two parts pollard; mix thoroughly till mash is crumbly. When scalding bran do not use too much boiling water, or your mash will be too wet. This mash may be continued till the ducklings are fully fledged. After ducklings nre two weekn old si mash of one cart bran, one part maize meal, one

part chopped greens, and one part pollard can be fed to the young birds in place of the first mentioned. From the time ducklings are hatched keep a supply of grit and fresh water in front of them. Drinking basin must be deep enough to immerse beak and head, biit they must not be allowed to get their bodies wet.

Always keep the ducklings' run shaded, especially the drinking water and food. If. is necessary to give ducklings meat or meat meal." If cooked minced meat is not available, mix meat-moal with each mash (one tablespoonful to each 12 birds). Sulphur and powdered charcoal must also be mixed with tho mash about three times per week. One tea spoonful of each for every twelve birds on alternate days is a good method.

If you want to rear ducklings: Don't crowd them. Don't give them stale mash. Don't forget that they must have shade.

Don't let the sun shine on their heads or drinking water. Don't let their bodies get wet until they are fuliy fledged.

Don't let the grit supply run out. Don't forget that they must have meat and green foods. If you remember these don'ts you will have prime ducklings before they are ten weeks old, and they will pay you well for your trouble.