Poultry Rotes

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 177, 28 July 1928, Page 22 (Supplement)

Poultry Rotes

DUCK FARMING AS A PAYING PROPOSITION.

It is surprising that there arc not more poultry men interested in duck farming. If ducks can be given a free range a large flock can be kept without a great deal of labour. Ducks do not require the same close attention as fowls. The birds arc almost immune from disease, and if housed in a good shed are not affected by colds which are Hie bug-bear of the poultryman.

Although specially fond of water, ducks must have dry sleeping accommodation, otherwise the How of eggs will be seriously affected. Ducks arc active foragers, being of a very restless disposition. If they have a ful range they -will forage for themselves until the last of daylight. In this way they obtain much of their food themselves, unzl the food being natural is of great benefit to them.

Ducks are big eaters, and when they are in full lay they should be encouraged to cat all the mash that is pos-

sible. This mash feed should be given them near their sleeping quarters at a certain hour each night. The birds will soon know to return home at that hour. They will eat their fill and thcr can be herded into their sleeping quarters. Thcv bccm to have a st ton;

desire to sleep in the open even in the severset weather. Ducks can even sleep out in the snow and suffer no ill effects. They must be boused each night, so that, their eggs can be collected, otherwise they will lay their eggs all over the ground, just wherever they have been sitting. Ducks should, be kept closed up un til about 9 or 9.30 a.in., and by that time the juujority of the flock will have laid. Here again the ducks soon get an idea of when to expect their liberty, and the excitement caused by their imprisonment seems to make them .lay so that they can have the day clear to themselves. The Best Breeds. In selecting breeds much depends on the requirements of a district. Where tabic ducklings are in demand, then a dual purpose breed is desirable, such as the Khaki, Campbell, Buff Orpington, Aylesbury, or Magpie. Where eggs arc omy wanted then there is nothing to beat the Indian Runner. There are excellent strains of both whites and fawns- Of the heavy breeds the Buff Orpington is perhaps lhe most suitable, for they are very quick growers and lay at a very early age. Aylesbury, however, can beat all varieties if kept under proper conditions, and if of the right strain. These should not be too massive and sl.ullg be secured from farmers where they have been kept for production and uoi fur exhibition purposes. The exhibition Aylesbury is a verv ma,;si\v bird, but as a r ule docs n a. Ity a large number of eggs in the season. The Aylesbury lays the largest egg of all the duck fa ujjy. The Khaki Campbell, although net producing a large sized egg. can Jay a very big number in the year. Many Khakr Campbells under good conditions have been known to lay two eggs a day repeatedly. Food plays a big part in the egg production of ducks.