POULTRY-KEEPING.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 54, Issue 6, 21 June 1937, Page 374

POULTRY-KEEPING.

Duck-keeping.

It is generally agreed that most of our domestic ducks have descended from the wild or Mallard duck. The most.popular breeds Tn this country at the present time are the Indian Runner, Khaki Campbell, and Pekin. Results from our local egg-laying competitions.indicate That good strains of Indian Runners and Khaki Campbells are probably The greatest eggproducers of all species of bird life. . History tells us that Indian Runners were first , introduced into England from India about 1840, and owing to their great egg-producing qualities they soon established a local reputation and • gradually spread to other countries. The “ New-Zealand Utility .Standard ” sets down the standard weight of Indian-Runners as follows : Drakes over twelve months, 51b. to 6|lb.; ducks over twelve months, 4 lb. to 5 -J-lb. The chief

characteristics of the 'Runners are their peculiar erect penguin-like carriage and active habits. They were termed “ 'lndian Runners ”on account of their peculiar running gait so distinctive from the “ waddle ” of other breeds. - The Khaki Campbell is a much more recent creation, having been produced in England by a Mrs. Campbell. The Standard sets down the weights for Khaki Campbells as—Drakes over twelve months, 7 lb. to 8J lb.; ducks over -twelve -months, 6 lb. to lb. They are a heavier bird than the Runner, and are regarded as more of a dual-purpose breed. • The Pekins, it is claimed, were first imported into England-and America from Pekin about 1873. They differ from other breeds in the shape of the body, having a singular turned-up carriage of the tail, the type suggesting that of ah Indian canoe. The Standard weights -Drakes over twelve months, 81b' to q j lb. ; ducks over twelve months, 7 lb. to 8| lb. The Pekins, which are more-or-less non-sitters, are well adapted for fattening in confinement, their flesh is very succulent, and if bred systematically for egg-production they prove very prolific layers. ! Where suitable environment is available, quite a few people in New Zealand could add to their incomes by keeping a flock of well-bred ducks. While small flocks of ducks have been kept profitably in confined runs, and even when run with hens’ a few ducks have at times given good results, it is not a good plan to run ducks and fowls together, for' if this is done it is almost impossible to keep the yards, especially round the drinking-vessels, in a sanitary condition. Hens and ducks should have separate yards; ’ ! ' For egg-production a good free range is ideal, and on many farms where a suitable range is available a flock of good ducks should prove ! a 1 good investment. Ducks do well in an orchard, where they destroy many slugs and insects, and benefit from the shade from the trees. • ; On an- ideal free range some flocks of ducks are given only one good feed a day during certain months of the year (from about September to January), and that is 'given in the evening in order to encourage them to return. home to their yards. /As ducks lay their eggs at night or early in the morning they should .be kept in their yards till 9. or 10 o'clock in the morning, otherwise many eggs are likely to be lost. • . , . While a flock of ducks can be kept profitably if suitable environment is available, it is advisable to bear in mind that duck-farming on a large scale is a highly specialized business, which calls for considerable practical experience. The person wishing to undertake duck-culture would be wise to start in a small way, and if the work, is found agreeable and a payable market is available for all produce to gradually expand the work as knowledge grows. . Housing and Yards. Ducks do not require expensive houses ; in fact, in many parts of New Zealand no houses are needed, provided the birds have shelter from cold winds, bad weather, and shade from the hot sun. Although they like to forage in damp places ducks should have a dry camping-ground, and if sheds or shelters are erected and the birds shut in at night the essentials to keep in mind are plenty of fresh air, dry floors, and protection against rats. It is advisable to provide plenty of open space, and to cover the front of the house with wire netting. Each duck should be allowed at least 6 square feet of floor-space.' It is well to have space enough for two yards, even if the yard is only used at night, 'for ducks soon taint- a small yard. A netting fence, 3 ft. high, serves to keep ducks enclosed, and if stakes are placed just far enough apart to hold the netting, such fences can be shifted easily when the ground gets stale. ■ As ducks are inclined to be nervous and timid, it is advisable to select a quiet secluded place for their yards. For instance, cases have come under

notice where motor-car lights have disturbed ducks at night, with the result that they gave very poor returns. In order to get the best results they must have quietness, especially ,at night. Feeding. As ducks have no crops, like fowls, the food passes directly to the gizzard. Therefore food best suited for ducks is that which is. soft and easily digested. Another point to bear in mind when feeding ducks is that their digestive organs.work quickly, and the food they eat has a big influence on the flavour of their eggs. For this reason care should be taken to see that the food they eat is fresh and free from any strong flavour. If care is taken regarding this matter and the eggs are collected early in the morning and not left in the sun or in muddy yards, there would be much less prejudice against the strong flavour of duck-eggs. While ducks fed for egg-production should be well provided for, care must be taken to see that no feed is left to get sour, and it is necessary that they should be fed in troughs or shallow boxes, A good style of duck-feeding trough is shown on page 78 of this Department’s publication “ Utility Poultry-keeping.” Feeding Laying Ducks. Most duck-keepers have their own particular system of feeding, and know from experience that it is very unwise to make any change, especially when ducks are in profit. When ducks have a good range where plenty of animal food and succulent green food is available, they can be given a light feed in the morning before being let out, and. a good full feed at night. A suitable plain mixture may consist of two measures of pollard, one measure of bran, and from 5 per cent, to 10 per cent, of meat-meal, according to the season of the year, more animal food to be given during the autumn and winter. The mixture should be given in a crumbly state. . Where ducks are more ■or less confined, it should be remembered that their food, if on a good free range, consists largely of worms, grubs, insects, and succulent green food, so in order to get the best production from ducks in confinement their food must consist largely of succulent greens and animal food. . . A suitable mixture for ducks kept in small yards may consist of 2 measures pollard, 1 measure bran, 1 measure finely cut green or boiled vegetables, and 1 measure of meat-meal, the whole mixed with water or. skim-milk into a crumbly state. A regular supply of succulent green food should also be given each day. .. Grit and Oyster-shell. Grit and oyster-shell are even more important for ducks than hens, and a liberal supply of both these essentials should be always within reach of the birds. Even ducks on free range should have a box of grit placed near their camping-grounds or shelters. Water for Ducks. Though it is not essential for such breeds as Runners or Khaki Campbells to have water to swim in, better fertility is obtained if they have a pond available. Moreover, ducks consume more water than any other birds, and a supply should be before them at all times. The water-vessels for ducks should be deep enough to enable them to cover their heads and wash their eyes and nostrils when drinking.

Each year many young ducklings are lost with staggers and apoplexy, because a good supply of drinking-water is not constantly before them.

If it is found that the water receptacles are empty when one goes to feed young ducklings, it is advisable to give them a drink first and delay the feeding till after they have had a drink. Further notes on duck-keeping will be published in next issue.

—C. J. C. Cussen,

Chief Poultry Instructor, Wellington.