Page:Ducks- and how to make them pay (IA cu31924003102971).pdf/23



Ducks pay well—Stock ducks water or no water—Selection for Show Birds—Freaks of nature—Ducks in the garden and fields—Ducks as vermin destroyers.

UCKS in many cases pay their way better than fowls, and especially when they are only reared for the table, as they grow so quickly and can be reared without water to swim in. Some of my readers may ask, "How about stock ducks? Will they breed without water?" Yes; ducks' eggs will be fertile if the stock birds are never allowed to go in the water at all; but when they are once allowed to go into the water, and then taken away from it, the eggs may not be quite so fertile for a time, as the water is the natural place for ducks to cohabit. It is not much trouble to make a little duck-pond, or even a tub will do. I do not like to see stock ducks run about unless they have a place to go to wash themselves, as they always will dabble about in so much dirt if they can get at it. If they have a place to wash in, be it ever so small, they keep themselves nice and