Page:Ducks- and how to make them pay (IA cu31924003102971).pdf/35

Rh hard pieces than can be helped which would be likely to do them mischief. But the granulated meat is all prepared and ground up fine. No harm can come to the ducks from it, as it is properly ground up, as it has to pass through sieves to prevent the large pieces getting through before it is sold to the public. The advantage of the granulated meat is that it does not require boiling, but merely boiling water poured over it, which saves time and labour, both the last named meat and greaves, when used, should be mixed up with the meal.

Lights and liver boiled, and also the intestines of a sheep or bullock cleaned and boiled are very good for ducks. This kind of thing should be put through an old sausage-machine, when a large number of ducks are kept. Where there are only a few kept an old worn-out carving-knife should be used—or any old long knife will do—to cut it up when it is placed on a meat-board. This can either be given alone or mixed with the meal; but I prefer the latter, unless one has a very large quantity of it. The intestines can be got at a very low price at a butcher's, or from a butcher's-man. They will almost give them away to get rid of them. Many people feed their ducks on horse-flesh; but I very much object to this system, as horses die from all manner of diseases, and when the flesh is bought up those who sell it are not able to guarantee that the horse or horses did not die of some infectious disease—viz., blood poisoning, which is frequently the cause, or poll-evil, or glanders. Horses die of any of these diseases, and when the meat is given to ducks it gives them diarrhœa very