Page:Ducks- and how to make them pay (IA cu31924003102971).pdf/41

Rh with the water. If they do not eat it all, the rats and mice cannot get at it when put in water, and there is no waste whatever, besides which the ducks enjoy it so much better; but mine are usually fed somewhere about four in the afternoon during the winter months. Ducks will lay more eggs if they are only allowed to run about a part of the day, and shut up the other part in their house or covered run. So, when people only keep two or three pens of ducks, one pond will really do for all of them, if they are let out in turns. Their beds, or sleeping places, should be kept very clean, and as dry as possible. Many people litter their house with straw, but peat moss is a very good thing, or fine shavings will do; farmers should use rough chaff. I like moss peat better than straw, only where it is used no water must be given inside the house; if so, it soon becomes wet and sour, and stains the white feathers of the ducks. Where it can be kept dry and free from the ducks' water, they do very well on it indeed, and keep much sweeter and cleaner than on straw. The peat moss is a great deal less trouble also. When the hot weather sets in, the stock ducks ought not to have much meat; if so, it causes them to shed their feathers too early, and they will frequently stop laying during the middle of June. They may have a good supply up to about the middle of May. Those who have prize Aylesbury ducks, which they intend for showing purposes, should avoid giving them maize, as that often gives a yellow cast to their plumage. It is well to give Pekins maize as it helps their plumage.

Ducks do not require any elaborate house. Those who