Page:Ducks- and how to make them pay (IA cu31924003102971).pdf/44

30 duck-house for a drake and four ducks, or two drakes and eight ducks, for from 30s. to 50s., and they run up to £3 3s.; then a small run can easily be attached to the duck-house. If ducks are allowed to have their own way they like to sleep either on the pond or just on the edge of the pond. This does not hurt them in the least, because they are very hardy, but if they are housed, and kept from the cold winds and frosts, and are kept very dry in the house, either on peat moss, or clean straw, they will commence laying earlier in the winter. This is a most important thing. When the hot weather comes, it is always well to leave the door of the ducks' house open, so that they can either sleep in their little outer yard or inside. As soon as the very warm weather sets in, they will often begin to shed their feathers a month or two earlier than they ought, if they are kept too warm. While doing this, of course, they stop laying, which is a great loss to the owner. Jeyes' Disinfectant Powder or "Sanitas" are two of the finest things I have ever used. When there is a faint smell arising in the runs or houses it should be sprinkled about. Jeyes' Disinfectants or "Sanitas" are very valuable, as they help to prevent contagious diseases from spreading if put in the water. Should there be any smell arising from the duck ponds, a little of the liquid should be put in at once and it will take all the offensive smell away. No duck or poultry keeper should be without one of these disinfectants, as a preventive is better than a cure.