Page:Ducks- and how to make them pay (IA cu31924003102971).pdf/51

Rh if the duckling is dead the skin begins to turn dark in the course of two hours. In many cases ducklings cannot break the skin begins is course of two hours. In many cases ducklings cannot break their shells to liberate themselves. If the beak lies a little on the slant, that is, too near either end of the egg, as this is oval, when they peck at the shell their beak slides, and if the shell is not opened they die in that state. Some duck breeders will have noticed that when they have opened the eggs they have often found ducklings fully developed in the shells, but quite dead, and they wonder what can be the cause; but what we have stated is the principal cause for this. When a small hole has been made in the egg it is well to turn it round to ascertain where the beak lies; it can usually be seen moving about an inch, or an inch and a quarter from the large end of the egg. If the operator can find the position of the beak, he should draw a pencil line from the incision which is made to where he thinks the beak is, then put the thumb across the pencil mark and hold it down firmly, make a small incision with a penknife just where he fancies the beak is. If the egg is not held firmly, it will crack from the hole that was first made in the end, which often bleeds the duckling to death, so great care should be taken. This is one advantage of having an incubator, as all cracked eggs can be put in and they will hatch out. Duck eggs take one week longer to hatch than hens' eggs, namely, 28 days. Occasionally one may hatch out on the 26th day, and frequently they will come out on the 27th day. Muscovies take 34 or 35 days to hatch out. This is a most remarkable thing. When the Muscovy drake is crossed with the