Page:Ducks- and how to make them pay (IA cu31924003102971).pdf/80

62 money on the drake, because every duckling is related to him. It does not matter if the ducks are a little smaller for breeding from, if the drake is a good-sized one. When Aylesbury ducks are bred to such a size they are seldom good layers. It is not often one finds a large duck an extraordinary layer, therefore it is better to get the size from the drake. Those wishing to go in for expensive Aylesbury ducks I should recommend to pay from £4 to £10, according to quality, for a good pen of Aylesburies. Three good ducks and one good drake from the best blood ought to be bought for about £5 5s. There are, of course, special ones worth considerably more, but it is only those who are experienced who should be tempted to give more than £5 5s. for a pen of good ducks. Sometimes they will run up to £10 each when they are really extraordinary, but I do not recommend the novice to pay such a long price for what he does not thoroughly understand; if he does he will find his balance sheet on the wrong side at the end of the year. A good-bred Aylesbury duck should have a thin neck and a long head and bill, and the plumage perfectly white, legs of an orange colour. It is well for those who think of going in for exhibition ducks to go to as many of the poultry shows as possible; then they get an idea of what they ought to be like, only of course those at the shows are fed up to such an enormous size for the purpose. In many cases they are but little use for breeding purposes after they have been shown for a season. If a good Aylesbury stock duck is bought from an exhibitor it should be purchased at the first or second show it is sent