WHY NOT MORE DUCKS?

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1934, Page 21

WHY NOT MORE DUCKS?

It is not commonly known that a duck's useful life is three times as long as that of a hen. Certainly young ducks must be hatched every November if a high autumn egg production is required, but a fifth-year duck will lay as well as a second-year duck. The high mortality-rate in rearing chicks, and in the pullet flock, requires ex-

planation, and yet ducks are not nearIly so susceptible to diseases; and tho losses during brooding can be as low as 1 per cent. The old dislike for duck eggs is being overcome gradually as the public realise tho extra size of the duck egg. Again, in the old days, ducks were not properly fed and sometimes their eggs were a bit tasty. But today large flocks of ducks are kept for commercial egg-production, particularly in the Auckland Proviuo". Certainly they are messy things, but the overhead charges on a flock . of 1000 ducks are less than half on the same number of fowls, as no expensive sheds are required and quite a low fence will separate the'different pens. Their average egg production is about 50' eggs per annum above that of the best fowls, and they will consume any amount of home-grown green food, thus reducing the feed bill. Swimming water is not desirable for laying ducks, though the occasional bath Is appreciated. They should have some shelter from cold winds, and their sleeping yards should be small, with a good slope to take off surface water and prevent bogging. Regular watering demands a pipe line to most pens, and they must be kept out of stock water holes. The profit from the surplus males is higher than from cockerels, as the drakelets can be picked out at birth if desired and destroyed, though there is a profit in rearing the early ones and selling them just at the right moment. The incubation of duck eggs under artificial conditions presents no difficulties, whilst the ducklings are so very easily reared. One breeder uses broody hens as foster mothers for rearing purposes, placing six hens to every hundred ducklings, and he seldom loses any. They are housed at night, since rats are very fond of young ducks, and the bedding of hay is kept perfectly dry. Ample drinking water must be provided, as the ducklings not only drink and waste a lot, but th,ey must be able to wash out their bills and heads thoroughly several times a day. If a duckling is allowed to become too thirsty, and then drinks a lot of cold water, cramp will result, often followed by sudden death. Should the water supply fail, give a light feed of wet mash, and allow them just a little warm water to drink, repeating in an hour's time. Of all breeds of ducks the KhakiCampbell seems to give most common satisfaction. They are quiet, wonderful layers, good foragers, and for a laying bresd possess a good carcass. The Runners are next favourites, whilst the Pekins are a table fowl de luxe, with some strains giving excellent egg production as well. Combined with dairy or sheep farming, duck keeping is a most profitable sideline, and far more ducks could be kept in this district. When laid, the eggs are coated with a scaling of almost air-proof fluid which hardens immediately. In washing the eggs this coating is removed, and the keeping qualities of the eggs then deteriorate. Never leave duck eggs lying in the sun, especially if they be in a muddy run, and market them at least twice a week. In England all duck eggs for the retail trade are candled by customers in the shops; a special device being provided for the purpose on the counter.