THE DUCK AS A LAYER.

Shannon News, 10 August 1923, Page 3

THE DUCK AS A LAYER.

351> EGGS IN 365 DAYS,

(By J. N. Leigh, The, “Daily Mail’” Poultry Expert.) During the last few years a wonderful expansion ihas 'taken place in the keep mg of ducks solely lor egg production, and there is every indication it will expand still further and ultimately become an important, industry. Previously ducks had been bred and kept chiefly, if not entirely, on account of their value as table birds, but with the advent of the Indian Runner Duck, which is practically valueless as a table bird, but a prolific layer, the great natural egg laying powers of ducks began to be recognised. There existed, however, considerable prejudice in the mind* of the public against ducks' eggs for edible purposes—first on account of the unattractive green colour of the shells, and, secondly, because of the somewhat strong flavour of a large proportion of the eggs. WHITE SHELLS. As the beisult of selective breeding in successive generations from ducks producing white shelled eggs the green coloured egg has been practically eliminated from those strains which have been worked upon in that way. As regards the strong flavour associated with ducks’ eggs, that was undoubtedly due to the -foods they ate. Formerly ducks obtained much of their food, from dirty and evil-smell-ing ponds and ditches, and as a result their eggs were affected and became strong and unpleasantly flavoured. Now bhat_ attention, is being given to the matter, and the egg-laying ducks are kept on grass land or in orcharding and: not allowed access to any objectionable places, and properly fed in othpr respects, their eggs are as delicate in flavour as those laid by hens. Consequently the prejudice which formerly 'existed is. rapidly disappearing and many people actually prefer them to hens’ eggs. What has, however, given the greatest impetus to duck-keeping for egg production are the wonderful records made in, the recent laying tests carried out in England: and elsewhere. Specialist breeders who. are responsible for the development of fecundity in fowls have quickly recognised the possibilities in ducks and have turned their attention to the further improvement of their n aural egg-laying powers, and there is every reason to anticipate still further .advances will result i'roini their efforts. Already ducks have put up records far in advance of those attained by fowls, and in the recent laying test promoted |>y the National U;tility Poultry Society, and carried out at the London and North-Eastern Railway Co.’s farm at Bentley,, Suffolk, some remarkable records were made. During v the 44 weeks'- run of the test the' 265 ducks engaged laid 46,444 eggs—an average of 176 eggs per bird. This compares with aii average of 156 eggs per. bird attained in the hen test carried out alongside; In order to further demonstrate their laying capabilities, one duck out of each of the competing pern ha* remained under test for the full twelve months, and the results axe most striking." , ■ . The average over the whole flock reached the high figure of 244 eggs per duck, and one, a fawn and white Indian Runnier, laid 350 eggß in the 365 days. ' . . Fecundity is largely a matttei oi strain, and anything approaching these figures can only be obtained from birds in which that character has been highly developed. Apart from their productive powers, ducks offer special economic advantages in that they need very inexpensive housing—indeed, in a sheltered position they do equally well without house or shelter of any kind. They are also wonderful foragers, and given free range over suitable grass land or orcharding they will .find a very large proportion of the food they require.