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_ PART I. DUCKS

CHAPTER I. Present Extent of the Industry

Duck raisin !hi"e re#resentin an industry of considera$"e %a"ue to the United States

!hen considered fro& a nationa" stand#oint' is one of the &inor $ranches of the #ou"try

industry. Accordin to the ()*+ census there !ere *',(-'*/ ducks in the United States!ith a %a"uation of 01'1-1'). As coared !ith this the census for ()(+ sho!s a

s"iht"y reater nu&$er of ducks' *')+'2*2' $ut their %a"ue !as considera$"y "ess $ein

on"y 0('2-'(/. In the ten years $et!een the census of ()++ and that of ()(+ there !as a

decrease in the nu&$er of ducks of near"y /+3.

Accordin to the ()*+ census the &ore iortant duck raisin states arraned in their

order of iortance !ere Io!a' I""inois' Pennsy"%ania' 4e! 5ork' 6issouri' 6innesota'Tennessee' 7hio' South Dakota' Indiana' 4e$raska and Kentucky. The nu&$er re#orted

for Io!a !as *12'*/) and for Kentucky ))'2--. 4e! En"and' the 4orth At"antic' the

East 4orth Centra"' the 8est 4orth Centra"' the 6ountain and the Pacific states sho!ed

an increase' !hi"e the South At"antic' East South Centra" and 8est South Centra" statessho!ed a decrease. In s#ite of the existence of 9uite a nu&$er of "are co&&ercia" duck

far&s' the reat $u"k of ducks #roduced are those !hich co&e fro& the enera" far&s

!here on"y s&a"" f"ocks are ke#t. 5et on"y a s&a"" #ro#ortion of far&s ha%e ducks on

the&. The coarati%e"y s&a"" nu&$er of ducks is distri$uted o%er #ractica""y the entire

United States' $ein &ore co&&on in so&e sections than others' #articu"ar"y a"on the

At"antic Coast and a"on the Pacific Coast' !ith fair"y nu&erous f"ocks on the far&s of

the 6idd"e 8est.

Different Ty#es of Duck Raisin. The conditions under !hich ducks are ke#t and the

#ur#ose for !hich they are ke#t fa"" under four heads: ;irst' co&&ercia" duck raisin forthe #roduction of duck &eat< second' duck raisin as a $y=#roduct of the enera" far& ta$"e $ut they !i"" a"so #roduce a sur#"us !hich

can $e so"d at a #rofit. It &ust $e re&e&$ered' ho!e%er' that !here on"y a s&a"" f"ock is

ke#t it is enera""y iractica$"e for the far&er to i%e his ducks the attention necessaryto cater to the &arket for reen duck"ins. As a resu"t he usua""y kee#s the& unti" fa"" and

se""s the& on the &arket at a considera$"y "o!er #rice than is o$tained $y the co&&ercia"

duck ro!er.

There a"so exists an o##ortunity !hich has not $een de%e"o#ed to any reat extent to kee#

so&e one of the e #roducin $reeds of ducks such as the Indian Runner for the #ri&ary

#ur#ose of e #roduction. A fe! %entures of this sort see& to ha%e $een successfu" $ut it

&ust $e re&e&$ered that the &arket for duck es is not near"y so $road as that for hens>es and that in so&e 9uarters there exists considera$"e #re?udice aainst duck es for

ta$"e consution. @efore enain in duck raisin #ri&ari"y for the #roduction of

&arket es it !ou"d therefore $e necessary to in%estiate and consider carefu""y the&arket conditions in the neih$orhood so as to kno! !hether the es cou"d $e &arketed

to ad%antae. 8hi"e the Runner ducks are #ro"ific "ayers there is no ad%antae in kee#in

the& in #reference to fo!"s as e #roducers. The es are "arer in sie $ut it takes &ore

feed to #roduce the&' !hi"e they cannot as a ru"e $e dis#osed of at &uch if any hiher

#rice than can $e secured for hens> es. ;or $akin #ur#oses duck es can $e readi"y

so"d on account of their "arer sie.

There is a"!ays an o##ortunity to #roduce fine stock of any kind' !hether it $e ducks'

chickens' turkeys or eese. Ducks are not exhi$ited to the sa&e extent as are chickens and

the coetition in the sho!s is not as a ru"e so keen. 4e%erthe"ess &any #ersons are

interested in #roducin and exhi$itin ood stock and there exists a %ery definite &arketfor $irds of 9ua"ity.

There is a"so a #ro$a$i"ity that a ood $usiness cou"d $e !orked u# $y one !ho !ou"d

#ay s#ecia" attention to #roducin a strain of ducks of ear"y &aturity' "are sie and ood

%ior in order to su##"y $reedin drakes to &any of the co&&ercia" duck far&s. These

far&s usua""y secure drakes for $reedin fro& sources outside their o!n f"ocks each year

$ut the usua" #ractice is to exchane drakes !ith so&e other co&&ercia" ro!er. 8hi"e

%ery ood $irds are to $e found on these duck far&s there is no reater o##ortunity to

enae in any syste&atic $reedin' the se"ection of the $reedin stock $ein of rather a

hurried nature durin certain seasons of the year !hen the ducks are $ein &arketed.

6oreo%er' the "on continued custo& of exchanin drakes !ith the neih$orin far&ers

has in &ost cases "ed to the $"ood $ein so "are"y confined !ithin one circ"e that no reat#ercentae of ne! $"ood is o$tained $y these exchanes. 7f course' the o##ortunity a"on

$reedin "ines for this #ur#ose is "i&ited to the Pekin duck as this is the $reed !hich is

ke#t u#on a"" the "are co&&ercia" duck far&s in the United States.


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Prices for @reedin Stock. Duck $reeders !ho &ake a s#ecia"ty of se""in $reedin stock

or es for hatchin find a steady and 9uite a !ide de&and for their stock. The es are

usua""y so"d in sittins of (( and $rin a #rice of fro& 01 to 02 #er sittin de#endin on

the 9ua"ity of the stock. The #rices recei%ed for the $irds the&se"%es de#end of course

u#on their 9ua"ity and &ay run any!here fro& a$out 02 to 0*2 #er $ird.

Ducks for 7rna&enta" Pur#oses. 7n estates or in #arks !here natura" or artificia" #onds

are inc"uded in the rounds' !aterfo!" are often ke#t for orna&enta" #ur#oses. Any

$reeds &ay $e used' and often the ay co"ored 8ood Duck and 6andarin' or so&e one of

the s&a"" $reeds such as the Ca""s' @"ack East Indian or the 6a""ards are ke#t for this

#ur#ose. It is said that these s&a"" ducks !i"" a$so"ute"y destroy the &os9uito "ar%ae in

any such #onds or "akes. _

_ PART I. DUCKS

CHAPTER II. @reeds and Barieties==Ho! to 6ate to Produce Exhi$ition

@reeds and Barieties==Ho! to 6ate to Produce Exhi$ition S#eci&ens==Pre#arin Ducks

for the Sho!==Catchin and Hand"in

@reeds of Ducks. There are (( standard $reeds of ducks. A"" of these $reeds !ith the

exce#tion of the Ca""' 6usco%y and Runner consist of a sin"e %ariety. The Ca"" is di%ided

into t!o %arieties' the ray and the 8hite< the 6usco%y consists of t!o %arieties' the

Co"ored and the 8hite< and the Runner consists of three %arieties' the ;a!n and 8hite'

the 8hite and the Penci"ed.

Duck $reeders' of course' !hether raisin the $irds for fancy or for #rofit' kee# one of the

standard $reads or %arieties. ;re9uent"y' a"so' the far& f"ocks consist of standard$red

ducks $ut on &any far&s' #ro$a$"y a reat &a?ority' the f"ock consists of the co&&on or

so=ca""ed #udd"e duck. In certain #arts of the South there is a duck kno!n as the &u"e

duck !hich is a cross $et!een the 6usco%y and the co&&on duck. This is a duck of

ood &arket 9ua"ity $ut !i"" not $reed fro& !hich characteristic it ets its na&e. 6ost of

the co&&on or #udd"e ducks !hich are found on far&s are of rather s&a"" sie' are

indifferent as "ayers' and do not &ake a desira$"e ty#e of &arket duck. They ha%e arisen

si"y fro& the crossin of standard $reeds !ith resu"tant care"essness and indifferencein $reedin. @ecause of the care !ith !hich they ha%e $een se"ected and $red for definite

#ur#oses' the standard $reeds are decided"y su#erior to the co&&on #udd"e ducks andshou"d $y a"" &eans $e ke#t in #reference since they !i"" yie"d $etter resu"ts and reater

#rofits.

In addition to the standard $reeds and %arieties f"ocks of 6a""ards are a"so ke#t to a

"i&ited extent. The 6a""ard is a co&&on s&a"" !i"d duck !hich has "ent itse"f readi"y to

do&estication and !hich thri%es !ith #ro#er care under confined conditions. In !eiht'

the drakes !i"" run fro& *=(* #ounds to 1 #ounds or e%en a "itt"e "arer. The ducks


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a%erae a$out *(/ #ounds !ith a %ariation of fro& ( #ound (* ounces to * #ounds ,

ounces. @y se"ectin the "are es for hatchin and $y "i$era" feedin' it is easy to

increase the sie of 6a""ards to such an extent that they rese&$"e s&a"" Rouens rather

than !i"d 6a""ards. The #"u&ae of the 6a""ard is %ery si&i"ar to that of the Rouen $ut

of a "ihter shade. Another s&a"" !i"d duck kno!n as the 8ood or Caro"ina duck' !hich

is a nati%e of 4orth A&erica' has $een do&esticated and on account of the reat $eauty ofits #"u&ae is usua""y to $e found !here%er orna&enta" !aterfo!" are ke#t. The

6andarin duck is a s&a"" duck of a$out the sa&e sie as the 8ood duck' is of $eautifu"

#"u&ae and "ike the 8ood duck is enera""y ke#t for orna&enta" #ur#oses. This duck is

said to $e a nati%e of China.

C"assification of @reeds

So far as the standard $reeds and %arieties are concerned they &ay $e di%ided into threec"asses accordin to the #ur#ose for !hich they are ke#t and for !hich they are $est

suited. ;irst is the &eat c"ass !hich consists of the Pekin' Ay"es$ury' 6usco%y' Rouen'

@uff' Cayua and @"ue S!edish. These $reeds cou"d !e"" $e ter&ed enera" #ur#ose

ducks for they are 9uite ood "ayers in addition to #roducin exce""ent ta$"e carcasses and

are therefore !e"" suited for enera" far& use. They are' ho!e%er' ke#t &ore #articu"ar"yfor &eat #roduction.

The second c"ass is kno!n as the e c"ass and consists of the three %arieties of the

Runner Duck' for&er"y kno!n as the Indian Runner. The Runner Duck is &uch s&a""er

in sie than the $irds of the &eat c"ass' is "oner in "e and &ore acti%e' and is not so !e""

suited for the #roduction of ta$"e ducks $ut is a %ery #ro"ific "ayer. 8ith #ro#er feedinand &anae&ent the Runner ducks !i"" coare fa%ora$"y !ith hens as e #roducers.

The third c"ass is kno!n as the orna&enta" c"ass and is coosed of the ducks !hich are

ke#t and $red #rinci#a""y for orna&enta" #ur#oses. This c"ass consists of the Ca"" duck

!ith its t!o %arieties' the @"ack East India duck and the Crested 8hite duck. @oth the

Ca"" and East India ducks are s&a"" in sie $ein rea""y the $anta&s of the duck fa&i"y.

8hi"e they &ake ood ta$"e $irds' their s&a"" sie handica#s the& as co&&ercia" &eat

fo!". The Crested 8hite duck is of "arer sie' #ossesses a crest and is $red &ain"y as an

orna&enta" fo!".

6arkin the Ducks. The duck raiser !ho is $reedin his ducks for exhi$ition 9ua"ity has

need for kno!"ede of the $reedin of the $irds he &ay conte"ate usin in his &atins.

In order that this infor&ation &ay $e a%ai"a$"e' the youn ducks as they are hatched can

$e &arked $y toe #unchin the& on the !e$s of their feet in the sa&e &anner that $a$y

chicks are toe #unched. A different set or co&$ination of &arks is used for each &atin

so that the $reedin of the different ducks can $e distinuished. 6ature ducks can' if


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desired' $e "e $anded in order to furnish a distinuishin &ark.

4o&enc"ature

@efore takin u# a descri#tion of the &atins of the different standard $reeds and

%arieties it is !e"" to indicate the co&&on no&enc"ature !hich is used in connection !ith

these fo!"s and !hich differs fro& that used for chickens. The &a"e duck is ca""ed drake'

the fe&a"e duck is ter&ed duck' and the youn duck of either sex is ter&ed duck"in. In

i%in the standard !eihts for the different $reeds of ducks' !eihts are i%en for adu"t

ducks and adu"t drakes' and for youn ducks and youn drakes. @y adu"t duck or drake is

&eant a $ird !hich is o%er one year o"d. @y youn duck or drake is &eant a $ird !hich is

"ess than one year o"d. The horny &outh #arts of the duck instead of $ein ter&ed $eak as

in chickens are ca""ed $i""' and the se#arate di%ision of the u##er $i"" at its extre&ity is

ter&ed the $ean. Ducks do not sho! any co&$ or !att"es as in chickens. In En"and useis &ade of the ter&s duck"et and drakere". Duck"et is used to sinify a fe&a"e durin her

first "ayin season ?ust as the !ord #u""et is used in contrast to hen. Drakere" is used to

sinify a youn drake as contrasted !ith an o"der drake ?ust as the !ord cockere" is used

in coarison to cock in chickens.

Distinuishin the Sex. The sex of &ature ducks can $e readi"y to"d $y their %oices and

a"so $y a difference in the featherin. The duck i%es %oice to a coarse' harsh sound

!hich is the characteristic 9uack usua""y thouht of in connection !ith this c"ass of

fo!". The drake on the other hand utters a cry !hich is not near"y so "oud or harsh $ut

!hich is &ore of a hissin sound. Distinction of sex $y this &eans can $e &ade after theduck"ins are fro& / to !eeks o"d. @efore this ae' $oth sexes &ake the sa&e #ee#in

noise.

6ature drakes are a"so distinuished fro& the ducks $y the #resence of t!o sex feathers

at the $ase of the tai". These are short feathers !hich cur" or cur%e u#!ard and for!ard

to!ard the $ody of the $ird. In ducks these feathers are a$sent.

Sie

An idea of the sie of the different standard $reeds can $est $e o$tained $y i%in the

standard !eihts. They are as fo""o!s:==

Adu"t Drake. Adu"t Duck. 5oun Drake. 5oun Duck.


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Pekin ) , , -

Ay"es$ury ) , , -

Rouen ) , , -

Cayua , - -

6usco%y (+ - ,

@"ue S!edish , - =(* 2=(*

Crested 8hite - 2

@uff , - -

Runner /=(* / / 1=(*

There are no standard !eihts for the Ca"" duck and for the @"ack East India duck $ut

these are a"" s&a"" in sie' $ein rea""y $anta& ducks. The drakes !i"" !eih fro& *=(* to

1 #ounds and the ducks fro& * to *=(* #ounds.

Po#u"arity of @reeds

In the &eat c"ass $y far the &ost #o#u"ar duck in this country is the Pekin. It is the $reed

!hich is used exc"usi%e"y on the "are co&&ercia" duck far&s. 4ext to the Pekin in this

c"ass #ro$a$"y co&es the 6usco%y !hich is 9uite co&&on"y ke#t in so&e sections of the

country' #articu"ar"y in the South. The Ay"es$ury duck has ne%er #ro%ed to $e %ery

#o#u"ar in the United States #erha#s due to its !hite $i"" and skin' a"thouh it is the

#o#u"ar &arket duck of En"and. The other $reeds inc"uded in the &eat c"ass are ke#t

&ore or "ess co&&on"y $ut do not a##roach in #o#u"arity either the Pekin or the

6usco%y. Any of the $reeds in this c"ass !i"" #ro%e to $e satisfactory for a far& f"ock'a"thouh the Co"ored $reeds and %arieties are at a disad%antae !hen dressed due to their

dark #in feathers.

In the e c"ass there is inc"uded on"y the Indian Runner and this of course is the $reed

!hich is ke#t !here%er the #roduction of duck es is the #ri&ary o$?ect. The ;a!n and

8hite is the &ost #o#u"ar %ariety of this $reed.

In the orna&enta" c"ass there is no #articu"ar outstandin $reed' since the ducks $e"onin

in this c"ass are ke#t %ery "are"y to satisfy the #"easure of the o!ner and the se"ection of

a $reed is entire"y a &atter of #ersona" #reference.

E Production

8hi"e the conditions under !hich ducks are ke#t and the care they are i%en !i"" affect


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their e #roduction reat"y' there are certain rather definite coarisons that can $e

&ade $et!een the different $reeds. The Pekin is a ood "ayer and !i"" #roduce fro& ,+ to

(*+ es. The Ay"es$ury and the Rouen are a$out a"ike in "ayin a$i"ity' neither $ein

9uite as ood as the Pekin. The Cayua is a ood "ayer rankin !ith the Ay"es$ury and

Rouen or $et!een these and the Pekin. The 6usco%y is an exce""ent "ayer $ein fu""y as

#ro"ific as the Pekin' es#ecia""y if $roken u# !hen $roody and not a""o!ed to sit. The@"ue S!edish is a$out e9ua" to the Cayua in "ayin a$i"ity. The @uff duck is an exce""ent

"ayer coarin fa%ora$"y !ith the Pekin or e%en !ith the Runner. The Runner ducks are

the $est "ayers of the duck fa&i"y and if i%en #ro#er care and ood feed !i"" coare

fa%ora$"y !ith hens in e #roducin a$i"ity. The Crested 8hite duck is not a #articu"ar"y

ood "ayer. The Ca""s and the @"ack East India ducks !i"" "ay fro& *+ to + es #er year'

a##roachin the "atter nu&$er if the es are co""ected as "aid and the ducks are not

a""o!ed to sit !hich !i"" induce so&e of the& to continue to "ay for 9uite a #ortion of the

year. Extre&e"y "are ducks of any $reed do not "ay as !e"" as the &ore &ediu& sied

$irds.

Sie of Duck Es. The es of the different &eat $reeds !i"" run a$out the sa&e in sie

!ith the exce#tion of the 6usco%y !hose es run a "itt"e "arer. Actua" !eihts of es

fro& re#resentati%e f"ocks sho! Pekin' Rouen' Ay"es$ury and Cayua es to a%erae

a$out *=(* #ounds #er doen a"thouh there is a tendency for the Rouen es to run

so&e!hat "arer and for Cayuas to run a "itt"e s&a""er. 6usco%y es !eih a$out 1

#ounds #er doen !ith se"ected "are es !eihin as hih as 1=(/ #ounds. Es of the

Runner duck are s&a""er $ut are considera$"y "arer than a%erae hens> es or a$out the

sie of "are 6inorca es. They !eih a$out * #ounds #er doen. Es of the $anta&

$reeds of ducks' the Ca""s and the @"ack East India' toether !ith those of the 6andarin

and 8ood ducks !i"" !eih fro& one #ound to (=(* #ounds #er doen de#endin u#on

the sie of the ducks the&se"%es. Es of the 6a""ard duck !i"" run fro& * to 1* ouncesto the doen. The sie of es "aid $y ducks' es#ecia""y the $anta& $reeds and the

6a""ard can $e increased so&e!hat $y "i$era" feedin. A%erae hens> es shou"d !eih

a$out (=(* #ounds #er doen.

Co"or of Es. The co"or of duck es ranes fro& !hite to a #o"ished $"ack. Pekin es

run &ost"y !hite a"thouh so&e sho! a decided $"ue or reen tint. Ay"es$ury es run

9uite unifor&"y !hite. The co"or of Rouen es %aries fro& !hite to a dark reen. The

Cayua #roduces %ery fe! !hite es' &ost of the& $ein reen or $"ack' so&e $ein as

$"ack as thouh #o"ished. 6usco%y es run fro& a !hite to a reenish crea& in co"or.

The es of the @"ue S!edish and the @uff ducks usua""y run !hite. The Runner duck

"ays !hite es as a ru"e !hi"e the Crested 8hite duck "ays es !hich rane in co"or

fro& !hite to reen. The es of the Ca"" ducks run fro& !hite to reen !hi"e the es of

the @"ack East India' "ike the Cayua' for the &ost #art run fro& reen to $"ack.

A #ecu"iarity in reard to the e co"or is that the sa&e fe&a"e &ay "ay es !hich are

!ide"y different in co"or. It is "ike!ise true that the co"or of the she"" is inf"uenced to


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so&e extent $y the feed. Ducks on rane !i"" "ay darker co"ored es than those !hich

are yarded. There is a"so a tendency for the es to run darker in co"or !hen "ayin first

$eins and for the es to "ihten as "ayin #roceeds. A #ecu"iarity in reard to duck es

!ith a dark co"ored she"" is that a thorouh !ashin !i"" "ihten u# the she"" co"or

decided"y.

@roodiness. The 6usco%y' the Ca"" and the @"ack East India ducks are $roody $reeds.

The ducks of these $reeds !i"" &ake their nests' hatch their es and are ood &others.

A"" the other $reeds are c"assed as non=$roody $reeds. 7f course' a certain #ercentae of

the& !i"" o $roody and sho! a desire to sit $ut they do not &ake re"ia$"e sitters and

&others and are not as a ru"e used for this #ur#ose.

Considerations in 6akin the 6atinF(G

Since ducks are ke#t for different #ur#oses there !i"" of course $e certain funda&enta"

differences in the different c"asses in the se"ection of the indi%idua"s to &ake u# the

&atin. 8hate%er the #ur#ose' ho!e%er' the first consideration in se"ectin the $reeders

&ust $e to secure those !hich #ossess exce""ent %ior and enera" hea"th and !hich &eet

insofar as #ossi$"e the standard re9uire&ents for sie. 8here the Ca"" duck and the @"ack

East India are concerned the se"ection for sie &ust $e for s&a""ness since that is a

characteristic reat"y desired. In the other $reeds the se"ection for sie &ust $e to see that

they co&e u# to the standard !eihts for the #articu"ar $reed in 9uestion. As in other

c"asses of fo!"s the condition and c"ean"iness of the #"u&ae and the enera" a##earance

and actions of the $irds are ood indications of their hea"th and thriftiness. A $riht eye is"ike!ise a %a"ua$"e indication of ood hea"th !hi"e a !atery eye is usua""y a sin of

!eakness. It is necessary to uard aainst $irds !hich sho! any tendency to!ard crooked

or roach $ack' hu $ack' crooked tai"s' or t!isted !ins. Since a"" $reeds of ducks

shou"d ha%e c"ean or unfeathered "es it is "ike!ise necessary to uard aainst any

$reeders !hich sho! do!n on the shanks or $et!een the toes as this so&eti&es occurs.

F;ootnote (: ;or a &ore detai"ed discussion of the #rinci#"es of $reedin as a##"ied to

chickens and !hich is e9ua""y a##"ica$"e to ducks' the reader is referred to The 6atin

and @reedin of Pou"try $y Harry 6. a&on and Ro$ R. S"ocu&' #u$"ished $y the

7rane udd Pu$"ishin Coany' 4e! 5ork City.G

In se"ectin the &atin for any one of the &eat $reeds use $irds !hich ha%e ood "enth'

!idth and de#th of $ody so that they !i"" ha%e #"enty of &eat carryin ca#acity. ;or

$reeders of &arket ducks' $irds !hich are acti%e' !e"" &atured and !hich are not extre&e

in sie for the $reed are #refera$"e as the ferti"ity is "ike"y to run $etter than !ith the

extre&e"y "are $irds. 8here $irds are $red for exhi$ition #ur#oses' it fre9uent"y ha##ens

that it is desira$"e to use "are $reeders and to ho"d the& for $reedin #ur#oses as "on as


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they are in ood $reedin condition. 8here this is the case it $eco&es necessary to &ate

a s&a""er nu&$er of fe&a"es to a drake than !ou"d $e the case !ith s&a""er and youner

$reeders. 8here o"d $irds are used as $reeders $etter resu"ts !i"" $e secured $y &atin

o"d ducks to a youn drake or %ice %ersa than $y &atin toether o"d $irds of $oth sexes.

8hi"e ducks of any of the &eat $reeds are ke#t #ri&ari"y for &eat #roduction' it is

essentia" that the e #roduction $e ood throuhout the $reedin season in order to raiseas &any duck"ins and secure as reat a #rofit as #ossi$"e. Se"ection of the fe&a"es as

$reeders shou"d $e &ade therefore on the $asis of ood e #roduction as !e"" as ood

&eat ty#e if the conditions under !hich the ducks are ke#t are such as to &ake it #ossi$"e

to check this in any &anner.

In se"ectin the &atin in the Runner $reed it is necessary to kee# in &ind that the

enera" ty#e of $ody is 9uite different fro& that of the &eat $reeds' $ein &uch s"i&&er

and &uch &ore u#riht in $ody carriae. ;or this &atin se"ect thrifty' hea"thy $irds andthose !hich are acti%e. So&e $reeders tra#nest their Runner ducks or ha%e so&e other

&eans of checkin u# the $etter "ayers. As in chickens' it is of course desira$"e to use

these $etter "ayers as $reeders since the #ur#ose in kee#in this kind of duck is #ri&ari"ye #roduction.

In se"ectin the &atin in the Ca"" and East India $reeds it is necessary to use the s&a""er

ducks since the o$?ect here is to kee# the sie s&a"". In addition' !ith these $reeds or !ith

any other $reeds ke#t and $red #ri&ari"y for fancy or exhi$ition #ur#oses' it is necessary

to confor& ?ust as c"ose"y as #ossi$"e to the standard re9uire&entsF*G $oth insofar as sie

and ty#e are concerned' and a"so !ith res#ect to co"or.

F;ootnote *: ;or a co"ete and officia" descri#tion and "ist of dis9ua"ifications of the

standard $reeds and %arieties of ducks' the reader is referred to the A&erican Standard of

Perfection #u$"ished $y the A&erican Pou"try Association' and o$tained $y 7rane uddPu$"ishin Coany' 4e! 5ork' 4. 5.G

@reeds of Ducks

The Pekin. 8hi"e this %ariety !ants to $e of ood sie and to ha%e "enth' $readth and

de#th of $ody it is so&e!hat &ore u#standin than so&e of the other &eat $reeds'

sho!in a definite s"o#e of $ody do!n!ard fro& shou"ders to tai". The $ack "ine of the

Pekin shou"d sho! a s"iht conca%ity fro& the shou"ders to the tai" and the u##er "ine of

the $i"" is "ike!ise s"iht"y conca%e $et!een the #oint !here it ?oins the head and its

extre&ity. The shou"ders shou"d $e $road and any tendency to!ard narro!ness at this

#oint &ust $e a%oided. 8hi"e a ood de#th of kee" is desired' the standard does not ca""

for so dee# a kee" as in the Ay"es$ury. As a &atter of fact' ho!e%er' the !innin

s#eci&ens as seen in the sho!s are not as a ru"e as erect in carriae as ca""ed for $y the

standard i""ustration' there $ein a tendency to et the& a"&ost if not 9uite as dee# in kee"


10/65

as the Ay"es$ury. In fact' so&e $reeders see& to stri%e for a "o! do!n kee" a##roachin a

condition !here they are near"y as "o! in front as $ehind $ut this is not desira$"e Pekin

ty#e.

So&eti&es a drake !i"" sho! a rouh neck' that is' the feathers on the $ack of the neck

!i"" $e crossed or fo"ded o%er sho!in a tendency to cur". These $irds shou"d $e a%oidedas $reeders since there is a tendency for the& to #roduce ducks ha%in a crest. So&eti&es

a reen or a reenish s#otted $i"" !i"" $e encountered. Since the $i"" shou"d $e a c"ear

ye""o!' $reeders sho!in this defect shou"d $e a%oided #articu"ar"y as they are "ike"y to

#roduce $irds ha%in reenish or o"i%e co"ored "es. The shanks and toes shou"d $e a

c"ear dee# orane. @"ack so&eti&es occurs in the $ean. This &ay occur in $irds of either

sex $ut is &ore co&&on in the ducks than in the drakes. In the drake $"ack in the $ean

dis9ua"ifies $ut !hi"e it is undesira$"e and a serious defect in the duck it does not

dis9ua"ify. The co"or of the #"u&ae is !hite or crea&y !hite throuhout. Crea&iness inthis %ariety is not a serious defect as it is in !hite chickens. The use' ho!e%er' of ye""o!

corn and of foods %ery rich in oi" tends to increase the crea&iness of the #"u&ae and

shou"d not $e used to excess for $irds !hich are to $e exhi$ited.

The Ay"es$ury. This $reed is #articu"ar"y noted for its dee# kee". It differs fro& the Pekin

in ty#e in that it is &ore near"y "e%e" in $ody. There is a decided tendency for the

Ay"es$ury to run too short in $ody !hich has #ro$a$"y co&e a$out $y extre&e se"ection

for dee# kee". It is !e""' therefore' in &akin the &atin to se"ect $reeders !ith ood

"enth of $ody. Since the dee# fu"" $reast and kee" is characteristic of this $reed it is

necessary to a%oid $reeders !hich sho! any tendency to!ard a f"at $reast. As in the case

of the Pekins a%oid any $irds !hich ha%e reen or o"i%e co"ored $i""s. The $ack "ine of the

Ay"es$ury shou"d $e straiht' sho!in no tendency to!ard a s"iht conca%ity as in the

Pekin. @irds sho!in this sha#e $ack shou"d $e a%oided. As in the Pekin $"ack on the $i""or $ean of the drake !i"" dis9ua"ify and in the duck is a serious defect. The co"or of

#"u&ae shou"d $e !hite throuhout and shou"d sho! no tendency to!ard crea&iness.

The $i"" in this $reed is f"esh co"ored instead of ye""o! as in the Pekin. The Ay"es$ury is

not 9uite as ner%ous a $reed as the Pekin.

The Rouen. The Rouen duck is a #arti=co"ored $reed and is therefore &uch &ore difficu"t

to secure in #erfection of co"or and &arkin than is the case !ith the !hite $reeds.

6oreo%er' the dark #in feathers &ake the ducks &ore difficu"t to dress than in !hite

$reeds. In ty#e these $irds are %ery "e%e" in $ody and are &assi%e' carryin a reat dea" of

&eat. A%oid $irds sho!in a "ack of "enth of $ody or de#th of kee" or !hich are too f"at

in $reast. The $ack of the Rouen shou"d ha%e a s"iht"y con%ex or arched sha#e fro& neckto tai" and it is necessary to uard aainst $irds !hich ha%e a f"at or a conca%e $ack. The

$ody of the Rouen shou"d $e carried #ractica""y horionta". The u##er "ine of the $i""

shou"d $e s"iht"y dished or conca%e. The !hite rin a$out the neck of the drake is an

iortant #art of the &arkin. This shou"d not $e too !ide $ut shou"d run a$out a 9uarter

of an inch in !idth. It shou"d $e as distinct and c"ean cut as #ossi$"e $ut shou"d not 9uite


11/65

co&e toether in the rear. Any a##roach to a rin in the fe&a"e is a dis9ua"ification.

8hite in the #ri&ary or secondary !in feathers is a serious defect since it constitutes a

dis9ua"ification. It &ust therefore $e carefu""y a%oided. 8hite feathers in the f"uff of the

drake is another co"or defect !hich &ust $e uarded aainst.

@reast of Drake. The farther the c"aret co"or on the $reast of the drake extends do!n the

$etter !i"" $e the fe&a"es secured fro& the &atin. Drakes !hich are deficient in the

a&ount of c"aret on the $reast shou"d therefore $e thro!n out as $reeders. A #ur#"e ru

in drakes &ust $e a%oided as &ust $"ack feathers o%er the ru as they tend to kee# u#

too dark a $ody co"or in the fe&a"e. 7n the other hand too $riht or "iht a co"or in the

&a"e or exhi$ition fe&a"e !i"" #roduce fe&a"es !hich are too "iht in co"or. Drakes !ith

"iht o"i%e co"ored $i""s &ust $e a%oided as these !i"" ha%e a tendency to #roduce

offs#rin !hich sho! too &uch ye""o! in the fe&a"es> $i""s' and c"ear ye""o! $i""sconstitute a dis9ua"ification. In the fe&a"es so"id ye""o! $i""s' fa!n co"ored $reasts and

a$sence of #enci"in &ust $e a%oided. ;e&a"es !hich are dark or near"y $"ack o%er the

ru are ood $reeders as they tend to kee# u# the round co"or of the $ody and tai".

The Rouen sho!s so&e tendency to fade in co"or. This is e%idenced first on the ti#s of the

!ins. The fadin !i"" a"so sho! in the f"uff of drakes. The drakes of this $reed and

"ike!ise of the ray Ca"" and the 6a""ard sho! a #ecu"iar $eha%ior !ith res#ect to the

co"or of their #"u&ae. A$out une ( the drakes &ou"t' "osin their characteristic &a"e

adu"t #"u&ae and the ne! #"u&ae is #ractica""y that of the fe&a"e. This fe&a"e

#"u&ae is retained unti" a$out 7cto$er !hen they radua""y reain their nor&a" !inter

&a"e #"u&ae. 5oun Rouens of $oth sexes ha%e fe&a"e #"u&ae unti" the "ast &ou"t

!hich occurs at a$out four or fi%e &onths of ae' !hen the drakes assu&e the adu"t &a"e

#"u&ae. The sex of the youn Rouens can' ho!e%er' $e to"d $y the difference in the

co"or of the $i""s.

The Cayua. The Cayua is &uch "ike the other $reeds of the &eat c"ass in enera" ty#e

or sha#e of $ody sho!in ood "enth' $readth and de#th. It is a %ery so"id duck and

!eihs hea%ier than it "ooks. The $ody carriae is s"iht"y &ore u#riht than the Rouen

$ut not so &uch so as the Pekin. The $ack "ine shou"d $e straiht and any tendency

to!ard an arched $ack &ust $e a%oided. It is s"iht"y s&a""er than the Pekin' Ay"es$ury

and Rouen' a%erain a$out a #ound "ess.

In &akin the &atin' sie is iortant and $reeders shou"d $e se"ected !hich are u# to

standard !eihts if #ossi$"e. 8hi"e this $reed is not ke#t %ery !ide"y at the #resent ti&e'

ne%erthe"ess it is an exce""ent &arket duck' dressin out into a %ery #"u ye""o! carcass

in s#ite of its $"ack #"u&ae !hich is a disad%antae in dressin. The co"or shou"d $e a

"ustrous reenish $"ack throuhout' $ein so&e!hat $rihter in the drake than in the

duck. The duck is &ore "ike"y to sho! a $ro!nish cast of #"u&ae' #articu"ar"y as she

ro!s o"der. It is hard to ho"d ood $"ack co"or !ith ae. 6oreo%er' !hite or ray is a#t

to occur in the $reast of fe&a"es. 8ith ae a"so a "itt"e !hite so&eti&es de%e"o#s on the


12/65

$ack of the neck' around the eyes and underneath the neck at the $ase of the $i"". The

!hite !hich occurs in $reast is &ore "ike"y to co&e in ducks and is not co&&on"y found

in the drakes. In the drakes on the other hand' there is a tendency for the !hite to co&e on

the throat under the $i"".

Drakes as a ru"e run truer in co"or and ho"d their co"or $etter than do the ducks. 8here the!hite &ott"in occurs in #"u&ae !ith ae one need not hesitate to $reed fro& these $irds

if they !ere of ood $"ack co"or as youn $irds. The drakes of the $est co"or do not as a

ru"e fade or $eco&e &ott"ed to any reat extent !ith ae. It is necessary to uard aainst

$irds as $reeders !hich ha%e a rusty $ro!n "acin on the $reast and under the !ins' a"so

those !hich ha%e a !in=$o! "aced !ith $ro!n. There is a tendency for the $i"" of

drakes' !hich shou"d $e $"ack' to $e too "iht or o"i%e in co"or and this tendency increases

!ith ae. Drakes !ith $i""s of this co"or shou"d $e a%oided as $reeders. 8hen Cayuas

are first hatched the $a$y ducks a"" sho! a !hite $reast.

The Ca"". The Ca"" ducks are the $anta&s of the duck race. There is a"!ays a tendency forthe& to ro! too "are and this is es#ecia""y true !hen they ha%e an o##ortunity to eat a""

they !ant as for exa"e !hen they are fed !ith the "arer ducks. They shou"d not $e fed

too "i$era""y and shou"d $e i%en !heat or so&e other so"id rain rather than any &ash. If

there is a ood #ond of !ater to !hich the Ca"" ducks can ha%e access they do not need to

$e fed &uch of anythin.

In $reedin' the s&a""est indi%idua"s !hich are suita$"e in other res#ects for $reeders'

shou"d $e se"ected in order to kee# do!n the sie and offset the tendency to $reed "arer

in successi%e enerations. In ty#e the Ca""s are #ractica""y &iniature Pekins exce#t that

they shou"d ha%e a %ery short' rather $road head and $i"". The $road f"at and short $i"" and

the round short head i%e the head an a##earance !hich is often descri$ed $y the ter&$utton headed. In this $reed a%oid $irds !hich sho! arched $acks. The $ody shou"d

ha%e !hat is kno!n as a f"atiron sha#e' that is' shou"d $e $road at the shou"ders and ta#er

to!ard the tai". Too dee# kee"s and narro! shou"ders shou"d $e a%oided as shou"d a"so too

"on $i""s. Ca"" ducks' toether !ith East Indias and 6a""ards shou"d ha%e their !ins

c"i##ed or $e #inioned' that is' ha%e the first ?oint of one !in cut off' to #re%ent the&

fro& f"yin a!ay.

The ray Ca"". The #"u&ae of the ray Ca"" is #ractica""y that of the Rouen a"thouhthey are not 9uite as ood in co"or as a $reed. There is &ore of a tendency for so&e of the

$irds to run to dark and others' es#ecia""y the &a"es' to run too "iht in co"or. 8hi"e they

are "ike"y to $e !e"" #enci"ed the shade of co"or is a#t to $e !ron. 8hite in the f"ihts

and under the !ins &ust $e uarded aainst as &ust a"so a$sence of ri$$on or !in $ar

in fe&a"es. The co"or of the #"u&ae is "ike"y to fade !ith ae $ut after the $irds &ou"t

and secure their ne! #"u&ae' the co"or is usua""y hiher aain. In enera" the sa&e co"or

characteristics ho"d true as !ith the Rouen and the sa&e defects &ust $e uarded aainst.


13/65

The 8hite Ca"". This %ariety is' $oth in ty#e and co"or' #ractica""y a &iniature Pekin

exce#t for the short' rather $road head and $i"". They $reed %ery true in co"or and shou"d

$e free fro& crea&iness. The sa&e enera" defects &ust $e !atched for and a%oided as in

the Pekin.

The @"ack East India. This is a $"ack $reed !hich is s&a"" in sie $ein a $anta& duck

"ike the Ca"". As a &atter of fact it is a &iniature Cayua. The co"or shou"d $e $"ack

throuhout and the sa&e co"or characteristics ho"d true as in the case of the Cayua. The

sa&e co"or defects &ust therefore $e uarded aainst' the !orst one $ein !hite in the

$reast of fe&a"es es#ecia""y. A%oid $reedin fro& a drake !ith a $"ack $i"" as in this

res#ect the $reed differs fro& the Cayua since the $i"" of the duck shou"d $e $"ack $ut

that of the drake shou"d $e %ery dark reen. Pur#"e $arrin &ust $e carefu""y se"ectedaainst.

The 6usco%y. This $reed differs in certain res#ects %ery &arked"y fro& the other

standard $reeds of ducks. They are "on and $road in $ody !hich is carried in a

horionta" #osition $ut are not so dee# in kee" as the Pekin' Ay"es$ury or Rouen. The

"onest $odied youn ducks !i"" &ake the "arest indi%idua"s. The head shou"d ha%e

feathers on the to# !hich can $e e"e%ated at !i"" to for& a crest. uard aainst $reeders

ha%in s&ooth heads' or in other !ords' "ackin a crest. The face is co%ered !ith

corruations or carunc"es and shou"d $e red in co"or. At the $ase of the u##er $i"" there is

a sort of kno$="ike for&ation in the drake !hich ser%es as one of the distinuishin

characteristics $et!een the duck and drake of this $reed. The &ore #ro&inent the kno$

and the &ore !rink"ed or corruated the face the $etter is the s#eci&en in this res#ect.

The !ins are "on and stron and these $irds f"y %ery !e"". They !i"" a"so c"i&$ fences.The drakes are 9uite #unacious and fiht one another $ad"y at ti&es. They are es#ecia""y

#unacious !hen they ha%e youn.

This $reed of ducks !i"" often roost on roosts "ike chickens or in the trees or on the $arn.

They do not 9uack "ike other ducks and un"ike other do&esticated $reeds !hich &ou"t

t!o or three ti&es a year' they &ou"t on"y once' takin "oner to do so' usua""y a$out )+

days' a"thouh the fe&a"e &ay co"ete her &ou"t a "itt"e sooner. The #eriod of

incu$ation for 6usco%y es is "oner' $ein fro& 11 to 12 days as coared to *, days

for other $reeds. In sie the &a"e and fe&a"e differ considera$"y as !i"" $e seen fro& the

standard !eihts i%en JSee Pae (/' the &a"e $ein considera$"y "arer. These ducks

"ay !e""' the ferti"ity runs ood' the es hatch !e""' and the "itt"e ducks are hardy and

easi"y raised. They are a $roody $reed. The ducks !i"" &ake their nests and hatch outtheir es if a""o!ed to do so and are exce""ent &others. So&eti&es they !i"" f"y u# and

&ake their nests in a ho""o! tree. A 6usco%y duck can co%er #ro#er"y a$out *+ es. In

s#ite of the fact that they f"y !e"" they are easi"y do&esticated. It takes a$out t!o years

for the &a"es of this $reed to fu""y &ature a"thouh the ducks et their fu"" sie !hen one

year of ae. The 6usco%y is #erha#s the $est enera" #ur#ose $reed for a far& f"ock.


14/65

The extent and intensity of the red of the face increases u# to &aturity and the redder the

face the $etter. The #"u&ae of the 6usco%y is not as do!ny or oi"y as other $reeds' the

feathers $ein harder. ;or this reason the $irds are &ore a#t to $eco&e !ater soaked and

to dro!n as a resu"t !hen they ha%e not $een accusto&ed to !ater in !hich to s!i&. This

is es#ecia""y true of the drakes on account of their "are sie and "on !in feathers.

6usco%y ducks dress !e""' ha%in a rich ye""o! skin' and therefore &ake a ood &arketduck' a"thouh the difference in sie of the duck and drake and the dark #in feathers of

the Co"ored %ariety are disad%antaes fro& a &arket stand#oint. Se"ect aainst $reeders

!hich run s&a"" in sie as there is &ore or "ess of a tendency for this $reed to decrease in

sie. The 6usco%y is "on "i%ed' s#eci&ens ha%in $een kno!n to $reed unti" they !ere

eiht or ten years of ae.

The Co"ored 6usco%y. A"thouh the standard ca""s for &ore or "ess !hite in differentsections of this %ariety' as a &atter of fact $reeders desire to et the $irds as dark as

#ossi$"e exce#t for a %ery s&a"" #atch of !hite on the $reast and a s&a"" #atch of !hite

on the center of the !in. Indeed' $irds !ithout the !hite on the $reast and !ith %ery"itt"e on the !in are %a"ua$"e $reeders since there is a tendency for too &uch !hite to

occur in the #"u&ae. 7ccasiona""y a"" $"ack $irds occur and these can $e used to

ad%antae in $reedin !hen there is a tendency to!ard too &uch !hite in #"u&ae.

P"u&ae &ore than ha"f !hite is a dis9ua"ification. The dark #"u&ae $irds such as are

!anted are %ery "ike"y to sho! considera$"e $"ack or y#sy co"or in the face !hich

shou"d $e a ood red. This &ust $e se"ected aainst insofar as #ossi$"e. The near"y $"ack

or the darkest $irds are 9uite "ike"y to sho! so&e !hite or ri"in on the head. ri"ed

or $ro!nish #enci"ed feathers so&eti&es occur in %arious #arts of the #"u&ae and &ust

of course $e uarded aainst as the &arkins shou"d $e distinct"y $"ack and !hite. The

$a$y ducks of this %ariety are 9uite a#t to sho! considera$"e !hite a"thouh the $est of

the& co&e ye""o!ish $"ack. This %ariety tends to run a "itt"e "arer in sie than the !hite%ariety a"thouh the standard !eihts are the sa&e for $oth. Dun or choco"ate co"ored

ducks so&eti&es co&e fro& Co"ored 6usco%ies !hi"e @"ue 6usco%ies can $e #roduced

$y crossin the Co"ored and the !hite %arieties.

The 8hite 6usco%y. This %ariety shou"d ha%e #ure !hite #"u&ae throuhout. 5oun

6usco%ies of $oth sexes often ha%e a #atch of $"ack on to# of the head u# to the ti&e

they &ou"t at &aturity. Since $"ack dis9ua"ifies it is iossi$"e to sho! youn ducks in

this condition $ut these $"ack feathers usua""y co&e in !hite after the &ou"t and such

$irds need not therefore $e discarded as $reeders. 8hen it is desired to sho! youn

8hite 6usco%ies !hich ha%e $"ack on the head it is custo&ary to #"uck these $"ack

feathers a sufficient ti&e $efore the sho! so that the !hite feathers !hich co&e in their

#"ace !i"" ha%e ti&e to ro! out. There is "itt"e or no trou$"e !ith $"ack or y#sy face in

this %ariety.

The @"ue S!edish. In ty#e and sie this $reed is a$out the sa&e as the Cayua a"thouh


15/65

#erha#s s"iht"y &ore u#standin. In se"ectin the &atin it is iortant to use $irds

!hich are c"ose to standard !eiht as there is so&e!hat of a tendency for the sie to $e

too s&a"". As its na&e indicates the co"or is "are"y $"ue exce#t for a !hite heart=sha#ed

#atch or $i$ !hich shou"d $e #resent on the $reast. So&eti&es this !hite extends a"on

the underside of the $ody fro& the under=$i"" a"&ost to the %ent. Such $irds are

undesira$"e as $reeders since they sho! too &uch !hite. 7n the other hand $irds "ackina #ro&inent !hite $i$ &ust a"so $e a%oided. T!o of the f"iht feathers shou"d $e !hite

and $irds "ackin these &ust $e a%oided. uard aainst any red' ray or $"ack in any #art

of the #"u&ae. So&eti&es' ho!e%er' $irds ha%in &ore or "ess $"ack throuhout the

#"u&ae are used as $reeders for the #ur#ose of strenthenin the $"ue co"or. A%oid any

tendency to!ard a ri$$on on the !in=$o! and a"so $irds that are too "iht' ashy or

!ashed out in the $"ue co"or.

So&eti&es $irds sho! "ines of !hite feathers around the eyes and o%er the head and theseshou"d $e se"ected aainst as $reeders as they are "ike"y to cause !hite s#"ashin in the

#"u&ae. 5e""o! or reenish $i""s &ust "ike!ise $e a%oided since the first of these is a

dis9ua"ification. In enera" this %ariety in $reedin $eha%es insofar as co"or is concerned'%ery &uch "ike the @"ue Anda"usian chicken.F1G The youn ducks !hen hatched are

ye""o! or crea&y $"ue and fro& $"ue &atins there are a"so #roduced $"ack and !hite

duck"ins. As in other co"ored $reeds and %arieties' the dark #in feathers are so&e!hat of

a disad%antae fro& a &arket stand#oint.

F;ootnote 1: ;or a detai"ed discussion of the $eha%iour of the @"ue Anda"usian in

$reedin' the reader is referred to The 6atin and @reedin of Pou"try $y Harry 6.

a&on and Ro$ R. S"ocu&' #u$"ished $y the 7rane udd Pu$"ishin Coany' 4e!

5ork City.G

The Crested 8hite. A"thouh not so "are' this $reed is &uch "ike the Pekin $ut !ith $ody

carried &ore near"y horionta" and !ith a crest on the head. The ty#e %aries considera$"y

ho!e%er' the #rinci#a" se"ection #racticed ha%in $een for crest. The #"u&ae is !hite in

co"or throuhout. 8hat is desired in the crest is to ha%e as "are a one as #ossi$"e' round

and #erfect in for&' and set s9uare"y on the head. 4ot infre9uent"y crooked crests occur

and a"so dou$"e or s#"it crests' that is to say' !here the crest is #arted or di%ided. In so&e

cases the crests &ay e%en co&e tre$"e' that is' s#"it into three #arts. Entire a$sence of

crest is $y no &eans unco&&on. In fact' it is considered a #retty ood #ro#ortion if one

ha"f of the ducks hatched ha%e crests a"thouh the &atins %ary considera$"y in this'

occasiona""y one #roducin #ractica""y (++3 of the offs#rin !ith crests. A%oid as

$reeders $irds !ith s&a"" crests' "o##ed crests' s#"it crests or sho!in an a$sence of crest.

A%oid a"so $reeders sho!in &ott"ed or reen $i""s in fe&a"es and $"ack $ean in the $i""of drakes.

The @uff. In ty#e this $reed is si&i"ar to the S!edish. As !i"" $e seen fro& the standard

!eihts it is one of the &ediu& sied $reeds and &akes a %ery nice &arket $ird as it


16/65

dresses out into a nice round fat carcass and is a ood "ayer. In co"or the $irds of $oth

sexes shou"d $e as unifor& a $uff as #ossi$"e exce#t that the head and u##er #art of the

neck in the drake shou"d $e sea" $ro!n !hen in fu"" #"u&ae. Co"or defects !hich are

"ike"y to $e encountered and !hich shou"d $e a%oided are the tendency for the head of the

drake to run to a chestnut co"or and for his neck to $e too "iht or faded out in co"or.

So&eti&es the head of the drake runs too dark in co"or a##roachin a reenish $"ack "ikethe head of the Rouen. This is of course undesira$"e. The !ins of $oth sexes are a#t to

run to "iht or e%en in so&e cases' #ure !hite f"ihts. @"ue !in $ars are so&eti&es

sho!n and these &ust $e carefu""y a%oided. Penci"in such as is found in the ;a!n and

8hite Runner so&eti&es occurs and since it is a serious defect &ust $e riid"y uarded

aainst. Any tendency to!ard a !hite $i$ or a !hite rin around the neck of $oth sexes

&ust "ike!ise $e a%oided. reenish or &ott"ed $i""s &ust $e a%oided in ducks !hich are

to $e used as $reeders. 4ot &uch trou$"e is ex#erienced in the $i"" of drakes !hich as a

ru"e co&es ood. Any $"ue cast in the feathers on the ru and $ack of $oth sexes &ust

$e se"ected aainst. As a ru"e the fe&a"es of this $reed tend to $e $etter co"ored than the

&a"es. At certain #eriods of the &ou"t the head co"orin of the drakes $eco&es a ood

$uff co"or and "ater !hen the &ou"t is co"ete' it chanes to a co##er co"or. 8henhatched the duck"ins are a crea&y ye""o!.

The Runner. The ty#e of this $reed is 9uite different fro& that of the other $reed of ducks

and ty#e is %ery iortant. The Runner !ants to $e decided"y u#standin and to $e %ery

reachy. It shou"d ha%e %ery s"i& s"ender "ines. The neck shou"d $e straiht and the head

shou"d $e carried at riht an"es to the neck. The $i"" shou"d $e #erfect"y straiht on to#

and on a "ine !ith the sku"" sho!in a$so"ute"y no tendency to $e dished. The "es of this

$reed are "oner than those of other ducks and this accounts for the fact that they run

rather than !add"e !hen they &o%e a$out. It is fro& this fact that they et their na&e.

They are %ery acti%e and are trou$"eso&e a$out cra!"in throuh fences. They are ood"ayers and non=sitters and they ha%e often $een ca""ed the ehorns of the duck fa&i"y. It

&ust $e re&e&$ered' ho!e%er' that !hi"e they ha%e the inherent a$i"ity to "ay as !e"" as

hens they !i"" do this on"y !hen they recei%e #ro#er feed and care. It is 9uite use"ess to

ex#ect a hih e yie"d fro& the& !hen they are care"ess"y fed and iro#er"y housedand cared for. A%oid as $reeders ducks of $oth sexes that are too hea%y $ehind' or in other

!ords' are too hea%y=$otto&ed. A%oid $irds !hich are too short in "es. A%oid crooked or

shar# $acks. Round heads &ust "ike!ise $e a%oided.

The ;a!n and 8hite Runner. In this %ariety the &arkins &ust $e %ery distinct and

definite. There is a tendency !hich &ust $e a%oided for the head to run to $"ack instead

of chestnut' es#ecia""y in &a"es. It is "ike!ise necessary to a%oid fe&a"es !hich tend to

sho! #enci"in on the sides of the $reast or on the !in=$o!s. These defects are a#t to $e

associated !ith co"ored f"iht feathers !hich is a"so a defect to $e a%oided. uard aainst

too &uch fa!n extendin u# the neck fro& the $ody to the head as the neck shou"d $e

!hite in co"or. Too dark tai" co%erts a##roachin a reenish $"ack so&eti&es occur and

are undesira$"e. In ty#e this %ariety !i"" not a%erae 9uite as ood as the 8hite.


17/65

The 8hite Runner. This %ariety is $est in ty#e and it "ike!ise runs ood in co"or !hich

shou"d $e !hite throuhout. So&eti&es forein co"or !i"" $e sho!n in the $ack of

fe&a"es and this of course &ust $e a%oided. A"so a%oid $irds as $reeders !ith reen or

&ott"ed $i""s.

The Penci"ed Runner. In ty#e this %ariety runs a$out the sa&e as the ;a!n and 8hite.

The co"or co&$ination is rather difficu"t to $reed as it is hard to et the ood #enci"in

desired in the fe&a"e toether !ith the !hite &arkins. In enera"' in $reedin this

%ariety there is a tendency to #ay &ore attention to ty#e than to co"or. The #enci"in is

"ike that of the Rouen $ut "ihter in co"or consistin of a $ro!n #enci"in on a fa!n

co"ored round. A%oid any rayish sti##"in on the $reast of the drake and a"so on the

!in=$o!s. These defects are "ike"y to $e associated !ith co"ored f"ihts !hich areundesira$"e. The co"ored #ortion of the head of the drake is darker than that of the duck in

this %ariety. A%oid "ack of !hite on the neck in $oth sexes and a%oid fe&a"es !hich are

"ackin in #enci"in.

Pre#arin Ducks for the Sho!. Aside fro& se"ectin the indi%idua"s !hich &ost near"y

a##roach the standard re9uire&ents there is %ery "itt"e !hich can $e done in the !ay of

#re#arin the $irds for the sho! as these fo!"s are #ractica""y se"f=#re#ared. ;or a #eriod

of at "east a !eek or ten days $efore they are shi##ed to the sho! those intended for

exhi$ition shou"d $e i%en access to a rass rane and a"so if #ossi$"e to runnin !ater.

The rass rane !i"" kee# the& in ood condition and the runnin !ater !i"" a""o! the&

to c"ean the&se"%es. Any $roken feathers shou"d $e #"ucked at "east six !eeks $efore the

$irds are to $e sho!n in order to a""o! the feathers ti&e enouh to ro! out aain. It

&ust $e re&e&$ered that &ost ducks after ettin in a ood condition of f"esh do nottend to ho"d this for a %ery "on #eriod $ut soon ro! thinner aain and !i"" not take on

fat the second ti&e for so&e "itt"e #eriod.

7ften there !i"" $e a difference in !eiht as hih as 1 #ounds !hen a duck is in ood

condition and after it has thinned. In order to ha%e the ducks in to# for&' therefore' it is

necessary to $rin the& u# to f"esh at the #ro#er ti&e. In order to $rin ducks !hich are

to $e exhi$ited u# to standard !eiht' they shou"d $e fed t!ice dai"y' for at "east (+ days

$efore shi##in' a rain &ixture consistin of one #art corn and t!o #arts oats. i%e the&

a"" they !i"" eat of this &ixture. 8ith Runners and the s&a"" $reeds of ducks there is a

daner of their #uttin on too &uch !eiht if corn is used in the ration and it is therefore

$est to i%e the& oats a"one. 8hen the $irds are shi##ed to the sho! they are 9uite "ike"y

to et their #"u&ae soi"ed durin the ?ourney. 8hen this occurs fi"" a $arre" a$out ha"ffu"" of !ater. Then as the ducks are taken out of the shi##in coo#s take three of the& at a

ti&e' #ut the& in the $arre" and co%er it o%er' "ea%in the& for a fe! &inutes. 8hen they

are taken out they !i"" usua""y $e c"ean.


18/65

Catchin and Hand"in Ducks

Ducks shou"d ne%er $e cauht $y the "es !hich are short and !eak and are %ery "ike"y to

$e in?ured. ;or the sa&e reason they shou"d ne%er $e carried $y the "es. Ducks shou"d $e

cauht $y the neck' ras#in the& ?ust $e"o! the head. They can $e carried shortdistances !ithout in?ury in this !ay $ut it is not ad%isa$"e to carry fat ducks $y the neck

for any considera$"e distance. The $est !ay to hand"e the& is to catch the& $y the neck'

then carry the& on the ar& !ith the "es in the hand ?ust as one !ou"d carry a chicken.

See ;i. (2. A scoo# net a$out (, inches in dia&eter and !ith a six foot hand"e can a"so

$e used to exce""ent ad%antae in catchin ducks.

Packin and Shi##in Hatchin Es

Es for hatchin &ust $e shi##ed !hen they are fresh as duck es tend to deteriorate in

9ua"ity 9uite ra#id"y. They &ay $e shi##ed fair"y "on distances. Shi#&ent &ay $e &ade

either $y ex#ress or $y Parce" Post. In order to #re%ent $reakae and to "essen the effects

of the ?ar to !hich the es are su$?ected durin shi#&ent' they &ust $e carefu""y #acked.

7ne of the $est &ethods is to use an ordinary &arket $asket. ine the $asket !e"" on the

$otto& and sides !ith exce"sior. 8ra# each e in #a#er and then !ra# in exce"sior so

that there !i"" $e a ood thick cushion of exce"sior $et!een the es and they !i"" not $e

a""o!ed to co&e in contact !ith one another. Pack the es in the $asket secure"y

standin the& on end so that they cannot &o%e or shift around. Co%er the to# of the es

!ith a thick "ayer of exce"sior usin enouh so that it runs u# !e"" a$o%e the sides of the

$asket. 7%er the to# se! a #iece of stron cotton c"oth. Instead of se!in the c"oth it can$e #ushed u# under the outside ri& of the $asket !ith a case knife' this $ein 9uicker and

e9ua""y as effecti%e as se!in. _

_ PART I. DUCKS

CHAPTER III. Co&&ercia" Duck ;ar&in==ocation

Co&&ercia" Duck ;ar&in==ocation==Esti&ate of E9ui#&ent and Ca#ita" 4ecessary in

Startin the @usiness

Distri$ution. Co&&ercia" Duck far&in is confined %ery "are"y to the sections !ithin

easy shi##in distance of the "arer cities. A reat &a?ority of these far&s are "ocated

a$out 4e! 5ork City' #articu"ar"y on on Is"and. So&e duck far&s are "ocated on the

Pacific Coast and a fe! co&&ercia" #"ants are scattered a$out here and there throuhout

the country. The sie of these far&s ranes a"" the !ay fro& #"ants !ith an out#ut of

2'+++ or (+'+++ duck"ins u# to those !ith an out#ut around (++'+++ year"y.


19/65

Stock Used. The stock used on the co&&ercia" duck #"ants of the United States consists

exc"usi%e"y of the Pekin. The reasons for the use of this #articu"ar $reed are the fact that it

has !hite #"u&ae and therefore dresses out !e""' that it is of ood sie' that its e

#roduction is ood' and that it &akes 9uick ro!th.

ocation of P"ant. 7n on Is"and the co&&ercia" duck #"ants are "ocated a"on the

strea&s' es#ecia""y those on the southern shore of the Is"and' !hich ety into the

%arious $ays. ocations a"on these strea&s are not easy to secure at the #resent ti&e

o!in to the fact that duck far&s are not a""o!ed in &any sections !here su&&er ho&es

ha%e $een $ui"t. A !ater site of this sort is %ery %a"ua$"e' a"thouh not a$so"ute"y

essentia"' since it #ro%ides !ater yards for the $reedin ducks and for the fattenin

duck"ins if desired' and reduces the "a$or and cost of e9ui#&ent &ateria""y since theducks a"!ays ha%e access to !ater and no additiona" #ro%ision need $e &ade to #ro%ide

the& !ith drinkin !ater. It a"so ena$"es the ducks to kee# their #"u&ae c"ean. Usua""y

these "ocations are on fresh !ater strea&s $ut so&e of the& are further out to!ard the$ay !here the !ater is sa"ty or at "east $rackish.

The &ature ducks thri%e !e"" on the sa"t !ater and do not ha%e to $e furnished !ith fresh

drinkin !ater in addition. ;or the youn ducks' ho!e%er' !ith a sa"t !ater "ocation it is

necessary to #ro%ide fresh drinkin !ater. A fe! far&s in other sections of the country

are !hat are kno!n as dry "and far&s' that is to say' they are not situated on the $ank of a

strea&. In such "ocations runnin !ater is carried throuh the yards so that the ducks

ha%e an a"e su##"y of drinkin !ater and in so&e cases artificia" #onds are constructed

to #ro%ide !ater in !hich the $reedin ducks can s!i&. ;or&er"y the idea !as

uni%ersa""y he"d that s!i&&in !ater !as essentia" for the $reeders in order to secure

ood ferti"ity' and &any duck far&ers sti"" $e"ie%e that $etter resu"ts can $e secured in this!ay. 7n so&e of the dry "and duck far&s' ho!e%er' $reedin ducks are successfu""y ke#t

!ithout such s!i&&in #"aces. The youn &arket duck"ins do not re9uire !ater to

s!i& in a"thouh so&e raisers #refer to ha%e it and it is co&&on"y a""o!ed !here readi"y

a%ai"a$"e. 7n the dry "and far&s #ro%ision is &ade si"y for a continuous su##"y of

fresh drinkin !ater for the fattenin duck"ins. Duck"ins ke#t out of the !ater' do not

take as &uch exercise and' in conse9uence' fatten a "itt"e &ore readi"y.

6akin a Start in Duck ;ar&in

Duck far&s or #"ants are so&eti&es o#erated on a considera$"e sca"e at the $einnin' the

#"ans $ein carefu""y "aid $y so&e ex#erienced duck &an. In these cases' o#erations at

the start &ay $e of sufficient &anitude so that the out#ut !i"" a&ount to (2'+++ or

*+'+++ duck"ins in a year. In &ost cases' ho!e%er' these #"aces ha%e $een the resu"t of a

&ore radua" ro!th fro& a s&a"" $einnin' a condition &ade necessary either $y the


20/65

inex#erience of the ro!er or $y "ack of ca#ita". 4ot infre9uent"y &en enaed in other

for&s of far&in $ut #ossessin a suita$"e "ocation !i"" kee# *++ or 1++ $reedin ducks

and fro& this radua""y $ui"d u# a ood sied duck #"ant.

E9ui#&ent' Ca#ita"' etc. Re9uired. The esti&ates i%en as to the a&ount of e9ui#&entand ca#ita" re9uired are $ased on the assution that a #"ant is to $e o#erated of

sufficient sie to ha%e a year"y out#ut of a$out 1+'+++ duck"ins. It &ust $e understood in

this connection that "ocation and %arious other conditions or circu&stances !i"" inf"uence

the cost of different ite&s of e9ui#&ent and for this reason these esti&ates &ust not $e

considered as a$so"ute $ut shou"d rather ser%e as a uide or $asis on !hich to fiure. The

fiures here i%en conte"ate the $ui"din u# of an esta$"ish&ent !hich is efficient $ut

!hich is in no #articu"ar e"a$orate' the $ui"dins and other e9ui#&ent $ein as si"e and

inex#ensi%e as #ossi$"e.

ay=out or Arrane&ent of the P"ant. The #"ant &ust $e carefu""y #"anned so as to &akethe $est #ossi$"e use of the "and and #articu"ar"y of the !ater frontae. It is #articu"ar"y

iortant to arrane the $ui"dins in such a &anner as to cut do!n "a$or as &uch as

#ossi$"e. If there is any ex#ectation of en"arin the ca#acity at so&e future ti&e' this

&ust a"so $e $orne in &ind in the arrane&ent of the %arious $ui"dins and yards. The

incu$ator ce""ar shou"d $e con%enient to the 4o. ( $rooder house and the %arious $rooder

houses to one another. The $rooder house &ust "ike!ise $e con%enient to the ro!in and

fattenin houses and yards and these in turn to the ki""in house. The feed roo& shou"d $e

centra""y "ocated so as to sa%e "a$or as &uch as #ossi$"e in feedin the ducks.

and Re9uired. ;or a duck #"ant of the sie indicated (+ acres of "and shou"d $e a"e.This' ho!e%er' &eans that no effort !ou"d $e &ade to ro! any of the feed for the ducks

or duck"ins !ith the exce#tion of reen feed. In so&e cases !here the "ay of the "and is

unusua""y fa%ora$"e so that the #"ant can $e "aid out to the %ery $est ad%antae' a s&a""er

a&ount of round than this &iht $e sufficient $ut it is not !e"" to fiure on "ess than (+

acres.

4u&$er of @reeders Re9uired. 8ith the usua" &ethods of &anae&ent and !ith ood

success' one &ay esti&ate that /+ youn ducks can $e &arketed each year fro& each$reedin fe&a"e. This is a ood a%erae a"thouh in so&e ood years duck raisers !i"" do

a "itt"e $etter than this. 7n the other hand in #oor years they !i"" not do so !e"". ;or a

#"ant ha%in an out#ut of 1+'+++ &arket ducks there !ou"d therefore $e needed in the

neih$orhood of ,++ $reedin ducks in addition to (++ drakes.

Housin Re9uired for @reeders. In fiurin on the a&ount of housin re9uired for this

nu&$er of $reedin ducks' it is necessary to fiure on *=(* to 1 s9uare feet of f"oor s#ace


21/65

#er $ird' 1 s9uare feet $ein $etter than *=(*. This !ou"d re9uire a housin s#ace *+ feet

dee# $y (*+ feet "on. Ho!e%er ducks are not usua""y housed in one $ui"din of this sie'

and in fact it is $etter not to do so since the s&a""er the f"ock of $reeders ke#t toether the

$etter they !i"" do. In no case shou"d a duck raiser run &ore than /++ ducks in a f"ock

and it is %ery &uch $etter to run the& in #ens of (++ each. In fact' so&e $reeders do not

#"ace &ore than *2 to 2+ $reedin ducks in a #en.

Incu$ator Ca#acity. Incu$ators are used exc"usi%e"y for hatchin the es. At the #resent

ti&e in #ractica""y a"" cases so&e for& of hot !ater &a&&oth incu$ator is uti"ied for

this #ur#ose. An in%est&ent is re9uired $oth in incu$ators and in a ce""ar in !hich to

o#erate the&. In fiurin on the incu$ator ca#acity necessary to take care of a #ro#osition

of this sie' it is necessary to $ase the esti&ate on the nu&$er of es #roduced durin

the season of f"ush #roduction. The duck raiser fiures on incu$atin a"" es suita$"e forthe #ur#ose rather than to se"" any of the& for other #ur#oses as there is a reater #rofit in

rearin and &arketin the duck"ins. ;or that reason he &ust ha%e incu$ator ca#acity

enouh to take care of a"" the es "aid at any ti&e of the year. Durin the season of f"ush#roduction the yie"d !i"" ordinari"y run in the neih$orhood of ,+3. The #eriod of

incu$ation is *, days $ut * days &ore shou"d $e added to this to a""o! for c"eanin out

the &achines' etc.' $efore startin another hatch. This &eans that there !ou"d $e 1+ days

$et!een hatches. ;iurin on ,++ ducks !ith an ,+3 #roduction for 1+ days an incu$ator

ca#acity of around ()'*++ es !ou"d $e re9uired.

@rooder Ca#acity. A $rooder house ca#acity' !here artificia" heat can $e su##"ied'

sufficient to take care of a$out ha"f of the tota" out#ut of the #"ant at one ti&e is

necessary. This &eans there !ou"d ha%e to $e on this #"ant a heated $rooder house

ca#acity for (2'+++ duck"ins. A$out ha"f of this nu&$er or -2++ !ou"d needacco&&odations in the nu&$er ( or !ar&est $rooder house !here the heat can $e ke#t

u# to 2 or -+ derees in the house itse"f' and !ar&er of course under the ho%er. The

other -2++ duck"ins ca#acity !ou"d $e in the nu&$er * house' that is' a house !here

heat cou"d $e su##"ied in the ear"y s#rin and !here the teerature cou"d $e run u# to

+ derees. Ho%ers in such a house are not rea""y needed $ut it is co&&on to co%er the

hot !ater#i#es !ith a #"atfor& in order to #ro%ide a run!ay on !hich one can run a

!hee" $arro! and thus si"ify feedin. 7rdinari"y after 6ay ( no heat is needed in the

nu&$er * $rooder house. The youn ducks are usua""y * to 1 !eeks o"d !hen they o into

the nu&$er * house and they stay there for a$out * !eeks de#endin on the !eather. Heat

for the $rooder houses is su##"ied $y &eans of hot !ater #i#es and a coa" $urnin sto%e

such as are used in $rooder houses for chickens. A nu&$er 1 or co"d $rooder house is a"so

needed !here duck"ins can $e housed and can $e dri%en in at niht and in co"d !eather

after they ha%e raduated fro& the nu&$er * house. ;ro& the nu&$er 1 house a #art of

the duck"ins are taken direct"y to the yards !here they are housed in o#en front sheds.

;attenin Houses or Sheds. In addition to the $rooder houses' there are re9uired fattenin


22/65

houses or sheds for the ducks !hen they are &o%ed fro& the 4o. 1 $rooder house to the

yards. Suita$"e houses for this #ur#ose are ( feet dee# $y */ feet "on. In front they are

2 feet hih and in the rear 1=(* feet. They are set on #osts !ith a $ase $oard around to

&ake the& tiht. The fronts are entire"y o#en and #ro%ided !ith curtains !hich are used

on"y in the !inter to kee# out the sno!. The duck"ins are shut in these houses !hen

desired $y &eans of !ire #ane"s !hich c"ose the "o!er #art of the front. Houses such asdescri$ed are di%ided into t!o #arts and each side !i"" acco&&odate *++ duck"ins.

;eed Storae. Considera$"e feed storae roo& is necessary as it is %ery desira$"e to $e

a$"e to $uy feed in 9uantity and a"so to carry a considera$"e stock on hand in order to

offset the #ossi$i"ity of not $ein a$"e to secure feed at any ti&e. There shou"d $e storae

ca#acity for / cars of 1+ tons each' in other !ords' for (*+ tons of feed. Sti"" reater

ca#acity than this is desira$"e. In connection !ith the feed storae there shou"d $e a #"ace!here the feed can $e &ixed and !here feed can $e cooked. T!o #o!er o#erated feed

&ixers are re9uired as one is not sufficient durin the $usy season to a""o! the &ixin

and feedin of the &ash for $oth the $reeders and the youn stock at the sa&e ti&e. Afeed cutter is necessary in #re#arin the reen feed !hich is &ixed in the &ash. The usua"

ty#e of kett"e feed cooker is co&&on"y used for $oi"in fish and #re#arin other cooked

feeds $ut in its #"ace a s&a"" four=horse stea& $oi"er can $e uti"ied to ood ad%antae as

this &akes it #ossi$"e to cook the feed riht in the &ixer $y usin a stea& hose.

Ki""in and Pickin House. A ki""in and #ickin house !here the ducks can $e #re#ared

for &arket is another necessary $ui"din $ut this need not $e an ex#ensi%e $ui"din. It

&ust $e "ocated !ith reference to its con%enience to the rest of the #"ant. It is a"so

desira$"e to "ocate it o%er a s#rin if one is a%ai"a$"e for the s#rin !ater can $e used to

exce""ent ad%antae in coo"in the dressed duck"ins. 8hen a s#rin is not a%ai"a$"e!ater &ust $e #i#ed to this $ui"din. The ki""in house is usua""y $ui"t !ith at "east one

side o#en or #art"y o#en. A #"ace is #ro%ided outside the #ickin roo& !here the ducks

can $e hun and $"ed. Inside roo& is re9uired for six or eiht #ickers. A kett"e for heatin

!ater to $e used in sca"din the ducks is necessary as are a"so tanks in !hich to #"ace the

ducks after they are #icked. Additiona" roo& is needed !here the ducks can $e !eihed

and #acked ready for shi#&ent.

Residence. In addition to the other $ui"dins enu&erated' a residence !ou"d of course $e

necessary. The sie and e"a$orateness of this and conse9uent"y its cost de#ends entire"y

u#on the o!ner>s needs and !ishes.

Horse Po!er. 7ne horse and !aon for the #ur#ose of dra!in the feed a$out the #"ant

and for certain other necessary !ork !ou"d $e re9uired. If the o!ner desires to do his

o!n hau"in of the feed fro& the rai"road and the other necessary truckin he !ou"d' of

course' ha%e to kee# &ore horses' a tea& at "east' or an auto&o$i"e truck. 8here on"y one


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horse is ke#t' this truckin &ust $e hired done.

;eedin Track. 7n &any of the "arer duck far&s' a feed track is e"oyed in feedin the

stock. Such a track consists of a fra&e!ork of sufficient strenth to su##ort a car fi""ed

!ith &ash !hich is #ushed a"on the track $y hand. The track "eads fro& the feed &ixeracross the %arious yards !here the ducks to $e fed are "ocated' inc"udin $oth the

$reedin ducks' yard ducks and $rooder ducks in yards. This in%o"%es a considera$"e

a&ount of trackae !hich &ust $e fair"y "e%e" and !hich runs o%er the yard fences or

a"on the ends of the yards so that the feed can $e sho%e"ed direct"y fro& the car into the

feedin trays in the yards. The use of a feed track si"ifies the feedin considera$"y $ut

its construction is 9uite ex#ensi%e. 8here a track is not used' the feed as &ixed is

dued into a "o! !aon !hich is dri%en a"on the yards' or throuh the& $y re&o%in

&o%a$"e #ane"s in the fences and the feed sho%e"ed fro& the !aon to the feed trays.

E"ectric ihts. 6ost duck far&s at the #resent ti&e are "ocated !here e"ectric "ihtin isa%ai"a$"e. It is desira$"e and in fact a"&ost necessary to ha%e the %arious houses !ired so

that "ihts can $e turned on !hen desired. In addition' "ihts are usua""y #ro%ided in the

yards for fattenin ducks and are used at niht and es#ecia""y durin stor&s to kee# the

ducks fro& staedin.

8ater Su##"y. An ade9uate !ater su##"y is essentia". This !i"" consist of a !e"" or s#rin

furnishin an a"e a&ount of !ater' a #o!er #u and a !ater su##"y tank. ;ro& the

tank' the !ater &ust $e #i#ed to the incu$ator ce""ar' the $rooder houses' the ki""in

house' the feed house and to any of the yards !here the ducks do not ha%e access to a

natura" su##"y of ood !ater. In addition' of course' the !ater fro& the sa&e tank isusua""y used to su##"y the residence.

;ences. 4ot a reat dea" of in%est&ent is necessary in fences since the yards are rather

s&a"" and the fences are "o!. T!o=foot fences of t!o=inch &esh !ire are used for the

yard ducks !hi"e for the "itt"e ducks (,=inch !ire of one=inch &esh is used. The $iest

ite&s of ex#ense connected !ith the fences are the cost of the stakes or #osts used in their

construction and the "a$or used in this !ork. The #ortion of the yards extendin into the

!ater are the &ost trou$"eso&e and &ost ex#ensi%e to $ui"d. In so&e cases' rathere"a$orate !ooden #icket fences are used in the !ater yards. These are &ore #er&anent

$ut are &ore ex#ensi%e to $ui"d.

a$or. ;or a #"ant of the sie indicated there !ou"d $e re9uired in addition to an acti%e

!orkin #ro#rietor three other &en. 7ne &an !ou"d $e needed to o#erate the incu$ators'

one &an !ou"d de%ote his ti&e to the $rooder houses' one &an !ou"d feed the yard

ducks and the fattenin #ens' and one &an !ou"d do the ki""in and #ackin' take care of


24/65

the feathers' c"ean the yards' etc. 7f course' there !ou"d $e #eriods !hen these &en

!ou"d not ha%e their entire ti&e taken u# !ith their #articu"ar duties and this !ou"d

#er&it the& to turn in and he"# !ith the &isce""aneous !ork on the #"ant.

In addition to the reu"ar &en e"oyed' additiona" "a$or !ou"d $e necessary to do the

#ickin. ;or this #ur#ose #ickers are usua""y $rouht in and !ork $y the #iece. Durin thes#rin of ()*+ these #ickers recei%ed six cents #er duck and they !i"" a%erae a$out -2

ducks a day' $einnin !ork at in the &ornin and finishin $y noon or a "itt"e "ater.

So&e #ickers !i"" a%erae as hih as (++ ducks a day. In the $usy season fro& ,++ to

(*++ ducks !i"" $e &arketed #er !eek and the usua" #ractice is to ki"" and #ick not o%er

three days a !eek' usua""y durin the first #art of the !eek.

In%ested Ca#ita". In%est&ent in the $usiness exc"usi%e of !orkin ca#ita"' that is to say'

the &oney in the "and and $ui"dins and other e9ui#&ent !ou"d re9uire under #resent

conditions a$out 0('+++ for each thousand ducks &arketed. In other !ords' in a #"ant of

this sie' c"ose to 01+'+++ !ou"d $e in%ested. The a&ount of in%ested ca#ita" de#ends toso&e extent u#on "ocation and u#on the e"a$orateness of the $ui"dins and other

e9ui#&ent $ut !ith a !e"" "aid out econo&ica" #"ant an in%est&ent of the sie indicated

shou"d $e sufficient.

8orkin Ca#ita". In addition to the ca#ita" in%ested in the #"ant there !ou"d $e re9uired a

considera$"e a&ount of !orkin ca#ita". ;ro& the first of 4o%e&$er to the $einnin of

the &arketin of the ducks there !ou"d $e re9uired fro& 0'+++ to 0,'+++ !ith !hich to

#urchase feed' &eet the #ay ro""' and for other runnin ex#enses. E%en after the

&arketin $eins there !ou"d $e a #eriod of fro& a &onth to six !eeks !hen the

ex#enses !i"" continue to $e reater than the recei#ts so that so&e additiona" ca#ita"&iht $e necessary. Ho!e%er' returns !ou"d $ein to co&e in !hich cou"d $e used to

take care of the &ore #ressin current o$"iations so that additiona" !orkin ca#ita"

!hich &iht $e needed o%er that indicated !ou"d not $e "are.

Profits. The #rofits in co&&ercia" duck raisin %ary !ide"y' as &ust $e ex#ected'

de#endin u#on the &anae&ent' u#on the season and u#on #rices recei%ed. After

deductin a"" o%erhead chares and interest on the in%est&ent' the net return #er duck

shou"d $e at "east (+ cents #er duck"in &arketed. In fact the return shou"d $e (2 cents to#ro%ide &uch induce&ent to enae in the $usiness. So&e seasons the returns !i"" run

reater than this $ut on the other hand' there is a"!ays the chance of occasiona" $i

"osses. _

_ PART I. DUCKS

CHAPTER IB. Co&&ercia" Duck ;ar&in==6anae&ent of the @reedin Stock


25/65

Ae of @reeders. 7n &ost "are co&&ercia" duck #"ants the entire $reedin stock is

rene!ed each year. In other !ords' the $reeders are ke#t on"y throuh their first "ayin

season. This &akes it necessary to se"ect fro& the youn stock reared and sa%e for

$reeders as &any head as it is desired to carry for the co&in year. This #ractice is used

for the reason that ducks "ay $est durin their first year. Therefore' since it is desired to

kee# u# the &axi&u& e #roduction in order to raise as &any &arket ducks as #ossi$"e'youn $reeders are considered $etter. So&e raisers' ho!e%er' kee# a #art of their $reedin

ducks for t!o years and occasiona""y for 1 or e%en / years $ut this is not the usua"

#ractice. Recent coarison &ade $et!een youn and t!o year o"d ducks as $reeders

!ou"d see& to indicate that duck"ins hatched fro& the es of the "atter "i%e a "itt"e

$etter.

Distinuishin 5oun fro& 7"d Ducks. In this connection it is of interest to kno! ho!youn ducks can $e readi"y distinuished fro& the o"der $irds. The youn ducks ha%e

$riht ye""o! "es and $i""s !hi"e the o"d ducks after a #eriod of "ayin' "ose a

considera$"e a&ount of the ye""o! fro& these sections. In addition' soon after the ducks$ein to "ay' their $i""s as a ru"e !i"" $ein to $e streaked !ith $"ack. 5oun ducks can

a"so $e to"d fro& the o"d ducks $y fee"in of the end of the $reast $one !hich runs to a

#oint at the a$do&en. In the o"der ducks this is hard !hi"e in the youn ducks it is rist"y

and $ends easi"y. The !ind#i#e of an o"d duck is hard and rather difficu"t to coress or

dent !hi"e in the youn duck it is softer and easi"y dented.

Se"ection of @reedin Ducks. The $reeders are usua""y se"ected fro& the duck"ins !hich

reach &arket ae fro& the "ast !eek in une throuh u"y. As these "ots $eco&e ready for

&arket and are dri%en into the #ens to $e s"auhtered each duck is hand"ed and any

es#ecia""y ood $irds !hich the #ro#rietor thinks !i"" &ake ood $reeders are thro!n outat this ti&e.

In &akin se"ection of $reeders those are chosen !hich are hea"thy and thrifty and !hich

ha%e ood !ide' "on and dee# $odies. Ducks !ith crooked !ins' crooked tai"s' hu

$acks or #add"e "es are re?ected for this #ur#ose. After the youn ducks for $reeders are

se"ected they are #ut in a yard or fattenin #en unti" the nu&$er !hich the o!ner ex#ects

to kee# is co"ete. These youn $reeders enera""y $ein to &ou"t soon after they are

se"ected and fro& this ti&e on they are fed !ho"e corn and #"enty of reen feed unti" it is

ti&e to $ein feedin the "ayin ration. So&e of the $reedin ducks !i"" usua""y $ein to

"ay a$out Dece&$er ( a"thouh they !i"" not "ay hea%i"y at that ti&e. The "ayin ration

descri$ed "ater shou"d $e $eun a$out that ti&e or a cou#"e of !eeks ear"ier.

4u&$er of ;e&a"es to a Drake. As a ru"e on co&&ercia" duck far&s the $irds are &ated

in the #ro#ortion of a$out one drake to se%en ducks. This #ro#ortion !i"" %ary to so&e

extent under different &ethods of &anae&ent and !eather conditions and &ay run a""

the !ay fro& ( to 2 to ( to ,. The s&a""er nu&$er of drakes shou"d $e used "ate in the


26/65

season !hi"e the "arer nu&$er !i"" i%e $etter ferti"ity ear"y in the $reedin season.

Since the drakes do not fiht serious"y' f"ock &atins can $e &ade. @etter resu"ts !i"" $e

o$tained fro& s&a""er f"ocks than fro& "are f"ocks and there !i"" a"so $e "ess cracked

es and "ess %ery dirty es fro& the s&a""er f"ocks. @efore the ducks are "et out in the

&ornin there is a tendency for the& to run $ack and forth throuh the #ens' and in this!ay they tra o%er &any of the es !hich are "aid any!here a$out the f"oor. The

"arer the f"ock the &ore cracked and dirty es !i"" resu"t. 8hi"e the drakes do not fiht

each other they do at ti&es in?ure and ki"" the ducks to so&e extent !hen three or four

drakes &ay chase one duck. In this !ay they &ay in?ure the ducks> $acks and often #ick

their eyes and necks. 8hene%er a duck is found !hich is in?ured she shou"d $e re&o%ed

fro& the f"ock. Difficu"ty of this sort is &ost #re%a"ent a$out the (st of 6arch. If the

trou$"e ets %ery $ad it can $e sto##ed to so&e extent $y cuttin $ack the u##er $i""s of

the drakes a$out one=fourth of an inch !ith a tinsni# or $y reducin the #ro#ortion ofdrakes.

Securin @reedin Drakes. It is co&&on #ractice on duck #"ants to a%oid in$reedin $y

securin drakes fro& so&e other f"ock each year. This is usua""y acco"ished $y $uyin

the drakes outriht fro& so&e neih$orin duck far&er. It &ay a"so $e acco"ished $y

#urchasin a fe! es for hatchin in order to secure ne! $"ood. In any #articu"ar

co&&unity there is a tendency for the duck far&ers to trade $reedin drakes a&on

the&se"%es for a #eriod of years !ith the resu"t that they a"" ha%e &uch the sa&e $"ood

and not a reat dea" of $enefit is o$tained fro& securin the drakes fro& so&e neih$or>s

f"ock. It is undou$ted"y ood #ractice to o farther afie"d occasiona""y for a su##"y of

$reedin drakes. In #urchasin stock for ne! $"ood $e sure that it is as ood as the ho&e

stock and $etter if it can $e found. It !i"" do no ood to #urchase and use inferior stock

and &ay do &uch har&.

Houses and 5ards for @reeders

The $reedin f"ocks are usua""y confined to $reedin yards. The sie of these yards

de#ends u#on the sie of the $reedin f"ock $ut "are yards are not re9uired. A yard for

*++ $reeders is not as a ru"e "arer than (++ $y *++ feet inc"udin the !ater #art of the

yard. Houses and yards shou"d $e "ocated on sand if #ossi$"e as this is easier to kee#

c"ean and therefore kee#s the $irds in $etter condition. 7ccasiona" f"ocks of $reedin

ducks are a""o!ed their "i$erty $ut this is not co&&on #ractice nor is it ood #ractice

un"ess the surroundins are c"ean and the ducks do not ha%e access to stanant &ud or

refuse in !hich they can !ork. If ducks !ork too &uch in this kind of &ateria" they !i""

eat &ore or "ess of it !hich in?ures the es for hatchin #ur#oses.


27/65

6any different sty"es of houses are used for $reeders' so&e of !hich are decided"y &ore

e"a$orate than is necessary. A %ery satisfactory econo&ica" house is one *+ feet dee#' -

feet hih in front and / feet at $ack' !ith a shed roof. This can $e constructed of tonue

and roo%e &ateria" or &ay $e &ade of un&atched stuff and co%ered !ith #a#er. A house

of this #ro#ortion &akes a ood "iht house and it can $e carried in "enth accordin to

the sie of the f"ock. ;or a $reedin unit of *++ ducks' !hich is a ood unit to use' ahouse *+ feet dee# and 1+ to /+ feet "on is suita$"e. 4o f"oor is used in the house $ut it

shou"d $e !e"" fi""ed u# !ith dirt so that the !ater !i"" not co&e in.

7ne or &ore ood sied o#enins are "eft in the front of the $reedin house for

%enti"ation' or !indo!s &ay $e #"aced in the front !hich can $e used for this #ur#ose.

ood %enti"ation is necessary. Additiona" %enti"ation is secured fro& the doors. If the

!eather is &i"d the doors are "eft #art"y o#en' if co"d they are near"y c"osed' !hi"e !hen

the !eather is hot they are "eft entire"y o#en. A ood sche&e is to use a sort of Dutchdoor so that the $otto& or to# ha"f can $e o#ened inde#endent"y. In this !ay the to# #art

of the doors can $e "eft o#en so as to "et in the sun"iht and sti"" kee# the ducks in the

house or the to# &ay $e "eft c"osed and the $otto& o#ened so as to a""o! the ducks to oin or out and sti"" cut do!n the a&ount of %enti"ation. 8hen the !eather is !ar& the

doors &ay $e "eft entire"y o#en exce#t for a $oard (, inches to * feet !ide inserted in the

$otto& of the door !hen it is desired to kee# the ducks in.

Shade is essentia" for the $reeders and if not #ro%ided natura""y $y trees &ust $e su##"ied

$y &eans of artificia" she"ters.

@eddin and C"eanin the @reedin Houses. Usua""y stra!' &eado! hay' or s!a"e hay is

used for $eddin. Sha%ins &ake ood &ateria" for this #ur#ose if they do not contain too

&uch sa!dust. The #rinci#a" o$?ection to sha%ins is that it takes "oner to $ed !iththe&. 7ften a fe! ?oists are "aid at the $ack of the house on !hich to #i"e $a"es of stra!

or other $eddin so that it !i"" $e ke#t dry and !i"" ser%e as an e&erency su##"y

a%ai"a$"e for $eddin the house in stor&y days. The houses shou"d $e $edded fair"y often

in order to kee# the f"oors c"ean and dry and so as not to a""o! the ducks> feet to et co"d.

The fre9uency !ith !hich $eddin is necessary !i"" de#end u#on the !eather. In !inter it

&ay at ti&es $e necessary to $ed e%ery day. In 6ay it &ay $e necessary on"y t!ice a

!eek and sti"" "ater in the season on"y once a !eek. In !et !eather the ducks track in "ots

of &ud and !ater and fre9uent $eddin he"#s to kee# the es c"ean. The houses are

c"eaned out on"y once a year and this is usua""y done after the ducks ha%e sto##ed "ayin.

To c"ean out the houses !hi"e the ducks are "ayin !ou"d distur$ the& and tend to sto#

their e #roduction.

C"eanin the @reedin 5ards. The yards shou"d $e c"eaned !hene%er they need it' that is'

!hene%er they $ein to et s"o##y or sticky. It is a &atter of ?ud&ent to decide !hen

this is necessary. The character of the soi" inf"uences this' as sandy yards a$sor$ the

dro##ins $etter and do not need c"eanin as fre9uent"y as hea%ier soi"s. In the yards for


28/65

the $reedin ducks' or the !ater yards' this !i"" as a ru"e not $e o%er * or 1 ti&es a

season. In dry !eather c"eanin is acco"ished $y s!ee#in the yards !ith a $roo&. In

!et !eather the dro##ins s#read o%er the yard and are #acked do!n $y the ducks> feet

unti" they

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