Natural and Artificial Duck Culture
Part 9
ANSWER.--Young birds will usually lay from two to three weeks before the old ones, but as the first eggs of the old birds are usually more fertile than eggs from the young ones, there is very little discrepancy in the result.
QUESTION 12.--How many eggs will a Pekin duck lay in a season?
ANSWER.--About one hundred and forty. Their fecundity is wonderful, excelling that of any other duck. We have birds in some yards with a record of one hundred and sixty-five eggs to each bird.
QUESTION 13.--To what age is it profitable to keep a duck?
ANSWER.--We have kept them till four years old with good results. If not forced they may be kept longer to advantage.
QUESTION 14.--Is there a market for their eggs, and at what price?
ANSWER.--Pekin duck eggs sell readily in market, as they are much larger than the other duck eggs. They command from five to ten cents per dozen more than hen's eggs.
QUESTION 15.--How much does it cost to keep a duck each season?
ANSWER.--From $1.75 to $2.00. They are gross feeders, of bulky food, but the greater number and value of the eggs in market over the average hen, makes the duck more profitable as an egg-producer than the hen.
QUESTION 16.--At what season are the eggs of a duck most fertile?
ANSWER.--During the months of February, March, April and May, though they are usually fertile with us during January, June, and even July.
QUESTION 17.--What per cent. of the eggs will usually hatch?
ANSWER.--That depends entirely upon how the mother-bird is cared for and fed. See formula for laying birds.
QUESTION 18.--What is the average loss sustained in growing ducklings?
ANSWER.--Not more than two per cent. with us, but it depends largely upon how the old birds are fed; how the eggs are incubated, and the young birds cared for.
QUESTION 19.--How many birds can be safely kept in one brooder and one yard?
ANSWER.--About one hundred, and as they grow older, unless the yards are of good size, a less number would grow and fat better.
QUESTION 20.--At what age should the young birds be put upon the market?
ANSWER.--When the prices are very high in the early spring we market them at about nine weeks old, when they will dress from ten to eleven pounds per pair. Later on, when prices are lower, we market them at ten to eleven weeks old, when they will dress from twelve to thirteen pounds per pair.
QUESTION 21.--When and how do you select your breeding birds?
ANSWER.--As soon as we can distinguish the quality and merits of the bird, and from our earliest hatches, as they always develop into larger and better birds.
QUESTION 22.--How do you treat the young birds for breeding purposes?
ANSWER.--Turn them out to pasture, and feed lightly on food calculated to develop bone, muscle and feathers.
QUESTION 23.--What shall I do to keep my ducks still in the night, when they make a great noise and commotion? Some of them are broken down and cannot stand.
ANSWER.--Hang a lantern in their yard. You must keep them still.
QUESTION 24.--Can ducks be shipped safely any distance?
ANSWER.--We ship ducks safely all over the United States, Canada and Europe.
QUESTION 25.--Would you recommend incubator or hens for hatching duck's eggs?
ANSWER.--Incubator, by all means, if hatched in large quantities.
QUESTION 26.--Would you use brooders, if hatched under hens?
ANSWER.--Brooders are better than hens, for two reasons. It is less trouble to care for them. Hens crush large numbers of them when small.
QUESTION 27.--How long can the eggs be kept for hatching?
ANSWER.--They can be kept three weeks, safely, if kept on end, in a cool place, but should prefer them fresher.
QUESTION 28.--Can Pekin ducks be crossed with other breeds profitably?
ANSWER.--From our experience, we can say no. In every case it has required longer time to mature the mongrels, and as the prices decline in the early spring, this is quite an item, besides the introduction of colored feathers injures the appearance of the dressed bird, as well as the quality of the feathers, which is also quite an item.
QUESTION 29.--What is the price of duck's feathers in the market?
ANSWER.--Formerly, white duck feathers commanded fifty cents per pound, but since white feathers have been imported from Russia in such quantities, ours average about forty-five cents per pound.
QUESTION 30.--What makes their wings turn out from their bodies?
ANSWER.--This is often caused by the rapid development of the bird. The resting feathers on the sides under the wings, do not keep pace with the rapid growth of the bird, and the constant efforts of the bird to keep the wings in place, tends to turn the wings outward. We have always noticed that these are invariably the best birds.
QUESTION 31.--Which are the most profitable, ducks or chickens?
ANSWER.--This will depend upon whether the grower is a care-taker, or whether he is careless, lazy or untidy. We think that ducks will bear more neglect than chicks, but it will not do to presume upon that, as ducks will not thrive in filth more than chicks. We think that the average price of chicks in market is rather higher than that of ducks, but as it costs at least two cents less per pound to produce duck flesh, than that of the chick, there is very little difference.
QUESTION 32.--Where are the best markets for ducks?
ANSWER.--Good markets may be found in all of our large cities, though we think New York and Boston the best. Sometimes, when large shipments produce a glut in the New York markets, the surplus is shipped to Boston, where it may be a cent or two higher. Then in a few days things may be reversed and the exodus be the other way, and as the freight is only one-half cent per pound between the two cities, I have known tons to be shipped at a time.
QUESTION 33.--What would a plant cost, with a capacity of 5,000 ducklings, per year?
ANSWER.--With good machines, and buildings barely practical, $1,500 (if economically expended) would cover cost, independent of land.
QUESTION 34.--What effect does extremes of heat and cold have upon young ducklings?
ANSWER.--After they are a week old they will stand much more of either than chicks.
QUESTION 35.--Is the flesh of birds artificially grown, as good as that grown in the natural manner?
ANSWER.--Just as good. The quality of the flesh depends entirely upon the care and feed given the birds.
QUESTION 36.--How large should the yards be in which the breeding birds are kept?
ANSWER.--At least one hundred feet long, where the buildings are long, and the width of the pens in which the birds are housed.
QUESTION 37.--Do you think it will pay to grow celery to flavor the flesh of the birds?
ANSWER.--We have never done so, and parties who have grown celery for that purpose, have discontinued it as being unprofitable in the end, as they were not able to obtain increased prices for their product.
QUESTION 38.--What is the best green food for ducks, old and young?
ANSWER.--Green clover, green corn-fodder, rye, oats and clover-rowen cured nicely, with green rye, in winter when ground is bare.
QUESTION 39.--Should Pekin duck eggs be pure white?
ANSWER.--Yes.
QUESTION 40.--Should a pure bred Pekin have any black feathers?
ANSWER.--No. The feathers should be a creamy white. Dark feathers are a sign of mongrel stock.
QUESTION 41.--Will rain injure young ducklings?
ANSWER.--They are as susceptible to rain as chicks up to three weeks of age, but after that, will endure more, and at eight or ten weeks old, will really enjoy a good rain storm.
QUESTION 42.--How large do Pekin ducks grow?
ANSWER.--We have had drakes to tip the scales at 13 pounds each, though this is somewhat rare. The past season, one of our drakes weighed 9-1/2 pounds, dressed, at 10 weeks old.
QUESTION 43.--What is the weight of Pekin duck eggs?
ANSWER.--In the height of the season, ours weigh about 3 pounds to the dozen.
QUESTION 44.--Is wet, marshy land suitable for ducks?
ANSWER.--Should prefer dry land contiguous to a stream or pond.
QUESTION 45.--How many duck eggs should be placed under one hen?
ANSWER.--From nine to eleven, depending upon the size of the hen.
QUESTION 46.--How long does it require to incubate duck eggs?
ANSWER.--Pekin eggs twenty-seven days. Muscovy eggs thirty-two days, same as geese.
QUESTION 47.--Do Pekin ducks sit well on eggs?
ANSWER.--No. They are unreliable. Hens are better. A good incubator still better.
QUESTION 48.--If you were a young man, with the same experience you have now, would you enter the poultry business?
ANSWER.--I certainly would, for two reasons. First, because it is a congenial occupation to me; second, it is by far the most profitable of any branch of farm industry.
QUESTION 49.--Who is the best commission dealer in Boston market to whom I could consign my product?
ANSWER.--We consider Adams and Chapman, North Market St., safe and reliable, and a first-class firm in every respect.
QUESTION 50.--Who is the best retail dealer?
ANSWER.--We consider Nathan Robbins Co., Quincy Market, as A-1. They have handled a large part of our product for many years, and we would heartily recommend them.
Our Imperial Pekin Ducks.
We run one of the largest duck farms in America; and the birds in our breeding pens are the very choicest, carefully selected, from the thousands we raise, and are all bred from our premium yards. We feel justly proud of our birds; for not only have they won all the premiums at New England State Fairs, but throughout the West, South and Canada. Our birds cannot be duplicated in North America. We confidently challenge competition; and, strange to say, the birds in our yards are now far superior to our best imported birds. They thrive better on our feed and in our climate than in that in which they originated. The Boston and New York marketmen have repeatedly assured us that our ducks are the best that come into the market, and as a natural consequence we have not been able to fill our orders for market ducks. Our birds have dressed, on an average, the past season, twelve pounds per pair, at nine and ten weeks old. We have now 2,500 of these mammoth birds in our breeding pens, and we are prepared to fill all orders for both birds and eggs at reasonable prices.
Our young birds commence laying at five months old, lay through the fall months, moult slightly during the first of December, and about the middle of December begin again. The average number of eggs laid by our ducks we find, after careful computation, to be about 140 each year--more than our best hens. Our birds and eggs have given universal satisfaction wherever they have gone; and we have numerous letters from our patrons, expressing themselves as more than satisfied with their bargains.
Our prices range as follows:
Per pair, according to size and quality, from $4.00 to $6.00 Per trio, according to size and quality, from 6.00 to 9.00 Exhibition birds, each $5.00, or 10.00 per pair Eggs from our choice yards, per setting of 15 2.00 Eggs from our " per two settings 3.50 Eggs from our " per fifty 5.00 Eggs from our " per hundred 8.00 Eggs from our " per thousand 70.00
The above prices may seem large to some, but when it is known that many of the birds we now offer for sale were worth June 1st, $1.50 each in the market, and that we have kept them for the last six months at a cost of not less than fifty cents each, it is easy to see that the profits are not large. Our maximum price for market birds the present season was thirty cents per pound; the minimum, eighteen cents.
Our ducks are all hatched and raised artificially, and are put upon the market at a cost not exceeding six cents per pound.
TESTIMONIALS.
PEKIN DUCKS.
NILES, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir--
The ducks arrived safely and prompt, and I thank you very much for sending such fine large ducks--why they are more like geese as far as size. I also thank you for the prompt attention given my order.
The poor little duck I kept of the ones raised by me this year looks very small--only about one-third the size of those received from you, and I thought her quite a respectable size before. I've long wanted some of your ducks, and I'm very much pleased with them.
Wishing you greater success, I remain,
Respectfully yours, CLARA G. CARATU.
R. F. D. 1, Niles, Ohio.
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RUSLERSTOWN, Md., Sept. 21, 1905.
MR. JAS. RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir--
I beg to advise that the ducks have been received, and with them I am very much pleased. Am building a home for them in accordance with your plans, and when it is completed I shall want more ducks.
Yours very truly, H. D. OWEN.
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CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS, Pa., Sept. 18, 1905.
Dear Sir--
Received the ducks all right. Am well pleased with them.
Yours truly, M. F. TRAINER.
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MT. HOLLY, Sept. 28, 1905.
Dear Sir--
I received the ducks today, and I am well satisfied with them. Thanking you for your promptness, I remain
JEREMIAH DONOVAN.
R. F. D. No. 1.
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TRADESMEN'S NATIONAL BANK.
The United States Depository of Pittsburgh.
May 20, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir--
The four (4) ducks you sent me arrived on the 16th, and I want to thank you for so promptly and satisfactorily filling my order. I am very highly pleased with them. Sincerely yours,
T. B. BARNES.
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WHITE PLAINS, Md., Mar. 27, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir--
We are pleased to say that duck eggs arrived safe, only four broken. We tested them and got 96 per cent. fertile. Very good. Thanks for promptness. May send for another 100 soon.
Yours very respectfully, GOUGH BROS. & CO.
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BALTIMORE, Md., Saturday, Jan. 1905.
MR. RANKIN:
The duck arrived safely yesterday. Very many thanks. She is a lovely large bird.
MRS. E. C. ROBINSON.
"Elgin."
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BROOKLYN, N. Y., May 3, 1904.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir--
The Pekin duck eggs you shipped me arrived safely, not one broken. Would have written sooner, but waited to see result of the hatch. I have ten little beauties. Should have had thirteen, but the chicken crushed three, two were unfertile. But I am very well pleased. Thank you for such fair treatment.
Wishing you every success, yours sincerely,
B. NICKLAUS.
Vienna Ave. and Barby St.
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ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Mass., Jan. 17, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir--
Received the drake and ducks all right, and I must in candor tell you how pleased my wife and daughter were with them. I have two ducks I was told were your strain, but they are eclipsed by those you sent me. I hope later on, I may send for more, as I am highly pleased with them.
Yours respectfully, R. PARK.
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COMMON PLEAS COURT,
10th District.
BUCYRUS, Ohio, May 7, 1904.
MR. JAMES RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir--
We received the ducks and they are good in every respect, and beside Mr. ----, make his look like culls. If he sends the same kind to every person, he is certainly a detriment to the business. He excused himself by saying that he was away from home; then he retains incompetent help. No criticism whatever can be made of your selection, and the ducks you sent us are as good as your reputation, and the latter is the best in this part of the country.
We shall probably want a few show birds this fall, and will write you later. Yours truly, JAMES C. TOBIAS.
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OWOSSO, Mich., Oct. 21, 1904.
JAMES RANKIN, So. Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir--
I overlooked writing you in regard to the drakes. The first lot arrived nicely, except two. One seemed to be quite badly lamed, and the other a little. We took them out immediately on arrival, and the one that was slightly lamed has come out all right. The other fellow died. Probably got hard usage somewhere on the road. The lot right through was a very nice lot.
The second lot arrived in fine condition, and the two lots together are entirely satisfactory every way. Do not see how any one could ask for anything nicer.
The hundred we had from you last year were equally as good, however, in fact, can see no difference. Either the drakes or the ducks ought to be satisfactory to any reasonable person.
Yours truly, E. F. DUDLEY.
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GLEN WILD P. O., Sullivan Co., 1904.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir--
The trio of Pekin Ducks arrived safe on Monday, Oct. 3d. They are exactly as represented. I like them very much. They seem to be very tame and easy to get along with.
Very truly, (Mrs.) EDGAR KETCHAM.
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U. S. S. "Forward.," KEY WEST, Fla., May 23, 1904.
MR. J. RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir--
Sitting of eggs duly received last month. Got now ten lively ducklings, had eleven, but one got killed. Thanking you for prompt attention, I remain, Very truly yours,
GEO. SCHOPFER.
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HILL CITY, South Dakota, June 11, 1904.
MR. RANKIN:
I received ducks O. K. My other ducks are laying fine. They are all fine ones; although they cost me $4.92 1-2 apiece I would not take the money back for them.
G. W. WALLACE.
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PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Manitoba, Nov. 3, 1904.
MR. JAMES RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir--
I am very much pleased with the ducks you sent me, they are the finest pair I ever saw. The people here say they are like geese. Thank you for the splendid selection you made for me.
GEO. E. STACEY.
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NORTH DETROIT, Mich., R. F. D. No. 2, Jan. 9, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir--
The ducks arrived safe Saturday evening, Jan. 7, in good condition. I am very much pleased with your selection. They are certainly two fine birds. I remain, Yours truly,
CHAS. GLARBON.
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MORRIS, Ill., Jan. 24, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir--
The ducks arrived in good condition, and they are the largest ducks I have ever seen. Thank you for your satisfactory shipment.
Yours truly, L. L. NESS.
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EAST BERLIN, Conn., March 29, 1905.
MR. RANKIN:
I received the duck eggs this afternoon in fine order, and I am delighted with them. They are beautiful eggs, and I feel sure of a good hatching. I only expected nine, as my friends all told me that nine was a sitting. I am more than pleased to receive 15. I will let you know how many birds I get later.
Yours with many thanks,
Mrs. S. McCRUM.
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MONROE, N. Y., June 6, 1904.
MR. RANKIN:
Dear Sir--
Excuse me for not writing to you sooner. I have been so busy that I have not taken the time, but I received the duck eggs in due time, also the little book, for which I thank you very much. Received 15 eggs, more than I expected for a sitting. Two were cracked, as the basket looked as if it had been handled roughly by the Express Co. Out of the thirteen (13) remainder, were hatched eleven ducks, but the hen killed two of them on the nest. That left nine (9) fine little ducks, which are all alive at present and doing nicely--the largest I ever saw for their age. They are now but ten days old, but I would not take five dollars for them, as they look as if they were going to make fine big fellows. I don't mind buying eggs from a man like you, as you are sure to get your money's worth. Wishing you a prosperous season,
CHAS. G. REINHARDT.
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ELWOOD, Ind., Jan. 13, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir--
The trio of Pekin ducks received in good condition. Am well pleased. Also the book on "Duck Culture" received and read, which was much enjoyed. Learned many new points in duck raising. Thanking you, I am
Yours respectfully,
Mrs. A. T. COX.
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ELKTON, Md., Jan. 9, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir--
Received ducks yesterday in good condition, and I am pleased with them. Can you let me have two more ducks at same price and as nice as these? If so, let me hear from you, and oblige,
Yours respectfully, Mrs. J. B. CONNER.
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EAST BERLIN, Ct., May 4, 1905.
MR. RANKIN:
Dear Sir--
I want to tell you how delighted I am with my little ducks. I had 13 out of 15 eggs. Only one egg that was bad, as there was one duckling in the egg, but was not strong enough to come out. But I am more than pleased with my 13. I feel sure they will grow to be fine, large ducks. Yours respectfully,
Mrs. S. McCRUM.
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ROCKAWAY, N. J., Jan. 9, 1905.
MR. JAMES RANKIN:
Dear Sir--
The two ducks and a drake you shipped me arrived in good condition. They are the finest birds of their class I ever saw. Different people who have examined them say they are the biggest and best ducks they ever looked at.
Yours resptfully
GEORGE S. STONE.
Morris County.
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LYNBROOK, Long Island, Oct. 16, 1905.
MR. J. RANKIN:
Sir--
The drake and duck arrived on Friday, P.M. in the very finest of shape. Thanking you for the selection you made for me, I remain,
Respectfully, W. H. YOUNG.
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30 Bernard St., EAST ORANGE, N. J., Oct. 18, 1905.
JAMES RANKIN, Esq., South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir--
Your shipment of one duck and one drake came to hand today, and they are a fine pair of birds. Thanks for your promptness in this matter.
Yours truly, CHAS. H. WARING.
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SUFFOLK, Va., June 2d, 1905.
MR. JAS. RANKIN, South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir--
Just as the ducks came to hand I was called away from home, hence the delay in acknowledging receipt of them. They arrived safe and well, and it is but due to you to say, in size and beauty they exceeded my most sanguine expectations. They are indeed handsome birds. Many persons who saw them took them to be geese. I thank you for your promptness in filling my order, etc.
Yours truly, V. S. KILBY.
I. W. Morgan, Sr.,
Sec'y-Treas.
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THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
of the Town of Port Arthur.
PORT ARTHUR, ONT., Aug. 30, 1905.
JAMES RANKIN, Esq., South Easton, Mass.:
Dear Sir--
The drake and two ducks you shipped to me on the 26th inst. arrived this evening, and are apparently in very good "trim" after their four days' journey. They are the finest looking ducks I ever saw and I have seen many thousands. I am more than pleased with them. Thanking you for your prompt and fair dealing with me
I am sincerely yours, J. W. MORGAN, Sr.,
Port Arthur, Ont., Canada.
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COMMISSION HOUSE OF W. H. RUDD & SON,
No. 10 Merchants' Row, Boston.
Friend Rankin--With the exception of yourself, we doubtless hatch and raise more poultry, by actual count, than any one on this continent. We do it entirely by artificial means, and shall never employ any other so long as we raise poultry at all and retain our senses.
At our headquarters, in Boston, we receive and handle, to say the very least, as many market ducks as any firm in the city, and unless we are dull scholars, we ought to form a pretty accurate opinion of the relative merits of natural and artificial methods of incubation; or perhaps better expressed, the comparative quality of poultry raised by each, whether designed for market or other purposes. We were looking over our breeding stock the other day, and certainly never saw so handsome a lot for so large numbers, and we should have to travel as far as South Easton to find as fine a flock of ducks.