Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1914 — EXCELLENT HINTS FOR DUCK RAISERS [ARTICLE]

EXCELLENT HINTS FOR DUCK RAISERS

Much Poultry Sold to Chinese, Who Consume Great Quantities—Pekins Are Large.

Green ducks are shipped to the mar. ket undrawn and with the heads on. They are picked down one-half of the neck, and to the first wing joint. The Muscovy duck has to be from two to four weeks older than the Pe. kin before it can be dressed, and iq sometimes. four mouths old when kill, ed. In the east the lowest prices in the duck market are from the first of July to the first of September; from then on, the price always goes up from two to five cents the pound. Much poultry is sold to the Chinese, and at good prices. It is estimated that they consume quantities. There is considerable demand in the large cities for live ducks, the Jews not buying dressed poultry of any kind; and this religious scruple makes a good market for many birds that would otherwise be worthless. The origin of the Indian Runnes Duck is unknown. It is claimed they were introduced into England about thirty years sgo. The Indian Runner Duck will ttty nearly 200 eggs in* year. One breeder gives the following comparison between the Runners and the Peking:. Food needed for 110 Pekins for one month, 2,260 pounds; 100 Runners, same period, 1,600; time required to reach marketable size ten weeks for each breed; time to reach maturity, Pekins, six to nine months; Runners, tpbr to five months. The Pekins are the larger duck.