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.