apiece during the nesting season. We generally feed
ours on maize, as it is less wasteful than smaller grain, and the birds
lay well on it. One can, I think, count on 80 per cent. of the eggs
hatching, and of birds actually hatched you ought, in a fair season, to
rear 85 per cent. Having taken my reader as far as the hatching out of
the young birds, I propose in my next chapter, which I consider the most
important in the book, to deal with the question of their food, up to
the time they are fit to shoot.

HATCHING AND REARING

[Illustration: THE REARING PADDOCK]

CHAPTER III

HATCHING AND REARING

The time is now approaching when the ducklings may be expected to hatch
out. Care has been taken to plentifully sprinkle the eggs with tepid
water, two or three times a week, whilst the hens are off for their
daily feed, and everything is ready for the young birds.

The first sign of approaching hatching is a curious opaqueness which
affects the eggs. This is speedily followed by chipping, and by placing
the egg close to the ear the young birds can easily be heard
endeavouring to obtain their liberty. If all the eggs chip and hatch
together it is a sure sign of healthy birds; but should they be hatching
out patchily, remove the earliest birds at intervals from the different
hens and put them in a basket lined with flannel, in a warm corner of a
room, but not too near the fire.

When the birds are quite dry and lively, remove them eleven or twelve
together and place them in a coop, with a small wire run attached.
Always place the coops facing the sun, if possible, and with their backs
to the wind.

Wind and rain must be kept out and the sun admitted. The latter will
bring on young birds quicker than anything. During very bad weather
coops may have to be shifted two or three times a day if the wind keeps
changing.

A matter of considerable importance is the nature of the soil on which
the ducks are to be reared. Let it be light and well drained, and the
ground undulating, so that it may be always possible to shelter the
young birds from a harsh wind. A high bank, such as that alluded to in
Chapter I., is often of the greatest assistance in sheltering them,
particularly when they get a little older.

The ducklings must be put on some grass, as otherwise the hens will
scratch for food, and generally damage one or two of their brood. The
young hopefuls require scarcely anything to eat or drink for the fi