Ducks - Tending a Small-Scale Flock for Pleasure and Profit (Paperback)

Written by hobby farmer Cherie Langlois from Washington state,Ducks is a fantastic overview of these entertaining and adaptablewaterfowl. The author begins by asking "What do these water-crazybirds have that make them as much an asset to farms as landlubbingpoultry?" She provides many answers that defend the virtues andversatility of ducks and argues that the duck is superior to theubiquitous chicken in many ways. As a zoologist, Langlois has agift for elucidating the details of the waterfowl's anatomy, traitsand behavior, all revealed in the first chapter "Meet the Duck."She proceeds by leading readers through the process of choosing theright ducks for their hobby farm, considering the various domesticbreeds (from bantams to heavyweights) as well as the sex of thebirds and number of birds/breeds ideal for beginning a hobby-farmflock.
The book offers advice on housing these very adaptable birds thatthrive in various climates and regions throughout the world: spacerequirements, ventilation, flooring, feeders, and fencing.Naturally, ducks need water to thrive in the form of an existinglake, a manmade pond or simple duck pools, all discussed in thehousing chapter. "The Duck Diet" chapter discusses the nutritionalneeds of the flock and various feeding options farmers and rancherscan consider. Seasoned duck aficionados interested in getting intothe business of ducklings will find much information in thebreeding chapter, which catalogs methods for hatching, incubators,mama duck and baby care, and more. The health of livestock isalways a major consideration for the hobby farmer, and the chapter"Flock Health and Handling" offers a mini course in diseaseprevention, proper hygiene, recognizing symptoms of illnesses, anddealing with common maladies.
The advantages of duck farming--the superior quality of duck eggs,down, and meat--are the focal point of the final chapter"Harvesting the Rewards," likely the first chapter the dubious duckfarmer will read prior to taking the dive into ducks. The bookconcludes with appendices of endangered duck breeds and duckdiseases, resources, a glossary of terms, and a complete index.