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Show RUNNER ACKNOWLEDGED CHAMPION FOR EGGS j i , " - : - SPLENDID RANGERS AND FOES TO ALL INSECTS. The runner duck has been aptly styled the Leghorn of the duck family, fam-ily, says a writer. If flesh Is desired, there are other more satisfactory breeds, but this is acknowledged as champion for eggs. The eggs are a third larger than those of the hen, and of fine flavor. The most noticeable difference is that the albumen is thinner. The Runner will thrive without running run-ning water, if it is supplied with drinking drink-ing water in abundance, and this of sufficient depth to allow it to immerse the entire bill. It is a splendid ranger, and a foe to all insect life. Especially does it enjoy getting into marshy ground, where it has a chance to fill up on the mosquito larvae or other insect life j found in the mud and water. On the other hand, it is the most easily penned in of all fowls, 18-inch poultry netting proving ample to keep it either in an inclosure or out of the garden. If the breeding fowls are in healthy condition a 100 per cent hatch is not uncommon. We have always used hens for hatching, placing sod in the bottom of the nest before putting in the eggs, and sprinkling a day or two before due to hatch. Four weeks are required for incubation. The nests must be ratproof, for this rodent has a special fondness for young duck, even a few days before it emerges from the shell. In fact, any of the poultry enemies appreciate that it is even better thau , chicken, and will devour the young birds unless un-less they are guarded. |