Recent content by rentmecheap

The deed is done. Took 2 and a half hours for 3 birds and they don't look as good as the ones I have done do, but they will taste good I am sure. I definately see the advantage of a mechanical plucker. Thank you chickens for your sacrifice.

Planning my first venture into the world of waterfowl, I thought brooding them would be just like baby chickens. However, after much reading here, I realized it was time for a new plan. Here is my 2 phase plan, please share your thoughts. Day old ducklings: I bought a large rubbermaid...

Welcome to BYC. As another newbie to ducks, I can't offer much advice, but here goes. Contact your local feed store and ask if they stock waterfowl feed. Mine carries the purina duck grower all the time and can special order the starter. Getting waterfowl processed seems to be expensive...

I ordered 15 ducks and 4 geese for the march 28th ship date. 5 golden layers, 5 welsh harlequins and 5 blue sweedish. The geese are 4 buff geese. This is my first waterfowl order.

The plan is to decapitate, not wring. I don't have poultry shears, planning on using garden shears. I got them all clean and sharp though.

In the past I have taken my meat birds to a processor and had the deed done. This time however, due to an untimely power outage and a coldsnap, the 50 birds turned into 3. They are 12 weeks old now and the time has come, so I have decided to do things myself. I read the tutorial and printed it...

It is rather easy to figure out if a hatchery drop ships or hatches their own stock. All you have to do is look at the shipping rates. If the postage rates (zones) are the same, then chances are they hatch their own. Of course you can always call and ask I suppose.

I ordered 4 buff geese and 15 ducks (5 golden layers, 5 welsh harlequins, and 5 blue swedish) from Metzer Farm for the march 28th ship date. These will be me first waterfowl.

I have 4 buckeye hens from meyer. They seem to be good birds. 2 buff chanteclers too, and they are beautiful. They eat 18 percent layer crumble.

I understand about the drop shipped ducklings from metzer, but my research has revealed that there are some hatcherys that do manage and hatch their own pekin strains. A few of these are Welp, Mt Healthy, Ridgeway, Townline, hoover, and Cakle. Anyone try any of these?

It is my understanding that many hatcherys don't hatch their own ducks, but have them drop shipped from elsewhere. Of the hatcherys that do hatch their own. Who has the best strain of pekins for meat production? Please share your experience. Ridgeway hatchery is just up the road from me. Has...

I just placed my very first waterfowl order from metzer's. Ordered 4 buff geese and 15 ducks for the march 28th hatch date. Can't wait till they get here.

He does have 2 combs. As a chick he was all black with a poof on his head. Now he growing silver feathers among the black. Not sure what breed he is. He came out of the dollar a chick potluck stock tank at the meyer hatchery retail store.

Thank you. I will definately keep you posted.

OK. I just placed my order for the march 28th ship date from metzer farms. I scaled back some. 15 ducks and 4 geese. 5 golden layer 300 ladies, 5 blue sweedish straight run, 5 welsh harequin straight runs and 4 (2 pairs) buff geese.