Info on Magpie Ducks?

No one seems to really have them but I see that Holderread sells them and they look very pretty. Origin of the breed? Experience with them? Egg laying statistics? Pics?

How 'bout now?

I have Runners so can't really help you much, but found this http://www.magpieducks.co.uk/

I had a pair of Magpies. I LOVED the female, and she was my husband's favorite of all our ducks. I ended up rehoming my pair to better concentrate on my Runners. The problem is with the drakes. They seem to be extremely amorous and I had a hard time keeping the male separated from our Runner ducks (it seemed as if he could walk through walls to get at them). They mate so often that they wear down the females and can cause large scabby bare spots on the back of the neck. I foolishly kept one of the ducklings, after finding a home for the parent ducks, because I was hoping it would turn out to be another female. No such luck. Anyway he is in a separate pen across the yard from my Runners with a Magpie/Runner duck who seems to hold up just fine with him. I think if you want them, you'll want to make sure all your other ducks are as heavy as Magpies or bigger, as they are just too hard on the smaller breed ducks. Since they are an endangered duck, keeping them and/or supporting Holderread's breeding program is good thing. And my duck layed eggs like mad.

Here are some of my pics. The drake was from Holderreads and the duck was from a local Washington breeder who shows Magpies. The second picture is the Magpie I kept and his mate, a Splash Runner/Magpie cross.





And here is a picture of last years ducklings:

Ducks-R-Us has a lot of Magpies, blue and black.

I have one female - BEST mama ive ever had besides my buff and the scovies of course ill try and get pictures up later

Hi Goat-Walker -- I was waiting for you to chime in. I think you and I are the two who talk about our Magpies the most. Especially you . I think it would be great if Magpies had a few more fans here. Like you mentioned, the females are GREAT. The males can be a bit of a challenge though.

I have 5 magpie - 3 females and 2 males (looking to rehome one ) they are hatchery stock - not sure which hatchery - I bought them from a guy I know who orders a bunch of chicks and ducks each year.

Heres a few pics not the best though:




I love my magpies, they all have their own distinct markings, both my males have tiny crests which make them stand out that much more (they are a good bit bigger than the girls and are more forward in their food demands in the AM - lol )

Mine are only about 19 weeks, one of my girls has started to lay - and the other two should start anytime. I have a friend with some for layers and she says she gets about 4-5 eggs a week from her girls so they are good layers.

I have yet to run into any issues with my boys - they are very easy going most of the time - if not a tad more jumpy then the other ducks for some reason - lol. Mine aren't too romantic with the girls - yet...if before I can find Curly a home they start wearing on my girls he will have to seperated out to make it easier - but right now things are going well and the flock is at peace - lol.

Thanks everyone...I think I will be getting some from Holddereads once they are hatching again.

Yea!