Holderread Vs. Metzer - Page 2

Holderread is THE premier waterfowl breeder. 

The birds you get from HWF will be the best examples of the breed and you know that you have good healthy birds from the start.  As a preservation center, they don't sex the baby birds, but just as Oregon Blues pointed out, you can purchase sexed pairs of adult birds. 

They do things the old fashioned way, so you'll fill out your order form by hand and mail it in with a check (they don't take credit cards).  Orders are filled on a first come, first served basis, so the sooner you get your form & payment to them to sooner you can collect your babies.  They're super helpful so you can call them to ask questions also.  You also need to make an appointment (at least a day prior) to pick-up your ducks or geese.

This is from their website:

 Best of luck! You'll LOVE your runners!!

Another great preservation center is Sand Hill Preservation Center in Iowa.  They do a great job and offer more than just waterfowl: they raise heirloom vegetables and rare breeds of poultry (Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Guineas, & Turkeys).
 

I had sent in a deposit last year for goslings. When Holderread decided to sell all his Pomeranians, my deposit got switched over to adults and I drove over to pick them up on the first day that the pass was safe. I paid the balance with cash, although they did not tell me that cash was the only acceptable payment.

If you are getting ducklings, print out the order form and send your money, along with a note that you will pick up at the farm.  They will answer email.  However, they don't take credit cards, so you must send your order by mail.

If you want adults, email them and arrange for your birds.  Then if you can't pick them up almost immediately, you will mail either payment, or a deposit to hold them.  They will tell you which.

I picked my birds up about a week after I was told I could have them and I had already paid a deposit.  If I had mailed payment, it might not have gotten there before I did.  But you can't expect them to save birds without payment.

I haven't asked, but I suspect that if you are picking birds up, you can buy fewer than the minimum.  The minimum number of ducklings is for safety in shipping.  If you are picking up, take your own carrier.