Recent content by GrannyCarol

It can get quite cold here, though not yet this year. I have a mixed flock of ducks, Silver Appleyards, Welsh Harlequins, Saxonys, Anconas, Khaki Campbells and a few crosses. I bed down their "house" (a converted storage shed) with oat straw and also their night time pen. If it gets really cold...

I would say that most drakes mature in the spring when they are about a year old, its pretty early in the season for him to be interested. Drakes are a lot more active in the spring. Give him a couple more months and he'll likely be plenty active about it all. Oh! I just noticed you are in...

I used to do about 2 duck eggs for a recipe that calls for 3 chicken eggs, but that's too much work to figure out. I just toss them in one for one, except for my really big eggs (my Appleyards and Saxonys lay 3 - 4 oz eggs!), I'd cut them back a bit. When I first started eating duck eggs for...

I have a Welsh Harlequin/Khaki Campbell cross that looks just like that in color. However, if your duckling is as big as the Pekin you have, it could be a Rouen. A Mallard would be quite small next to a Pekin, so I don't think that is what he is.

Why would we cull golds? They ARE the original standard in England. The silvers came later and are considered incorrect in the country of origin. I love them both. :)

Please remove me from the Breeder's list. I'm cutting back and may or may not have eggs available next year, but I'm done with separating ducks for the summer! Thank you very much!

If her neck/head is bald, he is probably mating her. Perhaps what you think is beating her up is actually mating? The male climbs on the back of the female and hangs on to her feathers until he is done. There is a good deal of flopping around in the process and he'll fall off when he's done...

I would try giving it B vitamins as well as electrolytes. Ducks specifically need Niacin and can develop neurological and lameness issues if they are deficient. Put 100 mg of Niacin in each gallon of drinking water or I've heard PolyViSol (sp?) works well too. If that is the problem, the...

I find that by 3 weeks I can start to hear happy girl noises (but you have to know what to listen for) when they eat. Unfortunately, I can never tell which duckling is doing the happy chortle. :) At 4 - 5 weeks I can start to hear some real "quacks" in the pen and can start to tell who...

I still have two of the three I got from Holderreads some 8 years ago. They are still beautiful and healthy. I like the breed, though I have others that I like better (mostly because of fancier colors!). Enjoy!

I generally would not put them together quite yet. Your Khakis are pretty young. Give them another couple of weeks and, if possible, contain them where they can interact with the older ducks. When you put them together, try to do it in a place where the older ducks are not used to being, so they...

Personally, I'd take all the eggs and discard them. Give her a nest full of fakes (golf balls might work). Keep the ones she lays in a carton in a cool place (about 60 degrees). Tip the carton slightly and change the angle a couple of times a day. When she gets serious about setting, trade for...

That's very strange. Can you give us the brand and any information on the package as to the new food? A change in diet shouldn't bother them, but maybe there is something wrong with the food itself? I'm so sorry for your loss, that is just plain awful.

You'll probably have to ask the Holderreads what that is, because I've never heard of them and I can't imagine they'd be sending mixes.

If your ducklings are comfy and not huddled up under the light, its warm enough. I don't think I've ever had my brooder at the 95 they talk about, I just go for what the ducklings are comfortable at. Cute babies! What is a "TSQ Welsh Harlequin"?