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My ducks are always surprising me with the places they find to build nests. But it makes my morning egg hunts so much more interesting.

I think that iron phosphate is safe around all pets and wildlife. If you wanted to be safe, apply it now and the bait will be gone by the time your ducks are ready to forage. That's what I did last year. If you use the beer traps, save the drowned slugs and feed them to your ducklings...

Ancona FTW.

I have a flock of Anconas which I love, for all of the reasons already mentioned. They are as friendly as you want to make them. If you want them to be friendly with you, and not skittish, then spend time with them and give them food treats. I throw worms to my Anconas while I am digging in...

Waterfowl are a wonderful, rich red meat. Not at all like the dark meat on a turkey. Geese and ducks can produce a lot of fat, depending on how they are fed and kept. If you don't want all the fat, just cut it off. Don't toss it out, though; duck and goose fat is the most delicious fat in...

Holderread's FTW.

There is a fox den about 300 yards or so from my goose and duck pen. Last year they raised four kits. I free range the birds as much as possible, whether I am home or not. So far, I haven't had any problems with foxes bothering the birds.

Aw, c'mon, Wifezilla, maybe just a little Roman or two?

I purchase the Holderread bulletins for each of the breeds I own. I also have the bulletin on management for egg production. I think they are only a couple of bucks each, and well worth the price. They contain good tips on breeding the birds, as well as management tips. I highly recommend...

Depending on the breed, ducks start laying at about 20-25 weeks of age. I think most ducks will take a break from egg laying in the Winter. When and how long of a break depends on breed and management. Ducks do fine in the cold, it's the day length that affects their egg laying.

I emailed Holderread's, asking about the Ancona ducks. Wanita told me that it was simply a matter of workload; they had to drop a few breeds just to make the work manageable. Unfortunately, the Ancona was one of them. The good news is, I still have 21 blacks and chocolates I ordered from them...

Quote: I dump the pond water right into the compost pile. It really gets that pile heated up! I don't know how long you should wait before using the compost after that. I only use my compost once or twice a year, so mine has been sitting for a while by the time I get around to using it in...

Quote: Well, I guess I will be buying an incubator, after all.

I almost forgot; one of the best things about Ancona ducks is that some of them will lay spotted eggs. Which, being a spotted egg from a spotted duck, is too cute. I also have been getting the occasional black egg and the very occasional blue egg. Also, the random markings of the Anconas...

Just took this pic today. Young dewlap toulouse gander keeping an eye on things.

Toadbriar, I'm still in my first year of raising ducks and geese, so I might not be your best resource for questions. I think, however, that you can hatch them whenever you want, it just might take more care the earlier you do it. The earlier you hatch and brood them, the more protection you...

I got them from Holderread's. Sadly, he is not offering Anconas for sale this year.

Gorgeous ducks everyone - but whats up with the one picture crap?!?!?! HELLO!!! Ancona official droolers over here!!! Here they are less than a week old. Boy could those little guys nap! A couple of weeks later, outside:

10-11 eggs from 13 ducks, with lights? Yikes, maybe I should get moving and run electric out to the coop!

I ordered Anconas from Holderread's last Spring, and I like them. These are my first ducks, and I have no personal experience with other breeds, but I can tell you a few things about them. I get about 4 eggs a day from 15 ducks, without providing any artificial light. I had a huge slug...