➡I accidentally bought Balut eggs: 2 live ducks! Now a Chat Thread!

[CSAchook]

Did you order from a hatchery or do you know of a breeder? They seem hard to find.

I think Ideal has brabanters. Now idea what the quality is though...

 

[ShrekDawg]

This is a bit random but I’ve been crazy happy yesterday and today and especially today and idk why but it’s so weird yet so awesome haha I haven’t even thought like any negative thoughts at all the past two days and I’m actually wanting to take care of myself now/into self care, and be really productive and everything and this is great haha think tomorrow will be a big cleaning day ha

 

[ShrekDawg]

But Conan.....what about Orloffs

True. Thought she really loved them haha

 

[rjohns39]

Thanks @CSAchook

My first real flock were Dels. They laid well the first winter but second winter went into molt in the fall and quit til spring. They did well with both heat and cold, but I found them to be meaner than I like and transitioned to the RIW and BH breeds. I think I have six del mixes left that are 3 years old and they are the only ones laying right now. I'm getting two to three eggs a day from 40 birds.

 

[jwyles]

My first real flock were Dels. They laid well the first winter but second winter went into molt in the fall and quit til spring. They did well with both heat and cold, but I found them to be meaner than I like and transitioned to the RIW and BH breeds. I think I have six del mixes left that are 3 years old and they are the only ones laying right now. I'm getting two to three eggs a day from 40 birds.

Thank you for sharing!

 

[jwyles]

@rjohns39 on second thought I've got a question. I've read that they can be bossy/ mean/ bullies a few times. When you say mean, were they mean to your other birds or each other or aggressive towards people mean?

 

[rjohns39]

@rjohns39 on second thought I've got a question. I've read that they can be bossy/ mean/ bullies a few times. When you say mean, were they mean to your other birds or each other or aggressive towards people mean?

They weren't too bad with each other, but seriously mean to other breeds and the cockerels would go after people. Most of those are in the freezer. I know folks who do great with them and have successfully bred the aggressiveness out of them. I just didn't have the patience for it. If you want good quality, non-aggressive del's look for an Sustainable Poultry Network (SPN) farm to acquire them. Mine were all hatchery stock.

 

[jwyles]

They weren't too bad with each other, but seriously mean to other breeds and the cockerels would go after people. Most of those are in the freezer. I know folks who do great with them and have successfully bred the aggressiveness out of them. I just didn't have the patience for it. If you want good quality, non-aggressive del's look for an Sustainable Poultry Network (SPN) farm to acquire them. Mine were all hatchery stock.

Thank you! I was wondering about hatchery quality. No idea if I'd be able to find someone near enough to get the small amount I need for my backyard flock but that's definitely the route I'd prefer to go. I think that must be why the reviews on them vary so much. It appears there are quite a few lines and there's a difference in the appearance and behavior in many and then even more so when comparing those to hatchery birds. I'll do a little research and see if quality dels are an option for me and if not I may just have to settle on another breed. Again thanks for your time! You've been super helpful!

 

[Kiki]

Did you order from a hatchery or do you know of a breeder? They seem hard to find.

Conan is our breeder.
Us balluties are all her customers.
She is going to be rich.

 

[rjohns39]

Only one I see that's still raising Del's is in CA.