2 questions from

[PATOS]

Dual purpose doesn't work out well in large-scale operations, or else large-scale operations would use dual-purpose birds. If you want a large-scale egg operation, you're going to want the best egg-layers. If you want a large-scale meat operation, you're going to be feeding for weight gain, and you'll want very good meat-production. Is it worth a set-back in your ultimate goal (very good egg production) to add a few dollars to your operation now?

If it's possible to buy two-hundred sexed females, I would far rather do that than try to raise four-hundred birds, then sex them, while feeding these two-hundred extra birds. Then you would have to butcher and find an additional market for the carcasses. Do you have the facilities to butcher two hundred birds? That's quite an expense in and of itself.

Also, ducks lay eggs everywhere, rather than in a nest. So you'll have to confine your laying ducks until ten in the morning, or your eggs will be everywhere, all over that property.

I have built a great duck house with a covered run and protected acre for foraging...
Ok I get it- I do not have a reliable place to get good breeds so I have to supply myself... I was thinking about how the cross would be? pekin x indian runner

 

[PATOS]

No need to separate unless the Drakes are being hard on the Hens? Don't need a Drake to get eggs. Only if wanting Ducklings

yes I want ducklings, but only when i want more hens

 

[sylviethecochin]

I have built a great duck house with a covered run and protected acre for foraging...
Ok I get it- I do not have a reliable place to get good breeds so I have to supply myself... I was thinking about how the cross would be? pekin x indian runner

I don't know. I have Pekins, but not Runners. @Miss Lydia does have runners. She may have crossed them at one point.

You could try it and see how it turns out—get some experience and wait a few years before immediately expanding your operation. That way you can find out what procedure best works for you and whether you'll need more housing (I suspect you'll want at least a second duck house for breeding stock.) as well as what breed works best for you.

EDT: You'll definitely need a second duck house for raising ducklings to maturity. Or at least a section of your house separated. Ducklings don't do so hot among larger ducks, and they have different nutritional needs.

 

[PATOS]

I don't know. I have Pekins, but not Runners. @Miss Lydia does have runners. She may have crossed them at one point.

You could try it and see how it turns out—get some experience and wait a few years before immediately expanding your operation. That way you can find out what procedure best works for you and whether you'll need more housing (I suspect you'll want at least a second duck house for breeding stock.) as well as what breed works best for you.

EDT: You'll definitely need a second duck house for raising ducklings to maturity. Or at least a section of your house separated. Ducklings don't do so hot among larger ducks, and they have different nutritional needs.

thx for the reply
tell me why you have Pekins?

 

[sylviethecochin]

thx for the reply
tell me why you have Pekins?

I inherited two (rather poor examples) by accident, and then I bought a very nice, large drake at auction to improve my meat lines. I don't breed ducks for eggs. Nobody in my family will eat them.

EDT: Most of my other ducks are Blue Swedish.

 

[momma2many1974]

I live in Villarrica Chile. I'm from the United States and I moved to Chile in
2012

1. Is it necessary to separate drakes from hens that are laying eggs for consumption?
2. I can choose from Indian Runners, Pekins or Muscovy.... If I mix them will the offspring be sterile?

I want to focus on egg production in a open range setting (see pic below)

View attachment 1630280

No necessary to separate. I personally love the Muscovys and Pekin. Wasn't to fond with the Indian runners. You can still eat the eggs if they are all together. It doesn't matter. I love my duck eggs! Not fond of the chicken eggs. That's just my preference. I have multiple breeds of ducks and they all roam together and sleep in the same coop together. So no worries

 

[PATOS]

ok
wow
great info
please stay in touch with me
here in Chile I can get Pekins and Muscovys look:
http://www.avicolametrenco.cl
$2 dollars each!!

But this week I found Indian runners for $20 each
https://www.yapo.cl/biobio/animales_accesorios/patos_corredores_indios_59872028.htm?ca=9_s&oa=59872028&xsp=6

I want to keep th breeds together and also have a couple of males for the time I need more layers.....
https://www.yapo.cl/biobio/animales..._indios_59872028.htm?ca=9_s&oa=59872028&xsp=6

 

[Miss Lydia]

Nice selection for meat Muscovy and or Pekin for eggs Pekin and Runner. For broodiness Muscovy.

 

[PATOS]

1. Nope. The eggs'll be fertilised if the males and females are together, but that won't affect the taste or condition of the eggs (unless you allow them to sit in hot weather for a few days, of course.)

2. If you mix Muscovy and either of the other two breeds, the offspring will be sterile. If you breed a male muscovy to female mallard-type ducks, the offspring will be mullards, and will not lay eggs, but have very good weight gain. If you breed a male mallard-type drake to a female muscovy, the offspring will all be hinnies, and will lay eggs (or so I've heard.) But runners and Pekins are the same species, so they can interbreed without problems.

EDT: the offspring from both crosses can be either male or female. Male mallard x muscovy should produce some small males that will not lay eggs. Sorry, I just realised how unclear my post is.

For egg production, I'd go with runners. Pekins are calmer, but they lay fewer eggs. Muscovies lay eggs pretty seasonally and attempt to build up a clutch to brood. When they're brooding on eggs (35 days or longer) they won't lay any more eggs.

Be careful about your duck to drake ratio. Drakes are fine fertilising seven females or more. (That's the ratio I had this spring, and every egg hatched, except those that were killed by the high humidity.) but drakes are really hard on ducks, so you don't want more than one drake for every four females, and fewer drakes than that is better.

If you choose to mix breeds, it's best to put lighter drakes with heavier hens. I would not have a heavy Pekin with little runners, for instance.