4-H Duck Project

[CelticOaksFarm]

Quote:
I have. But I don't know what I'm looking for...

Contact your state 4H chapter, they will tell you what books and records you need for each project and where to obtain them.

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

Okay, update:

I talked to Phil Clauer, head of poultry sciences at Penn State (so he's basically the head guy when it comes to poultry extension agents and 4-H poultry anything in PA). He says that because there are no standards of production quality for live ducks, it would be pretty much impossible to do this project. He said he'd keep looking around, but that it's probably not going to work.

He did say that if we really wanted to do this, we could enter duck carcasses. However, I think even less participation would be involved if that were the project. But what do you guys think? I'd personally still do the project if I could find somewhere to process the duck (I am probably the worst poultry processor ever; I stabbed the intestines the first time, and the end product looked ugly). But finding a processor would probably be the hardest part of the project.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Your state Ag department could help you locate a processor more than likely.

 

[azhenhouse]

Quote:
I have. But I don't know what I'm looking for...

Funny, I am the new poultry leader for our 4-H group, and I can't believe how hard it is to find information to help me with this new leadership role. I feel very lost, and searching through the 4-H website proves to be even more of a challenge. If I come across anything I will let you know. Good luck!

 

[Tahai]

misposted

 

[Oregon Blues]

"Market" ducks would much more likely to be Pekin. That is what is raised commercially.

I can't see how there would be any problem with judging the meat pens: weight, condition, meat conformation to the ducks, uniformity.....

4-H offers a class for eggs, so at least the eggs could be entered.

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

"Market" ducks would much more likely to be Pekin. That is what is raised commercially.

I can't see how there would be any problem with judging the meat pens: weight, condition, meat conformation to the ducks, uniformity.....

4-H offers a class for eggs, so at least the eggs could be entered.

I've read that Muscovies make up 90% of the meat duck industry? I also have a hatchery fifteen minutes from me that offers scovies, and none that offer pekins. So I could easily just pick up the scovies.
The way Phil explained it, weight can't be a huge factor, because it could all be fat or bone or something else that isn't technically marketable. Condition could play a factor into it. Meat conformation - He said that at a young age (the age they'd be judged at), the meat is soft enough to be mistaken for fat (I think that's what he meant). And you also can't really handle a duck in a safe manner to judge that, because if you hold them upside down by their legs it could injure them, and holding them upside down is the only accurate technique. I even asked if I could make a standard; he kind of just trailed off on that.

Thanks again for all the responses, everyone.

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

*UPDATE*
I'm not really sure how many of you are interested in this, but I need continued help.

I talked with my club leader and the club leader of a club that already does a project almost exactly like this one. Our project now looks like this:

Raising Pekin ducklings (as opposed to Muscovies that we were planning on) for about 12 weeks old. We will be purchasing the Grimaud Hybrid Pekins from Metzers. Entering them in the fair. The kids will be entering a pen of two and a "buddy". The pen of two will be of the same sex, and they will be judged on meat qualities, condition, and uniformity of meat qualities. The buddy will be judged on meat qualities and condition. The buddy does not have to be the same sex as the two birds in the kid's pen. The meat quality standards will come from the APA SOP. I'll be delivering the live birds to the processor and possibly the carcasses to the buyer. Not sure of that detail yet. I'm the chairperson of this project.

So some questions: Are there any hatcheries that sell a jumbo Pekin that are cheaper than Metzers? Or that you'd recommend over Metzers? Do you think this is sufficient? Anything I need to add? Any suggestions?

 

[Tahai]

Excellent detective work and planning!

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

Excellent detective work and planning!

Thank you!