Advice on selling ducklings?

[chickitychickity]

Next Spring I am going to try breeding, hatching and selling Ancona ducklings. I want to see how they sell in my area and if I can make a little bit of income or see the potential to make an income in the future. (To help with feed costs.)

Obviously my first year will be all about learning but I am trying to prepare myself ahead of time. I understand that Ancona ducks are rare, so I don’t mind adjusting my price to make them more desirable in my area. I just want advice on what to do and what not to do. How much people sell their ducklings for and how much they sell their older birds for. And if any Ancona people are out there, advice on color genetics would be helpful. I’ve read a couple articles already, I am just interested to learn more.

What I’ve discovered so far is that I can sell a trio of three month olds for $75 without a problem. The thing is that I don’t want to wait this long again to sell them.

So basically any advice or opinions would be great!

 

[chickens really]

Helllo..I sell Call Ducklings and Ancona colour. I get between $15 and $20 per Duckling. I incubate the ones Im selling as tiny babies. I will let a Hen set some also but then that takes up to 6 weeks before I separate from Momma. Generally the Drake Ducklings go for free once sexed because no one really wants Drakes. I get $50 for trios..
All you can do it wait and advertise them to see how quickly they sell and adjust your price from that point..
Best wishes...

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

@WVduckchick sells chicks and call ducklings, maybe she can share some of her wisdom with you. Where are you located?

 

[PirateGirl]

Maybe visit a local swap this summer (if there is one). You can meet and talk to other sellers. You can talk to other duck people. You can see what's already available in your area and find out what's in high demand.

 

[WVduckchick]

Agree with the others, it’s hard to say what they will sell for in your area.

But I would recommend reading up on the SOP and breeding for the most desirable traits and colors, with proper build, correct colors in the right places, etc. (bills, feet, underbody, head, etc)

Do you plan to stick to black/white or venture into other colors? Chocolate/white may bring more money, or maybe blues would be more desirable in your area. Breed your best ones to each other, and sell the others. Don’t get too attached to individuals. It’s hard to let them go when necessary, if you fall in love with particular ones.

Like CR, I usually sell the ones I hatch, and choose my keepers from the ones that hens raise. But that’s Call ducks. I have no idea how motherly Anconas are.

Good luck!

 

[chickitychickity]

@WVduckchick sells chicks and call ducklings, maybe she can share some of her wisdom with you. Where are you located?

Northern California

 

[chickitychickity]

Thanks Everyone! I plan to try to breed for other colors. I have some brown/white birds already in my flock. Maybe I could charge a little more if people want to pick the color.

I live in a very small town in northern ca, so there are no swaps near me. When I’ve sold birds previously people usually drive to me or I drive to them. Nobody in my area really sells ducklings and whenever someone does, they are snatched up quick