I ordered my ducks from Holderread's in Oregon, and I live in Texas. All the ducklings arrived alive, but one died within the next day or two. Not every duckling (or anything, really) will live after hatching. I adore Holderread's quality, and will only order ducks from them. I ordered 15 ducklings last time, and they threw in two for free.
I have also heard good things about Metzer's. If you do get them through the mail, be sure to let your local post office know when to expect them and make sure they have your phone number. That way they will call you early in the morning and you can drive down and pick up your birds right away. This is important, because otherwise they will be stuck in some postal truck or jeep all day while it makes its way to your house. This one thing can make a big difference in how many of your ducklings make it. Open the box right there in the post office to see if any are dead, so you can make a claim against the postal insurance. Once you get them home, take each duckling and dip its beak in the water so it knows where to get a drink. It can be helpful to put a vitamin/electrolyte solution in the water, too, just for the first few days.
I did all of the above, and only had that one death within a day, and later one other duckling just didn't thrive and it died. So, two out of 17 died, which is not too bad I think.
Go for it, and good luck!!
PS - if you have never raised ducks before, buy "Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks", which was written by Dave Holderread. It will tell you everything you need to know.
I have also heard good things about Metzer's. If you do get them through the mail, be sure to let your local post office know when to expect them and make sure they have your phone number. That way they will call you early in the morning and you can drive down and pick up your birds right away. This is important, because otherwise they will be stuck in some postal truck or jeep all day while it makes its way to your house. This one thing can make a big difference in how many of your ducklings make it. Open the box right there in the post office to see if any are dead, so you can make a claim against the postal insurance. Once you get them home, take each duckling and dip its beak in the water so it knows where to get a drink. It can be helpful to put a vitamin/electrolyte solution in the water, too, just for the first few days.
I did all of the above, and only had that one death within a day, and later one other duckling just didn't thrive and it died. So, two out of 17 died, which is not too bad I think.
Go for it, and good luck!!
PS - if you have never raised ducks before, buy "Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks", which was written by Dave Holderread. It will tell you everything you need to know.
I orderd from Mcmurrays.
