Ancona Ducks

[PeacefulWalls]

I would start fresh since you are switching bedding types. I usually do a couple layers of chips before shoveling everything out though.

OK. Sounds like a good plan, although I'm sure my 12 y.o. son won't be too thrilled with cleaning out the duck coop. But after all, they are his ducks! Thanks for all your advice

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[SilkieSensation]

My 6 yr old & 10 yr old get stuck with that job here...lol

 

[kukupecpec]

Good morning! I have just joined the ranks of Ancona owners =)

I was surprised because I THOUGHT they were saxonies, but they are covered in black spots - I rechecked my email with the man who sold me the eggs, he put me on the waiting list for saxony eggs and I ordered Ancona. Lucky me!!!! These guys are ADORABLE!
I was wondering, do they keep the same general black and white pattern they are born with?

 

[SilkieSensation]

More small spots will appear as they feather in. Congrats! They are great ducks.

 

[harriedhomemaker]

Good morning! I have just joined the ranks of Ancona owners =) 

I was surprised because I THOUGHT they were saxonies, but they are covered in black spots - I rechecked my email with the man who sold me the eggs, he put me on the waiting list for saxony eggs and I ordered Ancona. Lucky me!!!! These guys are ADORABLE! 
I was wondering, do they keep the same general black and white pattern they are born with? 

Congrats! I love my Anconas.

They do keep a pattern, though it will change as they get older and their feathers grow in. For example, one of my chocolate Anconas was named Chubby checker because she had a very checkered pattern when she hatched. Now as an adult her markings aren't so spotty and she has more chocolate.

 

[kukupecpec]

How cute! I hoped it would stay the same, but change is fun too. So far the two that are out of their shells have black on their feet as well. Does this change too?

I was also wondering, this is my very first duck experience, although I have a pair of full grown geese that neither of which I hatched myself, on what day are they supposed to hatch? I had 4 ancona and 3 cayuga eggs, one of the anconas never developed so was tossed on day 10. All three remaining anconas hatched (although one is still partially in it's shell) and all three cayugas have yet to even pip internally. I don't know if one takes longer to hatch than the other, or if anconas are easier to incubate? Or if the cayugas aren't going to make it, if it's just dumb luck!

 

[peachncrm37]

How cute! I hoped it would stay the same, but change is fun too. So far the two that are out of their shells have black on their feet as well. Does this change too? 

I was also wondering, this is my very first duck experience, although I have a pair of full grown geese that neither of which I hatched myself, on what day are they supposed to hatch? I had 4 ancona and 3 cayuga eggs, one of the anconas never developed so was tossed on day 10. All three remaining anconas hatched (although one is still partially in it's shell) and all three cayugas have yet to even pip internally. I don't know if one takes longer to hatch than the other, or if anconas are easier to incubate? Or if the cayugas aren't going to make it, if it's just dumb luck!

Candle them. They should hatch the same time if put in at the same time.

 

[kukupecpec]

Candle them. They should hatch the same time if put in at the same time.

I did but I can't really see much. Just a large black blob in most of the egg and the air sac
I dont see a bill in the air sac if thats what you are asking, but I only saw one bill out of the 3 ancona eggs and they all hatched

 

[peachncrm37]

I did but I can't really see much. Just a large black blob in most of the egg and the air sac
I dont see a bill in the air sac if thats what you are asking, but I only saw one bill out of the 3 ancona eggs and they all hatched

You don't necessarily need to be able to see the bill but you should see movement and/or still be able to make out the veining.

Can you see any movement at all?
What day are they on?

 

[kukupecpec]

You don't necessarily need to be able to see the bill but you should see movement and/or still be able to make out the veining.

Can you see any movement at all?
What day are they on?

I couldn't see any veining in the anconas when I candled the other two after the first one hatched, not did I see any movement.
I don't see veining or movement in the cayugas. Today is day 28