Anybody has experience with idealpoultry.com ?

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I buy all my ducks from ideal. They have been great. Last time I picked them up. Of course you can't go back into the facility but the front of the place was very clean,everybody had on clean suits. Ideal is quite a large shipper. I got my first flock from Metzers and to compare the two for me was
Metzer
Bigger ducks grew faster, laid faster. But more leg problems.
Ideal
Smaller ducks, smaller eggs, slower growing, never had a leg issue with an Ideal duck.
so I would recommend them definitely. I think the big smaller, slower growers were a bit easier to care for. But happy with both. They have the magpies now too. I am placing an order shortly and can't decide mail over pickup...

If i had the choice, i would pick'em up! Much less stressful for the little ones and you can start bonding with them on the way back home.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I have heated seats in my truck. Never thought I would use them. But turned them on for the peepers ride home.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I have heated seats in my truck. Never thought I would use them. But turned them on for the peepers ride home.

C'mon! It is getting cold in Texas too! I always enjoyed my heated seats in January. I remember we even had snow in Houston once for 2 hours...

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Thank you very much! - At least they ship out birds and it is not a fake web-site.

Oh no! I've ordered twice from them. The birds are fairly good quality. I've only had like 1 or 2 die in shipping.

 

[learycow]

I actually have my heart set on the Magpies (and Buffs and Cayugas and …), but like the Ancona Ducks too, but i am a bit worried that they may be overwhelmed with five "bitchy" Indian-Runners? (2 Drakes 3 Girls) I read that the Magpies are more lightweight and more like Runners than Ancona Ducks.
Anyway, i must wait what my doctor will tell me tomorrow - i had an accident in December, will be on Short Term Disability for a while and thought »i can use that time to raise some ducklings…«. I will PM you tomorrow if that's OK with you?

Certainly. I wish you a quick recovery!

Anconas are more docile and less skittish than runners. But they tend to get along with all breeds in my experience as long as you have an adequate male to female ratio overall

 

[CrystaBub]

@WannaBeHillBilly - I think raising new babies is a great way to spend STD! I'm sorry you have to go through this though
My Ancona was the last addition to my current flock - and she fit right in from day one with zero problems. She took to everyone and everyone took to her. It was miraculous. She and my Runner are best pals. She's calm, quiet (with the occasional really loud 'laugh quack' that makes me seriously LOL), inquisitive like my Runner, a great layer and just fun to watch. She's also the one most likely to eat anything that crosses her path - frog, mole, salamander - it doesn't matter. If its in her way, she'll eat it . Not to mention Anconas are just gorgeous. Pic below of my Ancona - she's not considered great stock but we still think she's pretty. I love them so much that I decided to get more this Spring - and this time from @learycow ! I can't wait!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[bluemerle]

@CrystaBub your girl is gorgeous!! Now I'm considering Anconas for the spring - like I needed more reasons to be indecisive!

 

[CrystaBub]

@CrystaBub your girl is gorgeous!! Now I'm considering Anconas for the spring - like I needed more reasons to be indecisive!

Awww thanks - and hahaha I know how you feel! I went back and forth on breeds to get - what I've really decided is that I want at least one of every breed out there - my DH says we should call it a Duck zoo and charge admission so we can afford to feed them all! What he doesn't know is that I think that's the best idea EVER!!!

 

[learycow]

@WannaBeHillBilly - I think raising new babies is a great way to spend STD! I'm sorry you have to go through this though
My Ancona was the last addition to my current flock - and she fit right in from day one with zero problems. She took to everyone and everyone took to her. It was miraculous. She and my Runner are best pals. She's calm, quiet (with the occasional really loud 'laugh quack' that makes me seriously LOL), inquisitive like my Runner, a great layer and just fun to watch. She's also the one most likely to eat anything that crosses her path - frog, mole, salamander - it doesn't matter. If its in her way, she'll eat it . Not to mention Anconas are just gorgeous. Pic below of my Ancona - she's not considered great stock but we still think she's pretty. I love them so much that I decided to get more this Spring - and this time from @learycow ! I can't wait!!!!

View attachment 1639724

She's gorgeous and looks like she has quite the personality!