Australians - Where are you all????

[duckyfromoz]

If only it was as simple as putting my little Silkie Morri in a pen with a few of my drakes.....

They are lovely!.

In the mean time..its hatching time for me again

I have 8 eggs rocking and wobbling away. Last time I checked- I have 4 internal pips and 1 external pip.. I wont be able to open the bator much longer so hope they will all hurry up and pip the inner membrane. I have decided not to assist any to hatch this time around... But I know if it really came down to it I would. I will update over the weekend about how things are going.

 

[duckyfromoz]

OMG!!!!!!! I cant belive it..I placed an advert last night for ducklings and fertile eggs...Today I got a request for a dozen eggs from a guy I recenty sold 7 ducks to.... an enquiry about the purchase of three dozen eggs from Queensland... And another enquiry for the purchase of between 20 - 40 ducklings from Western Australia!!!!!!!!! I never would have believed I might run of of eggs or ducklings...but if both of these people do go ahead with their orders...I sure am in for a busy time!! I have only had adult ducks brought over from SA... so I am hesitant to agree to shipping ducklings to WA.... But I guess its worth talking to this lady a little more about it before I decide if I can do it.

 

[wooklet]

Wow! I'm going to breed ducks! Congratulations! I actually saw your ad - guessed that it was you! Out of interest how do you transport them to WA or wherever if you are going to? I have trouble getting anything over here to Tassie, mylast effort cost me $75 for the transport alone, so even though I see beautiful birds advertised I hold back from buying them. Good luck with it, I hope that all your orders go through!

?Anything hatched yet?

 

[duckyfromoz]

I have one hatched...Another little female!!!!! That makes it 15 from 16 hatched recently all female !!!

I also got an order for one dozen eggs- ready to go tomorrow and another order for 42 eggs!! I emailed that person and told them it will have to be sent over in two shipments to make sure all the eggs are freshest. So it would be a few weeks before I could even attempt to set the eggs to hatch out 40 ducklings. You can ship day olds here in Australia- but through couriers not the post like in the USA- Australian Air Express will transport animals. You just take them to a depot 2 hours before a flight- and they have very strict regulations on the cages they can travel in.but I am a little hesitant- I dont really think I have the right set up for so many....And my biggest worry is what if she changes her mind- Then I would be stuck with 40 ducklings!! I would have to take time off work just to care for them all.

 

[wooklet]

Thanks for letting me know about that , I will give them a call tomorrow and try to find approximate prices. Couple of questions - how do you tell the difference between he and shes at such a young age? Also are Drakes as hard to find homes for as roosters are?And while I'm at it do duck eggs need more humidity than chicken eggs when they are in the incubator? I pour in more water every time I have to open up the incubator, but suddenly thought that Mama duck is sitting on the eggs wet so maybe they need more humidity?

 

[duckyfromoz]

So sorry I havent finished you info page yet..I have been sidetracked...i will finish it when I get off here for you Wooklet.

I have 4 Babies now!!! I havent got a single photo yet - that is so not like me.

My daughters Father was here for a surprise visit today. We didnt even know he wasnt home in Queensland. I would have loved some kind of notice he was coming..He brought his mother and I was in the shower when they arrived..

Anyway...despite the messy smelly brooders in the lounge room...they werent too shocked- and even got to see Courtney hold a duckling on her hand while the little one hatched!!!

 

[Chicken mouth]

Hey!
Im from OZ too! Down in South Australia! Recently got 5 chickens and will be starting a introduction thread in a few days

 

[wooklet]

The things we do...........! I have spent the past 90 minutes being physio, doctor, bedmaker to one of my little chicks.The poor little legs started to splay, so I decided to put a brace on. Course I put it on the wrong place, above the knee with masking tape, so that had to come off with baby oil, which covered the chick, so it had to be washed and blow dried. Then I got the new splint on with a bandaid, and made it a little bed in a takeaway container , I lined the base with rubber non slip matting, the same as you use in the incubator, put in cotton wool and backed it into the corner. I put it back into the incubator, and companion jumped straight it and sat on the poor little thing. So out it came, and I made modifications, put the lid on, cut a piece off, covered the sharp edges with bandaids, put a flannel in the end so the chick could not go in there, and then put it on another takeaway box so the other chick couldn't jump in. Whew! Hope it works after all this. Photos below

Sorry, one photo, I will have to do the other one in another post!The chick was exhausted as you can see.

Thanks for your infor,Alicia, I'll have a read of it when I have time after all this! I know what you mean about chickens everywhere! Or ducks in your case, You can no longer move in our back yard because of the chicken coops and pens and feed bins, and automatic feeders. Visitors all look rather bemused! Still I'm glad you ahd a good day with your ex and daughter. Are you on holiday next week? Off to clean up the mess I made looking after little Squirt!

2nd picture in the brooder with little bro trying to get in, you can see my genius handiwork there!
Oh,WELCOME Chicken Mouth!

 

[duckyfromoz]

Hi there Chicken mouth welcome to byc and glad you found this thread and dropped in to say hello.... What breed of chickens did you get?

Oh wooklet what a cute little hospital you have set up there. Lucky you caught it early and it shouldnt take long until the little one is running around with its mate again. Another five days at work until my break...I am so looking foward to it....And being home for all the eggs I have in he incubator. Oh - speaking of which...I just turned them all..and candled the newest 8 eggs that were put in on Thursday to coincide with the ones I sent you. I have 8 little embryos started in mine!!!

 

[duckyfromoz]

I picked up two little pekin ducklings today!! the guy who bought them a few weeks ago decided he wasnt set up for ducks and needed a new home for them. I cant keep them myself- but told him I would rehome them for him. They are so cute- and are living with some of my Indian Runners.