Beginner recommendations please.

[larkflying]

The drake will still mate with the ducks up until they are ready to sit on the eggs full time. Then she hunkers down all day over the eggs, and he leaves her alone. So, taking away the eggs would just ensure that the breeding activity would continue.

Fertilized eggs taste the same as unfertilized . . . sounds like you would be fine though, with just 3 to 4 female ducks. No reason to put them through breeding activity unless you want more ducks at some point. They will lay better too if there is no drake around. I think 1 drake to 3 ducks is the smallest ratio that can work . . . although 1 drake to 4 or 5 ducks is better.

 

[chris dales]

Decision made. 4 ducks and no drake it is then.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

That sounds like a good plan to me. Now all you have to do is decide on the breed or breeds you want.

 

[zooweemama]

Decision made. 4 ducks and no drake it is then.

Be sure to tell us what kind you are getting! so fun! I have lots of different breeds of ducks and they all get along fine as they started out together. My second batch were the fawn and white runners, harlequins, buffs and golden 300s (supposed to be excellent layers and they are a pretty brown but they are a hybrid so they wouldn't breed true if you tried to breed them). They all get along sweetly. The Harlequins and the Runners are my favorites plus my sassy fatty loud Pekins from my first batch.

 

[chris dales]

The more I read up on them the more I'm thinking of getting 2 Harlequins and 2 Campbell's thereby being relatively quiet and be a good supplier of eggs whilst also being friendly for the kids. I may in the future (when i get more experienced) get another one of another breed that will make an attractive duck in the garden but not needed for eggs.

 

[chris dales]

I'm also thinking of waiting until next spring and getting them all as young ducklings so they all get on well (in theory any way).

 

[1MrsMagoo]

Metzer Farms has both these breeds available (can buy sexed birds) for shipping in early July. The only catch is they have a 10 duckling minimum order.

Maybe you know someone who is close and would like to spit an order? Or are you planning on getting these birds from local breeders?

Because you are probably going to run into the minimum order issue no matter which hatchery you want to order them from. Maybe others will chime in if they know of a hatchery with a smaller minimum order for ducklings that has both these breeds available sexed?

Otherwise, you are probably going to have to buy started or adult birds.

 

[zooweemama]

Metzer Farms has both these breeds available (can buy sexed birds) for shipping in early July. The only catch is they have a 10 duckling minimum order.

Maybe you know someone who is close and would like to spit an order? Or are you planning on getting these birds from local breeders?

Because you are probably going to run into the minimum order issue no matter which hatchery you want to order them from. Maybe others will chime in if they know of a hatchery with a smaller minimum order for ducklings that has both these breeds available sexed?

Otherwise, you are probably going to have to buy started or adult birds.

You can order less than 10 ducks...you just have to pay extra for shipping plus their minimum order fee. Which I did with my last set of 8. I ordered all females too. So if one doesn't mind paying more to get exactly what you want- you can get less.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

You can order less than 10 ducks...you just have to pay extra for shipping plus their minimum order fee. Which I did with my last set of 8. I ordered all females too. So if one doesn't mind paying more to get exactly what you want- you can get less.

Good to know. I don't buy much from hatcheries: I buy mostly hatching eggs and get my birds that way!

 

[zooweemama]

Good to know. I don't buy much from hatcheries: I buy mostly hatching eggs and get my birds that way!

It's really nice that they do that. It ends up costing more for sure. But it's really nice for people that are new to ducks and cannot make the commitment of 10 birds and only have room for a couple. Next year I think I want some Holderread geese though- so no getting around a minimum order. We have also been eyeing their Welsh Harlequins (and me secretly their Appleyard but haven't told the hubs yet). I threw ducks, chickens and geese on him in 3 months. Baby steps.