BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[holm25]

Awesome!!! I am a huge Alton Brown fan (I just made his Churn Baby Churn #2 ice cream this evening). And yes, you're making me want to raise ducks as well... Very nice! I got my current Naked Necks from Ideal, and the rooster that I selected as the main flock leader has a rose comb - I suspect he may be part Wyandotte... He's a pretty big boy. (I wish his libido would slow down - I really need to make some aprons for his hens...) - Ant Farm

He is beautiful AntFarm!

 

[bramblefir]

Now I want to raise Ducks!

Awesome!!! I am a huge Alton Brown fan (I just made his Churn Baby Churn #2 ice cream this evening). And yes, you're making me want to raise ducks as well...

Very nice! I got my current Naked Necks from Ideal, and the rooster that I selected as the main flock leader has a rose comb - I suspect he may be part Wyandotte... He's a pretty big boy. (I wish his libido would slow down - I really need to make some aprons for his hens...)

- Ant Farm

Well, they're pretty easy to raise, just messy in the brooder. The only difficult part was plucking the down feathers. If I were to do more than 2 at a time then I would invest in some of the wax used for plucking waterfowl. All of their other feathers came off super easy with the usual scalding (but hotter, around 160F). Gutting was easier than on a chicken because the cavities were bigger.

The ducks I butchered were both Grimaud Hybrid Pekins from Metzers. They recommended butchering at 49 days and I did the 2 at 48 days. After seeing the number of pin feathers still on them (mostly down pin feathers, ugh!), I'll be doing all other ducks at 8 weeks minimum. The cull Welsh Harlequin drakes will be going into the freezer around 12 weeks of age.

 

[ronott1]

Well, they're pretty easy to raise, just messy in the brooder. The only difficult part was plucking the down feathers. If I were to do more than 2 at a time then I would invest in some of the wax used for plucking waterfowl. All of their other feathers came off super easy with the usual scalding (but hotter, around 160F). Gutting was easier than on a chicken because the cavities were bigger.

The ducks I butchered were both Grimaud Hybrid Pekins from Metzers. They recommended butchering at 49 days and I did the 2 at 48 days. After seeing the number of pin feathers still on them (mostly down pin feathers, ugh!), I'll be doing all other ducks at 8 weeks minimum. The cull Welsh Harlequin drakes will be going into the freezer around 12 weeks of age.

That is amazing!

Metzers is not too far from me either.

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

Y'all are making me hungry, and I have chores to do!

 

[bramblefir]

That is amazing!

Metzers is not too far from me either.

I know! The ducks grow so fast. They're like luxury Cornish X without having to worry about legs giving out or ascites.

They like our wet Western Oregon climate too. I turned them all out on pasture the other day in the pouring rain with thunder and lightning over head and they were all as happy as could be - I, of course, was just hoping not to get electrocuted while doing my chores.

 

[Beer can]

Got my Cackle naked necks. Wife says they are the ugliest things she ever saw, me and the kids think they're cute
I thought a some died the first night, they like to just sprawl out on their sides legs sticking out when they sleep Lol!

That one at least had a pillow. The feed dish is usually full

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

Beer Can,
Guess what? I agree with your wife! Especially when they grow up.
Kurt

 

[cyborg]

Beer Can,
Guess what? I agree with your wife! Especially when they grow up.
Kurt

X2!!!

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Some of myBuckeye and Buckeye x Dark Cornish chicks. Two weeks old. They are very calm, quiet chicks, so far I'm extremely pleased especially with the cross.


Buckeye x Cornish chick.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Got my Cackle naked necks. Wife says they are the ugliest things she ever saw, me and the kids think they're cute

I thought a some died the first night, they like to just sprawl out on their sides legs sticking out when they sleep Lol!

That one at least had a pillow. The feed dish is usually full

Awwwwww... I think NN chicks are just SO cute. I love watching them drape their little tiny necks across each others' backs in a pile in the brooder.

Beer Can,
Guess what? I agree with your wife! Especially when they grow up.
Kurt

Quote:

- Ant Farm