Broody Hatchalong!

[WallacetheKhakiCampbell]

Haha! Mine do that too. It's frustrating. Moving my girl has been wonderful though. I can keep a close eye on her while making sure she's not disrupted or sitting on unwanted eggs.

So they are on day 19 now? Chirping and wobbling are actually fairly uncommon to see. You'll occasionally see an externally pipped egg rock, but unless you are sitting there staring at the eggs for several hours straight, you probably won't see anything before external pipping. Chirping is pretty rare to hear as well, unless you tap on the eggs once they're internally pipped. But I wouldn't reccomend doing that either.
Just watch and wait for external pipping. I up the humidity to 70% once i notice an external pip.

Okay thank you! I didn't know what to expect as this is my first hatch.

 

[WallacetheKhakiCampbell]

Oh yeah. Fudge has a HUGE plucked spot on her chest.

Okay good to know, I was worried for a minute. She plucked almost her entire breast, kind of scary looking the first time I saw it.

 

[WallacetheKhakiCampbell]

Also, @MGG, I remember from the other day that you have wood ducks. I have this aviary thing that i've only used as a grow out pen for Coturnix, but my dad and I really want something worth such a cool structure. So for awhile we were thinking ring-necked pheasants (also "native" where I live). But the more I think about it, I don't want some aggressive, flighty bird shooting up into the ceiling breaking their necks. So, I was watching YouTube this morning and was watching a video on Mandarin Ducks. Obviously I am not going to try for mandarins as the are CRAZY expensive and hard to find. But I don't know why I didn't think about having some type of wild duck in there! So my friend and I have started looking online for hatching eggs (wow they are expensive). But I am wondering where you found your ducks and maybe any insight for someone thinking about raising them.

 

[MGG]

Also, @MGG, I remember from the other day that you have wood ducks. I have this aviary thing that i've only used as a grow out pen for Coturnix, but my dad and I really want something worth such a cool structure. So for awhile we were thinking ring-necked pheasants (also "native" where I live). But the more I think about it, I don't want some aggressive, flighty bird shooting up into the ceiling breaking their necks. So, I was watching YouTube this morning and was watching a video on Mandarin Ducks. Obviously I am not going to try for mandarins as the are CRAZY expensive and hard to find. But I don't know why I didn't think about having some type of wild duck in there! So my friend and I have started looking online for hatching eggs (wow they are expensive). But I am wondering where you found your ducks and maybe any insight for someone thinking about raising them.

Yep! Do you have any pics of the pen? And what are the dimensions?
Yeah, ringnecks are kinda nutty. They are really not good pets. I raised a pair once and...
CRAZY birds.
Well...hatching eggs are not a good idea. Getting the ducklings/adults themselves is the best route. Hatching eggs are not guaranteed to hatch, do not handle shipping well, and are very dufficult to actually hatch. And then you have to take care of the babies. They are tough to get to eat sometimes too.
Getting ducklings would be the best option, imo. You are in Washington I see. Are you willing to travel at all?
I got some of my birds from a guy in MN.
@The Phantom in Wisconsin knows a lot of breeders of exotic fowl, and she breeds a lot herself. Maybe she can help you find some birds. I don't have many contacts yet, so I can't help much with breeders.
What kind of info are you looking for?
Mandarin ducks and Ringed teal are probably some of the cheapest waterfowl you can get.

 

[WallacetheKhakiCampbell]

Yep! Do you have any pics of the pen? And what are the dimensions?
Yeah, ringnecks are kinda nutty. They are really not good pets. I raised a pair once and...
CRAZY birds.
Well...hatching eggs are not a good idea. Getting the ducklings/adults themselves is the best route. Hatching eggs are not guaranteed to hatch, do not handle shipping well, and are very dufficult to actually hatch. And then you have to take care of the babies. They are tough to get to eat sometimes too.
Getting ducklings would be the best option, imo. You are in Washington I see. Are you willing to travel at all?
I got some of my birds from a guy in MN.
@The Phantom in Wisconsin knows a lot of breeders of exotic fowl, and she breeds a lot herself. Maybe she can help you find some birds. I don't have many contacts yet, so I can't help much with breeders.
What kind of info are you looking for?
Mandarin ducks and Ringed teal are probably some of the cheapest waterfowl you can get.

Thank you! Yeah I can go take some and post them. It's 37x11.5 feet. Sand bottom on top of concrete and drains well. A have a few plants in pots there but i'm always adding more.

Oh really! If I got 6 eggs though I would be totally happy ending up with just 2 . Can day olds be delivered? I don't know if I can really travel that far. Anywhere in Washington I can probably do but I don't think my dad is that willing to drive across multiple states for them.

For info I just mean if you had any tips or anything for a beginner. Mistakes I should be sure not to make.

Also, dumb question but where do they sleep. I know about the boxes and stuff but do both the hen and drake sleep in the same nest? Or do they just sleep on the ground like domestic ducks?

And how "kind" are they. I know they are a wild breed but i've heard of some being relatively docile.

Really!?! Mandarins??? Ive seen 6 eggs go for 300-400$! And I LOVE ringed teal. Are they also about the same temperament as wood ducks and mandarins?

 

[WallacetheKhakiCampbell]

Okay I read a bit more and maybe it could be better to go with a non-native species?

Im going to call my local WDFW and see what they say but I don't want to accidentally, illegally keep them. I cannot find anything online as to whether or not I can keep them in WA

But I love the idea of ringed teal or whistling ducks or some sort. I would go crazy for a pair of mandarins If that was possible too.

 

[MGG]

Okay I read a bit more and maybe it could be better to go with a non-native species?

Im going to call my local WDFW and see what they say but I don't want to accidentally, illegally keep them. I cannot find anything online as to whether or not I can keep them in WA

But I love the idea of ringed teal or whistling ducks or some sort. I would go crazy for a pair of mandarins If that was possible too.

I'll reply to your other post when I go inside! Mandarins are usually around $100 a pair.

 

[WallacetheKhakiCampbell]

I'll reply to your other post when I go inside! Mandarins are usually around $100 a pair.

Thank you!

 

[WallacetheKhakiCampbell]

Mandarins are usually around $100 a pair.

Where do you find them! I would love a pair, but the only source I can find sells them for $285 a pair (purelypoultry)

I could still save up awhile and my dad could help me pay for them too but if you know somewhere that can sell for $100 dollars I would love to try them.

Also when do they usually come into stock (if you know)?

 

[MGG]

Where do you find them! I would love a pair, but the only source I can find sells them for $285 a pair (purelypoultry)

I could still save up awhile and my dad could help me pay for them too but if you know somewhere that can sell for $100 dollars I would love to try them.

Also when do they usually come into stock (if you know)?

I still have to reply to your other post! I forgot that I didn't do that yet.

@The Phantom sells them for around $100 a pair I think, and she ships but I'm guessing only adults.
If you look on Softbills for Sale you might be able to find someone near you who has some. There's all sorts of crazy stuff that pops up on that site.
I know that they are laying now, with the first babies of the season either already hatched or due in about a week, from what I've heard.