Colorado

[21hens-incharge]

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/grd/5092153558.html

Not sure if anyone is interested in them but they sure are cute ducks.
Pastel call ducks and only $15 each.

 

[COChix]

CoChix did you order it too???

I am sorry order what? Remember we are downsizing...,

 

[intangible04]

We hatched Creams for two years, but gave up on them and their horrible genetics. Not enough diversity, and had two of the meanest Roos ever. I have 8 Cream hens left, and just hatch their Cochin mixes for green eggs. Now we have Swedish Flower Hens we're growing out, and hoping their Roos are much nicer.
I was looking to order the super blue layers, but can't find any I like right now. Well just wait it out, and hatch more Swedish in a couple months.
I might have to stop using the turner in our incubator, so I only have to adjust the temp once. We'll see.

Well that's a bummer! I was really excited since they're auto-sexing and lay sky blue eggs!

Quote:

I assume you do butcher your own. Do you have a plucker? I'm debating purchasing one but would need to figure out the break even point. I have been looking into DIY, since that's my style, but I'm so busy I don't know when I'd do it. Of course though, not having birds that are ready for the freezer I do have some time. Really contemplating hatching my own and doing those but would prefer a quick turn around which I know only really comes with Cornish birds.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Be still my beating heart..... Ideal has even MORE specials right now. HOLY COW hatchery choice ducklings for 1.15 each.

 

[PrettyWhitty23]

Be still my beating heart..... Ideal has even MORE specials right now. HOLY COW hatchery choice ducklings for 1.15 each.

Ah! I've been wanting ducks forever!!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Now would be the time to get them lol. Just hoping the weather is good enough to ship them.

Yes 20 ducklings can be a lot but then you can sell any breed you did not want to get.

 

[suncatcher]

Quote: Ah, forgot you are downsizing, sorry!

Quote: Well that's a bummer! I was really excited since they're auto-sexing and lay sky blue eggs!

Quote:

I assume you do butcher your own. Do you have a plucker? I'm debating purchasing one but would need to figure out the break even point. I have been looking into DIY, since that's my style, but I'm so busy I don't know when I'd do it. Of course though, not having birds that are ready for the freezer I do have some time. Really contemplating hatching my own and doing those but would prefer a quick turn around which I know only really comes with Cornish birds.
We have yet to process any, may go with skinning them, or the hot water and hand plucking, as we will only be doing five to seven at a time..... no freezer room for more atm.

Now would be the time to get them lol. Just hoping the weather is good enough to ship them.

Yes 20 ducklings can be a lot but then you can sell any breed you did not want to get.

I have seen several WTB duckling ads on CL this past week. Should be easy to get rid of the extra's.

 

[Mtn Margie]

Scalding and hand plucking is very easy. That is how I do mine and we process about 25 at a time. You need to have back-up hot water in order to be able to change out the water as it gets pretty dirty, depending on what kind of birds you have. The CX's are (I hear) dirtier than the other birds that range more and so I would imagine, changing the water more often would be wise.

 

[intangible04]

Ah, forgot you are downsizing, sorry! 

We have yet to process any, may go with skinning them, or the hot water and hand plucking, as we will only be doing five to seven at a time..... no freezer room for more atm.

I have seen several WTB duckling ads on CL this past week.  Should be easy to get rid of the extra's.

I have yet to do any either. I was thinking skinning would be the way to go but wouldn't mind trying a couple that aren't. Like you, I only have room for maybe 3-4.

Scalding and hand plucking is very easy.   That is how I do mine and we process about 25 at a time.  You need to have back-up hot water in order to be able to change out the water as it gets pretty dirty, depending on what kind of birds you have.  The CX's  are (I hear) dirtier than the other birds that range more and so I would imagine, changing the water more often would be wise.

About how long per bird would you say it takes?

It sounds like you just do barnyard mixes and not the CXs. How long do you wait until processing them?


If I hatch out any it would be a Black Copper Marans rooster x Buff Orpington. I'm thinking that would be a decent meat bird but I'm in the city and can't have more than 10 chickens older than 4 months. CXs would be great but I'd rather hatch out mine since it would be cheaper.

 

[suncatcher]

Quote: Wow, bet Orps and Marans would be an awesome cross size wise! Let us know what they weigh when they get close to butchering age! Right now I have Barnevelder crosses, mostly with laying type hens, Austrawhites, Java's, Marans, etc..... Looks like I am finally getting some OE's hatching!!! Yay!!!