Deb's Flock - new ducklings March 2016 (pic heavy)

[room onthebroom]

I'm trying to find a Cayuga breeder in San Diego, but not having much luck. The feed stores get them in every now & then, but they go pretty quick. Do you guys know how to sex them when they're that young?

 

[Debs Flock]

I'm trying to find a Cayuga breeder in San Diego, but not having much luck. The feed stores get them in every now & then, but they go pretty quick. Do you guys know how to sex them when they're that young?

You can order sexed Cayugas from Metzers & I think they're located in CA.

I watched a You Tube video by Metzers and learned how to vent sex. I was able to check Peggy & she was female. You do have to be careful. Obviously, too much squeezing on a duckling can do damage & may cause death. That said, a day old duckling handled gently seemed rather easy to sex.

 

[Tevyes Dad]

Metzer's is about 400 miles from San Diego.

Nice pics DF

they are getting that tell-tale patterning in their fluff that says, "the feathers are coming..." Such big beautiful girls already. They are lucky they get to go outside earlier in life than mine. Hopefully after this weekend we will be set up so that I can comfortably leave mine outside for the day even when I am working. They love the extra stimulation. (and the free choice pool.)

 

[Debs Flock]

Metzer's is about 400 miles from San Diego.

Nice pics DF

they are getting that tell-tale patterning in their fluff that says, "the feathers are coming..." Such big beautiful girls already. They are lucky they get to go outside earlier in life than mine. Hopefully after this weekend we will be set up so that I can comfortably leave mine outside for the day even when I am working. They love the extra stimulation. (and the free choice pool.)

Thanks. We're just lucky the temps are warm enough. I sit out there with them for an hour and a half or so. Cricket actually hissed at one of the adults (Alfalfa) today. They still have a chicken wire fence between them. Alfie is the only one that gets close to that boundary & puts her head down at the ducklings. Cricket charged the fence and opened her mouth on 2 other days when Alfie did the head down thing. I'm guessing today is just the first time I could hear the hiss.

 

[Julie Birb]

Pics from outside play today...

IN LOVE DEBS. IN LOVE. OBSERVE THEM PANCAKING ON THE LAWN. SITTING IN THE WATER. THEIR FACES. WEBS. WEBS. THEY ARE DUCKS FROM THE BRANCH OF BIRB.

 

[room onthebroom]

I had no idea Metzer was in California. I've been on their sight many times for info on breeds, but assumed they were back east. I just found out you can actually pick up from their location too. Monterey is pretty far, but WAY closer than TN. I'll check out the sexing youtube videos. Thanks for all the help Deb! If I still decide I want a Hissing Cricket, I promise to be very gentle with the duct tape.

-Charlene

 

[Julie Birb]

Bailey looks extra soft....

Eeeeeeeeeeeeee, soft and Bailey in the same sentence. Extra....

 

[caesargirl]

Smooches for all the warm, soft babies

 

[Debs Flock]

I had no idea Metzer was in California. I've been on their sight many times for info on breeds, but assumed they were back east. I just found out you can actually pick up from their location too. Monterey is pretty far, but WAY closer than TN. I'll check out the sexing youtube videos. Thanks for all the help Deb! If I still decide I want a Hissing Cricket, I promise to be very gentle with the duct tape.

-Charlene

LOL...hissing Cricket. That is still funny to me.

Do you have ducks now, Charlene?

 

[room onthebroom]

I just have one Swedish Blue named Mako (rhymes with taco.) She loves my chickens & is bonded with my dark Brahma, but I worry about her not being around other ducks. I was hoping to sneak a duckling in with our next batch of chicks (no DH, that's not a duck, thats just really, REALLY big chick that likes to play in the sink.) but I realized she'd be introduced to the Big Girls way before the chicks would & be all by herself. I'm figuring now the best idea is to get two for newbie support & tell DH they're both giant chickens.

I'd like a Cayuga (Cricket Jr.) & a Runner. I hear those Runners are hysterical pets, but I don't if they can crouch down low enough to fit in the pop door.