Duck Fever-I Knew This Was Contagious LOL

[Goin Quackrrs]

Well, the first time I got ducks was 2 years ago, picked up 2 straight run Cayugas from my favorite feed store. They were a pair! Louie and Thelma. Then I hatched some call ducklings, and added them. My then-landlady had a conniption fit after a while, so I rehomed the calls. (For some reason, she didn't like ducks.) Then a predator killed Thelma whilst she was broody on her nest under the land-lady's relative's "stored" car in the front yard. Louie was a widower, in a flock of 50+ chickens.

I needed a wife for him. I picked up four straight run Cayuga ducklings. Lost one during the brooding stage in the house (my fault) and hid the 3 ducklings in a grow out pen on the far side of the backyard yard after they were old enough to go outside. This was a year ago. They were ALL MALE.

And I started looking for a house to buy with some property - and found one in April, escrow closed in May, it took two more months to get the well pump situation handled so there was running water for my new home. Almost two-thirds of an acre. I moved my flock at the end of July 2011.

So, in August, I ordered six sexed Cayuga ducklings from Metzer Farms. Two were taken by predators when they got out of their pen during the night and wandered the property. So that leaves me with four drakes and four ducks. Not a great ratio... but they're working it out. I also added two call ducks and a pair of Toulouse geese. We won't even go into how my chicken population has changed.

But, yes.... ducks are incredibly addictive! My Cayuga girls are starting to lay now....

I have the most incredibly bad luck with fawn and white runner ducks. All but one have been drakes. I keep saying I'm never going to buy unsexed f&w's again.

I love cayugas. I need a few more, I only have one right now. How is their temperament? Mine is the most skittish of my flock.

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

That is so sad, I am so very sorry. I have a fear my little Monica isnt going to make it. Her siblings are growing like weeds but she hasnt changed one bit. I hope she is just a late bloomer and pulls through okay. I think it might have been the stress of shipping of only the 3 and they took so long to get here after they hatched. They all seemed to have some sort of problem, but so far everyone is alright. I check on them every 5mins, I work at home right now so that is a plus. Because of all this, Im worried about shipping any more ducklings.... On a lighter note, I have to get my girls some lower protien feed at a very nice feedstore outside of town... Maybe I will find a few siblings for my little ladys

Thinking positive thoughts for your little Monica!

Moral of my story is: know your feedstore. Some are great, some are not so.

Oh, and out of that batch of ducklings, the four that survived gave me three drakes, including one that was supposed to be a fawn and white runner and turned out to be... umm... something that looks like a pekin/swede cross. We just call him "Big Duck."

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Ok.. I started with 3 chicks and 3 ducks this time last year. Now I have 12 ducks and 16 chickens.

And then there's the bator....

5 more hatching now
10 hatching next week
2 Sebbie eggs internally pipping like.. right now.
10 black javas due next week.

AHHHHH!!!!! We are currently looking for acreage. lol.

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

Ok.. I started with 3 chicks and 3 ducks this time last year. Now I have 12 ducks and 16 chickens.

And then there's the bator....

5 more hatching now
10 hatching next week
2 Sebbie eggs internally pipping like.. right now.
10 black javas due next week.

AHHHHH!!!!! We are currently looking for acreage. lol.

I refuse to count my ducks. I'd be better off not knowing.

Oh wait, there's 5.

1) Runners
2) Pekins
3) Swedes
4) Cayuga
5) Khakis

Mixed breeds don't count if you have both varieties in the mix right?

Duck math!

 

[Dolly1218]

Ok.. I started with 3 chicks and 3 ducks this time last year. Now I have 12 ducks and 16 chickens.

And then there's the bator....

5 more hatching now
10 hatching next week
2 Sebbie eggs internally pipping like.. right now.
10 black javas due next week.

AHHHHH!!!!! We are currently looking for acreage. lol.

Yay! You sound like you will have your hands full with babies when they all hatch! I would love to hatch Sebbies. Where did you get your eggs?

Thinking positive thoughts for your little Monica!

Moral of my story is: know your feedstore. Some are great, some are not so.

Oh, and out of that batch of ducklings, the four that survived gave me three drakes, including one that was supposed to be a fawn and white runner and turned out to be... umm... something that looks like a pekin/swede cross. We just call him "Big Duck."

Thank you very much! They feedstore I am going to tomorrow is I believe a little family owned one, and they are very helpful and patient. I went to a different one closer in town and boy were they rude, rushing me out the door because it was 4:45 and they closed at 5. Not returning there again, Ill drive 30mins outside of town to get all my ducky supplies and a friendly smile

 

[Tahai]

I definitely have DF syndrome.

I researched for 2 years before I placed my order. I didn't really want 10 ducks, but it was the minimum order, so I decided I could send the extra drakes to freezer camp...

So...a couple of months passed, I started hanging out on this board, and I thought "gee, if I'm going to have 10, what's another couple more?" I resisted, and resisted, and resisted some more...then I caved. Emailed Holderread's and added 4 Cayugas to my order.

OK. I can deal with 14 ducks. Really.

But wow! I love those Saxonies. And really, if I just get 2, it won't be that many more. And if I order them now, I won't have to order 10 down the road when I finally cave.

So far I'm resisting. If I can make it just another week, it will be too late to add them.

resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist......

 

[Dolly1218]

That is how Im feeling. Whats 3 or 5 more? If you think about it, that isnt too many. 8 ducks, thats still under my 10 bird limit within the city, and odd numbers really are bad, so I should add a few more ducklings while mine are young so they can eat the same feed. That makes complete sense to me!

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

I definitely have DF syndrome.

I researched for 2 years before I placed my order. I didn't really want 10 ducks, but it was the minimum order, so I decided I could send the extra drakes to freezer camp...

So...a couple of months passed, I started hanging out on this board, and I thought "gee, if I'm going to have 10, what's another couple more?" I resisted, and resisted, and resisted some more...then I caved. Emailed Holderread's and added 4 Cayugas to my order.

OK. I can deal with 14 ducks. Really.

But wow! I love those Saxonies. And really, if I just get 2, it won't be that many more. And if I order them now, I won't have to order 10 down the road when I finally cave.

So far I'm resisting. If I can make it just another week, it will be too late to add them.

resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist-resist......

If I had a couple Saxonies, my flock would be complete. Until hatching season comes again...

 

[Dolly1218]

I was just looking at Saxonys they are very pretty. Can they fly? I seem to have read yes and no. Go figure lol.
*I mean fly far like Call ducks fly around but heavier ducks can fly a few feet or so..

 

[m.kitchengirl]

When are you moving?
I lived in Colorado for 7 years & have been in Maine for almost a year now.
I LOVE Maine. It is sort of like being on a different planet a lot of the time. I think 80% of the people in my county raise backyard flocks.


Quote:
I'm with you. As long as they are girls. I ordered 2 WH females & a Cayuga female for Spring. Am going to try to hatch some of my Anconas & keep a girl or two as well, then remove the drake and his favorite lady to a larger farm with more girls. I have decided I am not cut out for breeding, but can definitely enjoy a laying flock to keep my pantry stocked with baked goods.