duck hatcheries

[bibliophile birds]

Quote:
in that case, can you suggest another website that would show good quality birds? i'm ordering a copy of SoP but websites are really handy to have as a reference.

 

[smithzoo100]

Definitely go to Holderread's for ducks!! They are wonderful to deal with and more than willing to answer any questions. Not to mention that, when you purchase birds from them, you are helping to support a working Preservation Farm. A win/win imo. www.holderreadfarm.com. I have ordered from Metzer years ago and they, too, have been great to deal with and their ducklings and goslings were very vigorous and healthy. They are also closer to me in California so that was a consideration. I still have 2 of the original Toulouse geese that I got from them and they will be 12 or 13 this Spring!

 

[Wifezilla]

From what you said you needed...

Order from Holderreads...and get the Welsh Harlequins.

They are friendly, good meat birds, and good egg layers. Plus they don't fly.

I have 2 Holderreads birds I bought from someone in Denver. Despite them being raised in a big group, they are as friendly as my Metzer Welsh Harlequins I raised from a few days old. The quality difference between the Metzer ducks and the Holderreads ducks is very apparent. The Metzer ducks have the advantage of being able to be sexed and ordered in small qty, but the Holderreads ducks are much closer to type.

The drakes are handsome devils aren't they?

This is Wendy, a Metzer girl

Shelley is also a Metzer girl...

As you can see her bill stayed splotchy instead of turning dark like it is supposed to.

Lexus has the proper coloring. She is on the left. (Wendy is on the right)

Buffs are also a good meat and egg bird. The buff I had was kind of obnoxious though. She was friendly to people but agressive towards the other ducks. And the carcasses on the Welsh Harlequins are supposed to dress out better.

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
in that case, can you suggest another website that would show good quality birds? i'm ordering a copy of SoP but websites are really handy to have as a reference.

Try doing searches for individual breed clubs. Where they exist they are good sources for pictures & info. Unfortunately not all breeds have active clubs & not all clubs have web sites.

 

[purelypoultry]

Especially in waterfowl there are few duck breed clubs. We have put together a list of Poultry Clubs

I might suggest the International Waterfowl Breeders Association of which we are a member.