Duck Lovers Unite! - *A Chat Thread*

[Conan]

My Khaki Campbells...

That there is a swarm of ducks!

 

[Claires Poultry]

For hand raised ducks they are certainly scared of man. Here's my pekin and runners, 2 months old. How much bigger can they get?!?View attachment 1948826 View attachment 1948827

Beautiful ducks!! They sure are growing fast!

 

[Conan]

I don't know yet, this the first year I've had them. Mine hatched in August so they aren't laying yet.
I guess we'll find out if they lay in the winter, not this coming winter, but the next one.
Unless they miraculously start laying this winter!

I bet they'll start cranking out the eggs in January. My first ducks were Cayugas, late July hatch. They started laying in December... I was SO excited to find their eggs! I have to say, I'm still excited to collect eggs. It never really gets old.
My current group is mainly comprised of Welshies. They were born last summer (2018). They are actually still laying! They molted, then started back up. Between the eight younger hens in that group, I get between 4-6 eggs a day. I'm pretty impressed with them.

 

[Claires Poultry]

I bet they'll start cranking out the eggs in January. My first ducks were Cayugas, late July hatch. They started laying in December... I was SO excited to find their eggs! I have to say, I'm still excited to collect eggs. It never really gets old.
My current group is mainly comprised of Welshies. They were born last summer (2018). They are actually still laying! They molted, then started back up. Between the eight younger hens in that group, I get between 4-6 eggs a day. I'm pretty impressed with them.

There is always a possibility... Ya never know!
I hope you're right! That would be wonderful if they started in January!
However, you live in a much warmer climate than I do. I live in ND were it gets down to -30*F without the wind chill. I'm not sure if they'd start laying in that kind of weather, but I could be wrong.
I would be thrilled if they started before next spring!
I guess only time will tell! You've got me all excited now, like... What if?

 

[Conan]

There is always a possibility... Ya never know!
I hope you're right! That would be wonderful if they started in January!
However, you live in a much warmer climate than I do. I live in ND were it gets down to -30*F without the wind chill. I'm not sure if they'd start laying in that kind of weather, but I could be wrong.
I would be thrilled if they started before next spring!
I guess only time will tell! You've got me all excited now, like... What if?

-30! Brrr! Yes, ducks around these parts have it made during winter. We have a seasonal creek that only ices over for a couple weeks, tops, and we can usually crack through it. Nothing even close to -30... I suppose they use a lot more energy to keep warm, eh?

Do you keep chickens too?

 

[Claires Poultry]

Yeah, at that temperature they mostly focus on staying warm and surviving.

I have 6 chickens.

 

[Conan]

Yeah, at that temperature they mostly focus on staying warm and surviving.

I have 6 chickens.

Makes sense.

What breed(s) of chickens do you keep in those temps?

 

[Claires Poultry]

Makes sense.

What breed(s) of chickens do you keep in those temps?

Black Australorps...

 

[Kiwibird]

I live in ND were it gets down to -30*F without the wind chill.

That's mind-blowingly cold.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you supplement heating in winter in your coops Elly?