Duckling help

[DaphneTheDuck]

After much looking we have found somewhere that has ducklings we are getting two white hybrid egg laying ducks this weekend both females. I was wandering what age they begin laying and what two breeds of duck go together to make a white hybrid? Finally what age do I stop feeding the chick crumb?

 

[DuckGirl77]

@WannaBeHillBilly has white layers and might know something about what the mix is and when they start laying. In general ducks begin laying between 4-7 months, but it differs depending on lightweight/heavyweight breeds.

As far as the starter, I would say it depends on the protein level. Check the percentage and compare it to Metzer farms' nutritional chart here: https://www.metzerfarms.com/NutritionalRequirements.cfm
I kept mine on purina flock raiser (20% protein) until they began to lay, if I remember right.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

White Layers are wonderful ducks! - At least mine are.
They are as goofy as Peking Ducks but without the permanent worry about leg and hip problems. My White Layers started to lay at the beginning of their fourth month, around 13 weeks and they have been laying continuously since then.
I have no clue what kind of breeds went into the White Layer, but there must be some Pekin in the genes, considering their ravenous appetite. A cross between White Layer and Buff Orpington resulted in a brown/black colored drake, the pattern is almost wild, but there is no green in that guy. And he is very relaxed.
I stopped feeding them duckling food when they were two months old and went outside with the grown-ups, where they gorged on tasty pellets and started to drill for worms, larvae and roots.

 

[DaphneTheDuck]

White Layers are wonderful ducks! - At least mine are.
They are as goofy as Peking Ducks but without the permanent worry about leg and hip problems. My White Layers started to lay at the beginning of their fourth month, around 13 weeks and they have been laying continuously since then.
I have no clue what kind of breeds went into the White Layer, but there must be some Pekin in the genes, considering their ravenous appetite. A cross between White Layer and Buff Orpington resulted in a brown/black colored drake, the pattern is almost wild, but there is no green in that guy. And he is very relaxed.
I stopped feeding them duckling food when they were two months old and went outside with the grown-ups, where they gorged on tasty pellets and started to drill for worms, larvae and roots.

Thanks for the answers and what age are you white hybrids and do yours still lay?

 

[NuggetTheChicken]

I also have some white layers. Mine are about 13 weeks old. @WannaBeHillBilly , should I up their calcium levels by now?

 

[DaphneTheDuck]

I also have some white layers. Mine are about 13 weeks old. @WannaBeHillBilly , should I up their calcium levels by now?

Are yours laying?

 

[NuggetTheChicken]

Are yours laying?

Nope, but are hopefully a few weeks away. I'll let you now if they do start laying

 

[DaphneTheDuck]

Nope, but are hopefully a few weeks away. I'll let you now if they do start laying

Thanks. And will mine start laying this year if I get them on Saturday and they are 2 days old will they have time to mature and lay this year?

 

[NuggetTheChicken]

Thanks. And will mine start laying this year if I get them on Saturday and they are 2 days old will they have time to mature and lay this year?

Hopefully they should start laying by September or October. They may also lay after winter. Are you in a mild area?

 

[DaphneTheDuck]

Hopefully they should start laying by September or October. They may also lay after winter. Are you in a mild area?

I'm in England