Finally! Miniature Overbergs!!- Updated now with Pics!

[briarpatchfarms]

Those are very pretty!

 

[Dances with Ducks]

They are gorgeous!! Do you know anything about the history of this breed? They look like they were breed from calls but they do have some other elements to their constitution like their bodies seem more elongated. It's really hard to find information on them. Did Holderread develop them?

 

[L0rraine]

They are lovely! Thanks for working through this for us all.

(and of course now we'll want more pics when they've hit the pool)

 

[pirtykitty]

They are gorgeous... One of these days I hope to get some too.. Did you have to special order them?? to get a females and a male... I don't think they offer them very often..
I hope you will be offering hatching eggs in the future..

 

[CityChicker]

Thanks everyone! I am glad to have them. I originally spoke to Holderread's about getting the birds several months ago. I am not sure though if they plan to ever sell them in large numbers. I know someone else here was lucky enough to get a couple of them in their duckling order, but they don't sell them that way.

I really hope they breed well this year. If they do, I may offer eggs or ducklings. I don't know much about the development of the miniatures, although I have some very good ideas on how they were developed. They are a harlequin phase dusky with homozygous blue dilution (Bl/Bl), basically Apricot Silver. Dave has said that not all of them hatch in the light phase, which is pretty consistent with some other breeds like the Silver Bantams. Their body type is also pretty consistent with the other bantam ducks. They are built less like Calls then the Silver Bantams, but more so then say a normal Mallard.

Anyway, let's hope they breed well!

 

[pirtykitty]

How are the new ducks doing... Have they gone swimming yet... would love to see pictures!!!!!

 

[CityChicker]

They are doing beautifully. They *have* got to go swimming a couple times (and quite enjoyed themselves). I put them all together out in a temporary flight cage. I am thinking now that I might keep them in a flight until the first of the year and then put them in my new raised breeding cages.

The Overbergs are still pretty skittish, but the Appleyards are very calm (especially the drakes). They calm right down when picked up and don't even attempt to get loose. That is so consistent with my other Mini Appleyards and one of the reasons I love the breed so much. They are going to be a huge asset to my existing stock. I can't wait to get babies from both!

 

[chickensioux]

Gorgeous duckies!!!! I love em! Can I have them?

 

[CityChicker]

I thought I would update you all on the new birdies! They are so amazing! I am so, so happy to have them. My husband today is moving them and some of our other new bantams out to an even larger area where we are going to keep them for a couple months. I am going to keep them flighted together probably until late January because I will be gone for several weeks over the holiday break.

All of the new birds are super calm and quiet. I have not heard one peep out of them. When we feed, they come right over to greet us. I did find out that Dave developed the Miniature Overbergs from Silver Bantams and Silver Headed Australian Spotteds to get the Apricot Silver color. I can't wait to breed them next year. I still haven't decided if I will sell any birds this year or not. I may hold back whatever is bred for future breeding stock and just sell some of the surplus in the Fall of 2010. We shall see. It just depends on what happens with some other things in my life. If something happens that I am not here to breed them next year, my brother will take over for me until I get back (we are thinking of spending a year back in Dallas).

Anyway, I will keep you updated!