First ducks - should I hatch or buy ducklings from a hatchery?

[Goobermeister]

Hey all, long time listener, first time caller. Hoping you guys can help me out.

I'm looking to get my first ducks spring 2021, and I'm diving head first into all the research before I dip my toes in the water. But I'm caught on whether to hatch from eggs or buy day olds from a commercial hatchery. From earlier threads most people seem to say get the day olds for a first timer. But I've read some concerning things about the quality/breed stock at hatcheries that are forcing me to consider hatching, but I don't know if it's a good idea for someone who's never owned poultry or has any experience with them. Right now, I have my heart pretty set on Anconas and I'd love to have all the colors. I'd ideally want vigorous animals and good representatives of the breed, but I have no plans on showing. There are no flocks/sellers in my area/future area, so I don't know any other way that can be better than these two options.

The way I see it:
Hatching Eggs:
PROS

• Potentially 'better' ducks, from smaller operations that care about breeding
• More control over color options
• Generally cheaper
• Get to watch the process from start to finish/learn a lot
• Easier to ship and less stress on the animal

CONS

• Will require investment in an incubator early on (but will probably buy one later down the line anyways)
• Have to manage the potentially stressful incubation process as a first time owner
• Can't control gender, and will have to deal with culling the drakes/finding homes for them
• More potential for disappointment and heartache for those that don't hatch or don't make it after hatching

Day old ducklings:
PROS

• Can control gender ratio/get only females
• Half the battle is over as they've already hatched

CONS

• Shipping timeline is crucial, and is uncertain right now
• Quality of animals/breed may not be the best
• Usually more expensive
• Potential to bring disease/sickness with them from the hatchery

Any input?

 

[jaykayhuff]

I personally love hatching. I hated the thoughts of my girls being shipped hatched and lost some. If it weren’t for the horrible ratio possibilities (which I indeed had) I would only hatch. Even with the losses, it isn’t near as bad as losing one that has already been hatched and alive for a few days. I will say though that the incubator definitely matters!

 

[Ratchnick]

If your the kind of person who can figure out how to hatch i would do that.

 

[EverythingDucks]

I was wondering the same. I'd want to just pick some up somewhere myself but I don't know where. Besides TSC but that may not be the best place to get them.

 

[Goobermeister]

I personally love hatching. I hated the thoughts of my girls being shipped hatched and lost some. If it weren’t for the horrible ratio possibilities (which I indeed had) I would only hatch.

Thanks for the input. The gender ratio is indeed worrying, and it can be scary to think about ordering a dozen eggs, maybe half of those hatching, and maybe half those being females that make it to adulthood, and potentially ending up with less than 3 females at the end of all that and a couple of drakes in the freezer. When for the same price I could have just gotten 3 day old females and not gone through all that rigamarole.

Even with the losses, it isn’t near as bad as losing one that has already been hatched and alive for a few days. I will say though that the incubator definitely matters!

As someone who has eaten balut, I guess it might be hyprocritical of me to say I'd be broken up over eggs not hatching, and you are right, seeing an egg vs seeing a hatched duckling not make it definitely seems a lot harder to cope with! I'll definitely research incubators too.

 

[Ratchnick]

The friendliest ducks seem to come from hatched eggs. Plus if you do it now, its just another tool for you to use in the future. You could even make your own balut!

 

[Goobermeister]

The friendliest ducks seem to come from hatched eggs. Plus if you do it now, its just another tool for you to use in the future. You could even make your own balut!

I guess it's more a question of confidence in my abilities as a newbie to handle the process with my heart and ducks intact and if I'll be able to cope with getting a less than desirable ratio than I hoped for. Otherwise, hatching eggs seem like the obvious choice!

Though I can't say I'm eager to revisit balut. My first go at them I didn't realize they were sold raw to be cooked and was horrified when I cracked open the egg and realized what I'd done. My second go I was much better prepared and boiled them beforehand, though I can't say the taste was worth all the hassle - and I say that as a filipino

 

[Critter721]

@learycow sells all colors Ancona ducklings and hatching eggs, and I believe will even sex them for you if you buy a trio (1 male, 2 females).

 

[Goobermeister]

@learycow sells all colors Ancona ducklings and hatching eggs, and I believe will even sex them for you if you buy a trio (1 male, 2 females).

I’ve definitely seen that name come up when I’ve searched through past threads regarding Anconas. Definitely on my list to contact when the time comes! Though I didn’t know about the possibility of sexing/trios. Interesting! Thanks for letting me know!

 

[Critter721]

Nice choice on breed, btw. Been on my wishlist, but didn't think I'd actually get to have any.

Just got my first ducklings last week. Ended up with a single lonely duckling (other two died from shipping stress due to covid delays), so went looking locally for some ducky friends. Lucky enough to find 2 Anconas and a Welshie. Here's a pic for cuteness.

There's also an Ancona Facebook group if you're on Facebook. That's how I was able to find a semi-local breeder.