Goobermeister
Chirping
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
PROS
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
- 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
PROS
- Can control gender ratio/get only females
- Half the battle is over as they've already hatched
- 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