First-Timer

[Miss Lydia]

Very sorry this happened I hope you can find some ducklings to go with your lil one when it hatches.

 

[littlecollier]

Searching high and low locally, and I just reached out to a breeder in Maine that I found on BYC. I'd have to get twice as many as I planned on to order from him, but the birds look healthy and I can get all females. Crossing my fingers his shipping rates aren't insane. Otherwise, there's a woman in Portland that our friend got her's from, though I don't think she'll sex and I really don't want to end up with all males accidentally!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Metzers is on your side of the country and I think they sell sexed ducklings

 

[littlecollier]

@Miss Lydia They do, but it looks like most of the breeds I'm interested in won't have enough available to ship until June ... Do you think the little one would survive on it's own for that long? Would I have problems integrating them with that much of an age difference?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well you'd have to make some accommodations like spending a lot of time with the duckling who is going to imprint on you since your going to be the first person it sees when it hatches. You can put a stuffed animal in with it and a non Breakable mirror in that seems to help a lot then when your new ducklings arrive you have to start intros slowly since there will be such a big difference in size and maturity. But it can be done. What about Purely Poultry they have breeders all over the country and I think they sell sexed too.

 

[littlecollier]

I'll look into that, too. Crossing my fingers the local lady gets back to me with good news. I'm happy to hear that a late introduction shouldn't be a total disaster and that it could potentially work out!

Thank you again for all of your knowledge, support and suggestions! I am so grateful!

 

[littlecollier]

Amazing news! The woman who raises Anconas locally has a hatch happening right now. We should be able to get a pair tomorrow and then introduce our egg if/when it hatches toward the end of the week. Since they'll be about a week apart in age, that shouldn't be a huge issue, correct? Should I keep it separate when it first hatches? Now I have a whole new set if issues to research/take care of ...

 

[WVduckchick]

I have to agree with Pyxis' assessment of the eggs. So sorry. Glad you found some ducklings!

I'm curious, Are you hand turning the eggs or are they in a turner? I've had several CAM issues this year too. Seems to be from ones that don't get turned enough, mine have been shipped eggs that I was being extra careful with.

(and I apologize for not getting your tag last week. It seems to be happening to me alot

 

[littlecollier]

No need to apologize @WVduckchick !

I have an automatic turner (supposedly!) but I’m not sure how effective it’s been? I’m slightly worried about the last viable egg because it doesn’t seem to take up the whole egg, either. It almost looks like there’s an empty space on the back like the others.

I’ll take a photo next time I candle and post it. Perhaps I’m just being paranoid now.

Got the last of my supplies this afternoon and hope to pick up the new babies tomorrow. I’m sad about the eggs but very excited for ducklings!

 

[littlecollier]

Brooder is set up and heater is pre-heating. Hoping everything turns out well tomorrow!