Flock additions and subtractions -- questions

[MerryMeridional]

After acquiring mutt ducks with their own pros and cons, I want to grow my flock with quality birds. I considered the White Layers from Metzer because egg laying is important to me, but then thought.... I live in Oregon, driving distance to Holderread's. I grow heirloom vegetables and try to do things the natural and healthy way when possible. Why not get quality heritage breeds from one of the best duck farms in the country, if not world?

So, I've contacted them and put my name on their interested list for yearling Welsh Harlequins. I am hoping for 3 females and possible a drake, but the likelihood of that becoming available is slim. I will probably end up driving over for day olds in the early spring. They sell their day olds straight run.

If I end up with too many drakes I will have to decide whether to rehome or cull. If I cannot rehome then I will definitely have to cull. I'm not terribly excited at that prospect. Does anyone have tips on how to humanely do this, or link to a guide? I have never done anything like this before. I would also love tips or a link to a guide on how to process a duck carcass. I've bought whole chickens before from the store but never had to deal with feathers or organs.

It is a dream of mine to have a small homestead so maybe this is a good practice run. The circle of life....it can be harsh, but it does not have to be inhumane.

 

[BYCforlife]

The best way to dispatch them for butchering is a quick slit to the throat with a really sharp knife. Use a restraining cone or a feed bag with a hole in the corner to keep them from flopping around.

All I can say for processing is that ducks are harder to pluck, so skinning might be a good option. I don't have experience with ducks, though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Claires Poultry

 

[MerryMeridional]

CR?

 

[DuckyDonna]

Who’s cr trying to fool?

Certainly NOT me!

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

If you have watched 50 Ducks in a Hot Tub on YouTube, Matt (I think it is) does videos of culling and processing his ducks.

 

[Claires Poultry]

Here is a link to a duck butchering guide:
https://ladyleeshome.com/how-to-butcher-a-duck/

 

[lomine]

There's a few good threads in the Meat forum here on BYC. I've done mostly chickens but have butchered 3 ducks. The biggest difference, as mentioned, is the plucking. Even with a yardbird auto pucker and putting dish soap in the scalding water, the ducks were hard to pluck. I've got some extra drakes from this years hatch that needs to be done and this time I'm going to try the wax method. I found a youtube video I liked but now I can't find it. The guy dry plucked what he could (including on wing), and then dunked the duck in warm water that had paraffin wax melted in it. Then he dunked it in ice water. Then peeled the wax and all the remaining down and pin feathers came with it.

I got WH and Saxony from Holderreads last year. They are such amazing examples of the breeds. You won't regret getting ducks from them.

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

There's a few good threads in the Meat forum here on BYC. I've done mostly chickens but have butchered 3 ducks. The biggest difference, as mentioned, is the plucking. Even with a yardbird auto pucker and putting dish soap in the scalding water, the ducks were hard to pluck. I've got some extra drakes from this years hatch that needs to be done and this time I'm going to try the wax method. I found a youtube video I liked but now I can't find it. The guy dry plucked what he could (including on wing), and then dunked the duck in warm water that had paraffin wax melted in it. Then he dunked it in ice water. Then peeled the wax and all the remaining down and pin feathers came with it.

I got WH and Saxony from Holderreads last year. They are such amazing examples of the breeds. You won't regret getting ducks from them.

I think I’ve seen that video. It could have been from one of those homestead channels.

 

[lomine]

I found it.