Friendliest Duck?

[Wifezilla]

Yup....paid extra to make sure I only got girls since I already had a drake. Now I need to get rid of him and get my hands on one of Cetawin's handsome boys so I can keep those egg laying genes going

 

[NewToQuail]

I think I might just go with all females, as I don't really like the idea of eating fertilized eggs (and it would be soo tempting to incubate them!).

Would it work to get one WH and one Ancona and one mini appleyard?

How did you guys get your ducks? I could only find one hatchery that even sells the WH, but the minimum order was 10 so that they stay warm... I don't know if I could find anyone who would want 7 ducks if I were to split an order.

As for the coopers, I may just build an enclosed pen in part of the yard (as I will probably be building one for my button quail and the area under the deck would likely work fine for part of the day) and only let them out in the yard when someone is home to keep an eye on them.

 

[rainplace]

order 10 and put the ones you don't want up on craigslist!

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Once I had 5 rouens and 6 khaki campbells, juveniles but grown and feathered, that followed me around the yard in a line

These little guys were kept in the house for the first week or so of their life, then moved outside into a bigger brooder, still being handled just as much.
When I'd sit down, they'd all come up and try to eat my clothes, fingers, toes, and hair

It was awesome!
But now I have two mallards that I've had since ducklings, who are not tame at all. Then again, I had to chase them around and catch them from their mom at the guy's house. So they learned from the beginning I wasn't good, LOL.

 

[streemers]

i got my WH's from Metzer Farms and they are very healthy ducks. anyway you can order as little as 2 ducklings from them. i always do a few more then i need because they are young and sometimes 1 or 2 die in shipping.
last year i ordered from mcmurrey

 

[Wifezilla]

I split an order of 6 with someone in a nearby town.

 

[Sweetfolly]

You can always try posting a wanted ad on craigslist just to see if there's anyone raising ducks in your area - that's how I got my Mallard ducklings this year. I posted an ad with a list of breeds I wanted and a list of breeds I definately didn't want, and made it very clear that I only wanted to buy a few. Within a week, I had 3 promising responses and chose the one that sent me the most personable e-mail. That way, you can save yourself the cost of shipping from a hatchery.

 

[NewToQuail]

Quote:
I was confused about Metzer, since it says "ducklings and goslings- 2" then below says "ducklings-10." If I do go with WH that is probably where I will order from...

I have thought about posting on craigslist to either find a place near by to buy from or to find someone to split an order with... I guess that's something I'll have to figure out closer to when I can actually get ducks.

 

[Cetawin]

I ordered from Holderread but they do not sex the ducklings only the older ones of course.

I really like both of the breeds I have and love em too pieces. I think you will be happy with the harlequins but I have a soft spot in my heart for the anconas because they are so threatened with only a few breeders left. So, I am hoping to hook everyone on Anconas next spring. hehehe

Eating the fertilized eggs is truly no biggie, they look no different nor taste no different. Just eat them fresh and keep them refrigerated. It is a mental thing that you can either handle or not but don't let that make your decision about getting a little boy because the drakes are really fun to have around...at least so far mine are. hahahaha

Wifezilla said: Now I need to get rid of him and get my hands on one of Cetawin's handsome boys so I can keep those egg laying genes going

Just travel Northwesterly and I can travel Southeasterly and we can arrange that. You really need a vacation...spending so much time with just ducks will make you go quackers ya know.

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
Don't do it!

Bad idea. I ordered 10 thinking no biggie...I would butcher my extra drakes.

Yeah right. I got 11, 6 of which are drakes and now I am awaiting my two small coops I ordered to arrive to make a bachelor pad for my extra boys.