Help me plan my duckling purchase

[bramblefir]

My husband has approved my plans to get some ducks. We have plenty of space and housing for them and they (I assume anyway) can spend their days out on pasture with our geese. The geese have a kiddie pool that they are a bit territorial of, so I suspect additional pools might be necessary.

Currently there are 2 breeds that we definitely want:

Cayuga (my husband's favorite)
Welsh Harlequin (my favorite)

I'm also seriously considering getting Ancona and Blue Swedish.

So here's what I need some thoughts on. I could get all 4 of these breeds from Cackle, straight run. I could get 3 of these breeds from Metzers, sexed. Holderreads has excellent quality birds for our top 2 breeds (they're out of Cayugas currently), straight run, AND I have family close to them that could pick up and drive them to me. What to do, what to do....

Now, Cackle is done shipping ducks in July. If I were to get ducklings in July that would have them reach laying age in December or January. Will the ducks start laying then or wait until the light increases? Metzer has hatching dates out to October which would put the ducks at laying age in the spring. I'm not sure how long the Holderreads hatch for.

Anything else I should be considering?

 

[Amiga]

First, let me welcome you to the threshold of Duckdom! And, at risk of sounding negative, with straight run you risk having all drakes or too many drakes.

Nice selection of breeds, by the way.

 

[bramblefir]

First, let me welcome you to the threshold of Duckdom! And, at risk of sounding negative, with straight run you risk having all drakes or too many drakes.

Nice selection of breeds, by the way.

Thanks!

I typically have terrible luck with straight run, like 75/25 cockerel to pullets. One of my major concerns is that I'll end up with 14 drakes and 2 ducks. While I'm sure I could butcher the extra drakes (I butcher my own chickens) I'd like to actually have some ducks.

What is the best ratio of ducks to drakes? Is it about 6 ducks per drake?

 

[Amiga]

Thanks!

I typically have terrible luck with straight run, like 75/25 cockerel to pullets. One of my major concerns is that I'll end up with 14 drakes and 2 ducks. While I'm sure I could butcher the extra drakes (I butcher my own chickens) I'd like to actually have some ducks.

What is the best ratio of ducks to drakes? Is it about 6 ducks per drake?

Yes, that's the general guideline. And if you were going to have drakes, I would want the smaller breeds as drakes - your breeds are not drastically different in size, though some of the Swedish drakes - from photo's I have seen - can be good sized. And at the same time, there are folks who have larger drakes and it seems to not be a problem for the smaller ducks. I am rather cautious.

 

[bramblefir]

Yes, that's the general guideline. And if you were going to have drakes, I would want the smaller breeds as drakes - your breeds are not drastically different in size, though some of the Swedish drakes - from photo's I have seen - can be good sized. And at the same time, there are folks who have larger drakes and it seems to not be a problem for the smaller ducks. I am rather cautious.

I was thinking that if I got sexed ducklings from Metzer I would get one Cayuga drake, one Welsh Harlequin drake, and 12 ducks.

In regards to laying age, would it be better for them to reach POL in winter or spring?