Hookbills Anyone?

[Birch Run Farm]

I want to try some dusky hookbills so I will be looking for a pair or hatching eggs in the spring. Let me know if you are a breeder.

 

[greyfields]

I know someone on here from the Willamette got hookbills from Holderread last year. He/she may post, or here's the link:

http://www.holderreadfarm.com/

 

[Birch Run Farm]

I'd like to know if they liked the ducks they got from Holderreads. That may be the only source and I do know they have a great reputation.

 

[greyfields]

I've received Silver Appleyards, Emdens, Pilgrims and Tufted Romans from there. You'd have to find some very specialized breeders to find higher quality.

 

[Willowbrook]

I'm anxiously awaiting an order from Holderreads.

I have a pair of white Runner ducks and a pair of black Silky ducks coming.

I understand their reputation is hard to beat as well as their birds.

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Willowbrook,

I assume you are getting adult pairs?

Greyfields,

Was your order hatchlings or adult pairs?

Both of you: If these were adults did you order their top quality? How were they for egg production?

 

[greyfields]

I got all mine as goslings/ducklings, altough I'm not far from Corvalis. I hatch all my own, so I have no need to continue to buy waterfowl anymore.

I have no idea on numbers of eggs. I collect all the eggs from February through April and hatch them and sell them along as meat animals in the summer/autumn. I honestly don't keep records and I allow them (the geese) to crossbreed. The Appleyards, to me, are a superb eating duck so I'm not doing it for the eggs.

 

[Willowbrook]

Willowbrook,

I assume you are getting adult pairs?

Both of you: If these were adults did you order their top quality? How were they for egg production?

Yes, I am getting adult pairs. I didn't order "top quality," but the next level down. I did this because when I talked with Dave he told me that the pair of Runners that I was getting were from "top" stock parents and would possibly produce the blue mutation.
Having never had the Silky duck, I thought I'd start a little more modestly.

I already have Runners and they are excellent with egg laying. Personally, I can't say enough good things about the breed, but I don't have a lot to go on as I only have two Saxony ducks besides the Runners.​

 

[KanakaNui]

I ordered some Welsh Harlequin ducklings from them last year...They sent extras, and every single one lived and thrived. And I'm in Florida and USPS delivered my ducks to the feed store and not my place - didn't bother to read the label. All except one were very "typey" and beautiful birds (she must have been an extra).
They lay like crazy and I love my WH.

I've had limited experience with Holderread's but I'll give them an "A" in regards to WH's

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Thanks All, for your input. Once winter breaks here I'll phone and see what is available for hookbills.