How many of you make money on ducklings?

[DUCKGIRL89]

When I first got ducks, I planed on hatching and selling ducklings, but is there really that many people looking for ducklings that its worth your while hatching and selling ducklings?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Where we live, I don't think so. We have heard there is a market for Muscovy drakes in the asian market for their meat, but and this is just me, but after I have watched them as ducklings and put some effort into taking care of them I have a hard time seeing them go for food. Please don't get me wrong I don't have a problem with anyone who wants to do this but for myself I can't.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

Quote:
I have mosly egg laying ducks, and people here are looking for egg layers, and pets. I do have meat ducks, but dont plan on eating alot. Maybe three or four a year. at the most. Its a good thing my rouens lay. Lol.

 

[ian4379]

you need to move where i am(aus), i have orders for ducklings! could have easily sold 20 to 30 adults as well over the last 2 months. crazy stuff, i think its part of the "raise or grow you own food" culture thats taking off here. lots of people in the mid twenties to early forties learning how our grandparents generation grew and ate food. i think it makes you respect where your food comes from a lot more.

 

[DB_Tex]

I suspect the money in ducklings is in the niche markets; raising something specific for a specific purpose a customer can't get anywhere else. Either producing muscovies or jumbo pekins for meat, or egg laying stock to be sold to people who want to raise eggs are good examples.

My duck stock is geared towards egg production because I believe there is an unmet demand for eggs in my area. I have a few mixed breed rescues, and next year I'll be rearing some meat specific birds.

 

[Wifezilla]

It is totally going to depend on the area. Also time of year. Early spring I can sell ducks like mad. Later in the year nobody is interested. I put more duck in the freezer than I sold this year. Last year I sold them all.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

I guess I will just need to wait till spring to see what the demand for ducklings is here.

 

[DB_Tex]

yeah, generally speaking people don't buy livestock in fall and feed them all winter. Buying livestock isn't even on the radar for most farmy people. People will probably start thinking about it again seriously in march, be prepared for it.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

what kinds of ducks do you all have?

 

[Rosebud 18]

DUCKGIRL89, I live in middle Tn and apparently there not a duck market around here. I can't even give my duck eggs away. I sell all my chicken eggs with no problem. I have posted noticeds on bullentin boards within a 20 mile radius and no takers. I have around 9 dz. or more eggs in my fridge right now. I'm going to boil them this week-end and feed them back to them for added protien. I have 10 runners, 2 welsh harlequins, a black and a blue swedish and a pekin. All are laying. I have 3 runner, 1 harlequin, 1 pekin and 1 black swedish drake.