- Jul 18, 2011
- 5
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Howdy, from Fayetteville, Texas.
Honestly, I'm no Quack Master, as I just started raising fowl this year for the first time starting Feb 28th.
It has been quite fun. I ordered a strait run of Fawn Runner Ducks. I was told they will outlay a good egg laying chicken, so I based my purchase as follows...
My goal was to end up with 6 to eight egg laying ducks after one year. Minimum order was 15 to an order. They sent 16...
I figured half might be male, leaving me 8 hens. Through predation, disease or otherwise I might lose 20% before I figure out how to stop it from happening again, thus 6 hens. EVERYBODY ELSE MAKES IT TO THE BBQ GRILL.
So far it is working out as planned. The ducks are a pure joy and funny as heck to watch. We have a pond but I am thinking about keep it a secret from them for now, until they are "street smart" enough. I ate two drakes, then separated the remaining 3 (there was only 5 afterall) to a remote pen. The remote pen became a buffet table for the local owls and they ate two the first night while under a big vapor light. GRRRRRR.
I have moved them back together and only lost one additional bird ( a hen) to the owl. Now I need to implement a deterant system for owls and hawks.
By the way!!! I have seen a lot of blah blah about "ewww, duck eggs are nasty". I say BULL!! You are what you eat, and depending on what your birds are eating is what the eggs will taste like. Everyone I have heard who does not like the flavor of their duck eggs, has their ducks on a pond. Mine are not, and mine are as good if not better than store bought chicken eggs.
Cheers,
Many Thunders
Honestly, I'm no Quack Master, as I just started raising fowl this year for the first time starting Feb 28th.
It has been quite fun. I ordered a strait run of Fawn Runner Ducks. I was told they will outlay a good egg laying chicken, so I based my purchase as follows...
My goal was to end up with 6 to eight egg laying ducks after one year. Minimum order was 15 to an order. They sent 16...
So far it is working out as planned. The ducks are a pure joy and funny as heck to watch. We have a pond but I am thinking about keep it a secret from them for now, until they are "street smart" enough. I ate two drakes, then separated the remaining 3 (there was only 5 afterall) to a remote pen. The remote pen became a buffet table for the local owls and they ate two the first night while under a big vapor light. GRRRRRR.
I have moved them back together and only lost one additional bird ( a hen) to the owl. Now I need to implement a deterant system for owls and hawks.
By the way!!! I have seen a lot of blah blah about "ewww, duck eggs are nasty". I say BULL!! You are what you eat, and depending on what your birds are eating is what the eggs will taste like. Everyone I have heard who does not like the flavor of their duck eggs, has their ducks on a pond. Mine are not, and mine are as good if not better than store bought chicken eggs.
Cheers,
Many Thunders
