I need hatchery help

[jujubean99]

I was perusing the web looking for a hatchery that ships mandarin duck eggs but I couldn't find one? does anyone know of any hatcheries that will ship them? Also, I know that eggbid and ebay but I would personally rather order them from a hatchery. If there are no hatcheries that do this, does anyone have any experience with ebay egg ordering, and if so, how does it work out? Do the eggs arrive in good condition?

 

[1lpoock]

Hatcheries don't sell any hatching eggs for them, only started pairs, and they are way overpriced coming from a hatchery. Don't buy mandarin eggs, period. They don't ship well at all and rarely hatch good, if at all, after shipment. Its a big waste of money. You'll end up buying $100 worth of eggs, when you could just get two started pairs from a breeder for about that price. You won't have to worry about incubating eggs and you know you will be getting pairs of mandarins. Just my thoughts, I've heard of too many bad experiences with people buying hatching eggs for ornamental breeds.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

I agree. I was going to try to buy some ornamental eggs and everyone here warned me. I'll be looking for some pairs in the fall instead.

Laurie

 

[jujubean99]

thanks for the advice! So do you know what the best hatchery to get them from is? Also, how is their fertitily? Do they need special conditions to breed or are they easy to breed and don't need anything from me to 'help them along'?

 

[1lpoock]

Don't get them from a hatchery, they are too overpriced. Get them from a breeder, I can give you some breeders if you can't find any on the web or around where you live. They really just need food, shelter, fresh water, and water to swim in. They have to be in an aviary or enclosed pen since they can fly. They will also need nest boxes, the same style as a wood duck nesting box for laying eggs in. If you get a started pair this year, they won't start laying until next spring.

 

[jujubean99]

thanks, I would really appreciate if you could list some good places that raise them, I am not necessarily a fan of large hatcheries, I don't think the birds are treated very well. If you know of any breeders in the washington area or someone close to here who would ship them (I don't want them shipped long distance, too stressful for them) that would be great. I can provide them with a pond and nest boxes, safe enclosures etc. I would have to clip their wings seeing as how I live in the city though (I WILL NOT pinion them, too sad). Thanks again for all the help!