July Hatch-a-Long (including 4th of July hatch-a-long)

[Vantic]

I found the same to also be true when I placed my order with MM. So I also have ten ducklings headed my way when I just wanted three

I added Saxony to my order to fill it out.

Appleyards dress out best around 7-8 weeks. After 10 weeks of age you get their second molt which means no weight gain - wasted feed and also pin feathers. After 12 weeks or so weight gain continues but now pin feathers are present.

17 week average for laying. I got an average of 4 eggs a week.

That is just my experience. Sorry if you knew some of it already. YMMV

Thank you this is very helpful. I also ordered the book that @CindyinSD recommend.

I had ducks forever ago, time to remember.

 

[kelseyk]

One of my April hatch pullets is laying! Too early to be a Beilefelder, not dark enough to be a BCM, not white so not the Silver Appenzeller... so must be one of the Sapphire Gem/Lavender Orpington cross pullets I am planning on selling (the 3 black ones) or Frankie my supposed to be Sapphire Gem/Lavender Orpington cross that looks like a Sapphire Olive Egger instead (She hatched from a brown egg and I have no idea what color she will lay). Or a really early barnyard cross pullet.

 

[ShrekDawg]

1) the says otherwise
2) yes I am, my 80x100 garden needs ducks to tend it.

I butcher all my own animals (and my customers) and I know what six drakes will do to four hens. They will be processed. Plus I need to know if they are as good as the internet says they are.

I hope you don’t butcher your customers!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Duck... I ate it a long time ago and it was awesome. I’m talking when I was 15. Their eggs are amazing too! Good for over easy eggs.

I only have 1 duck left, my Muscovy. She’s never leaving this farm, I love her too much. She’s what I call a clean duck breed. Pekins are messy dirty things, but super friendly.

I was looking at a greenhouse today one of those high tunnels. I’m thinking about getting it.

I hear the eggs are very good for baking too!! Creamy and rich and better than chicken supposedly.

 

[kelseyk]

I seriously have 6 cockerels and 1 pullet from my CCL hatch! GAH! I have 2 eggs left but no internal pups or signs of movement in them. Looks like I get to do another CCL hatch.

 

[Vantic]

I hope you don’t butcher your customers!

Lol

 

[ShrekDawg]

Lol

I couldn’t resist!

 

[Vantic]

I hear the eggs are very good for baking too!! Creamy and rich and better than chicken supposedly.

I think they are better, goose eggs too.

 

[CindyinSD]

There’s 4 babies now!! So precious! mama has her wings full though... she’s already got one slight wanderer and the others latching onto her eye lids

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Ohmygoodness! So sweet!

 

[CindyinSD]

I butcher all my own animals (and my customers)

You butcher your customers?!?

(sorry-couldn't-resist)