June Hatch A Long

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

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8/10 hatched! Good hatch rate!! I now have eight babies running around the brooder!

Fantastic !!! Nice hatch!

 

[jolenesdad]

Oh that is adorable!!! I really love your ducklings!!! Can I ask, will you keep all of these adults in a pen? Free range?

I’ve never had ducks. I set out to get large ducks cause I thought they may be able to not be picked off by hawks. Plus, I can’t have a rooster here and who knows how long the property will take to sell. It could be a couple of years. Hopefully not but still. Anyway, a breeding trio or quad of ducks is way quieter than chickens, so it looks like I’ll be getting into duck breeding before chickens. I started a chicken club in my area (part of my HoA variance) and I want to become an expert Hatcher for the club and mentoring, so I’d like my own supply of fertile eggs to do things with. It seemed pretty easy to sell ducklings Right away.

Anyway, I’d like to keep at least 6, 5 girls and a boy so that’s why I kept 11. I have 3 girls for sure, and one boy for sure already. (Pair of Welsh Harlequin and two golden comets). My Cayuga is realllllly sweet to me so we will see. I may have space for more than 1 boy if they all get along. I definitely have space to keep any of these and find perfect homes once I get attached. I like the variety like I have with chickens im hoping to grow out a bunch of hens and ultimately decide the breed or breeds I really want to work with down the road.

I like to have enough space they don’t need to get out, but I range them freely on a field fenced 3/4 acre field and 1/2 acre field out of the barn they’re in during most days unless there have been heavy predator sightings or really bad weather. I am in a really warm spot so all I do is build out old horse stalls with hardware cloth and no one needs actual walls at night. Coop and run in one. I’ve got a horse wash stall with a drain in the middle I’m thinking of putting them in so they could have water in the enclosure. That would give me space for 10-15 ducks.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I’ve never had ducks. I set out to get large ducks cause I thought they may be able to not be picked off by hawks. Plus, I can’t have a rooster here and who knows how long the property will take to sell. It could be a couple of years. Hopefully not but still. Anyway, a breeding trio or quad of ducks is way quieter than chickens, so it looks like I’ll be getting into duck breeding before chickens. I started a chicken club in my area (part of my HoA variance) and I want to become an expert Hatcher for the club and mentoring, so I’d like my own supply of fertile eggs to do things with. It seemed pretty easy to sell ducklings Right away.

Anyway, I’d like to keep at least 6, 5 girls and a boy so that’s why I kept 11. I have 3 girls for sure, and one boy for sure already. (Pair of Welsh Harlequin and two golden comets). My Cayuga is realllllly sweet to me so we will see. I may have space for more than 1 boy if they all get along. I definitely have space to keep any of these and find perfect homes once I get attached. I like the variety like I have with chickens im hoping to grow out a bunch of hens and ultimately decide the breed or breeds I really want to work with down the road.

I like to have enough space they don’t need to get out, but I range them freely on a field fenced 3/4 acre field and 1/2 acre field out of the barn they’re in during most days unless there have been heavy predator sightings or really bad weather. I am in a really warm spot so all I do is build out old horse stalls with hardware cloth and no one needs actual walls at night. Coop and run in one. I’ve got a horse wash stall with a drain in the middle I’m thinking of putting them in so they could have water in the enclosure. That would give me space for 10-15 ducks.

They will enjoy all that space! Mine are mostly in a secure run/coop. I rehomed all boys as I was afraid that they hurt the chickens in the same coop/run trying to Kaye with them. I make them go in the coop at night because it’s more secure, and because it encourages them to use the nest box to lay. When they go out, they have to stay on the pond or they get eaten. I’ve had a mallard taken by a red tailed hawk and a WH by a bobcat. Also a chicken by a coyote and guinea by a bobcat... it must be great to live in your area with low predation!

 

[LuckyCluckyCA]

Day 22 no hatching yet- I’m very sad

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Day 22 no hatching yet- I’m very sad

I’m really sorry to hear that!!! It’s so very disappointing when your hatch goes poorly!

 

[LuckyCluckyCA]

I HAVE A PIP! That crack was a pip and not a you messed up lady and cracked an egg after all. The batch (I hope I get more than one) is going to be named after models of antique chris craft boats. This one is either Lancer or Capri. I had a FB vote. Off the top of my head there were Lancer, Connie (Constellation) Capri Calypso, Roamer, Woody, Cruiser, Runabout Skiff, Commander and a few others to vote on.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I HAVE A PIP! That crack was a pip and not a you messed up lady and cracked an egg after all. The batch (I hope I get more than one) is going to be named after models of antique chris craft boats. This one is either Lancer or Capri. I had a FB vote. Off the top of my head there were Lancer, Connie (Constellation) Capri Calypso, Roamer, Woody, Cruiser, Runabout Skiff, Commander and a few others to vote on.

Very exciting!!! I’m pulling for your chicks to hatch!!!

 

[jolenesdad]

I HAVE A PIP! That crack was a pip and not a you messed up lady and cracked an egg after all. The batch (I hope I get more than one) is going to be named after models of antique chris craft boats. This one is either Lancer or Capri. I had a FB vote. Off the top of my head there were Lancer, Connie (Constellation) Capri Calypso, Roamer, Woody, Cruiser, Runabout Skiff, Commander and a few others to vote on.

Good luck!!!

 

[SueT]

Here is my broody today with her chicks hatched 6-12...
They will get bigger than her rapidly.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I HAVE A PIP! That crack was a pip and not a you messed up lady and cracked an egg after all. The batch (I hope I get more than one) is going to be named after models of antique chris craft boats. This one is either Lancer or Capri. I had a FB vote. Off the top of my head there were Lancer, Connie (Constellation) Capri Calypso, Roamer, Woody, Cruiser, Runabout Skiff, Commander and a few others to vote on.

So excited to hear that your hatch was just slightly delayed and you had a pip last night!! How are things going this morning?

Here is my broody today with 2 of her chicks hatched 6-12...
They will get bigger than her rapidly.
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They grow so fast!! Those little mohawks and the baby peeking out from between her legs are killing me! lol!