Just starting in 2022

[ruthhope]

rjmyooper, I prefer you to over think before you start duck keeping than do it spontaneously like many do at this time of year. Too many of the little fluffies sold around easter are destined to unhappy, short lives as the folks that buy them don't know about keeping ducks healthy and happy and don't have appropriate facilities for them. My own duck keeping started when my son brought home 3 ducklings in a cardboard box from Tractor Supply, with a bag of crumble and nothing else, one March. I had three days of huge stress. I had an indoor outdoor thermometer and the ambient temperature was way to low. He had to have his heating on high, and a fan heater, in his smallest bedroom, to get the temperatures in the brooder up to nearing 90F. I was reading 24/7 about duck keeping and ordered heat lamp bulbs on line as TSC locally only had the lamp but no bulbs. The bulbs arrived after 3 days and the little one's lives were then more secure. My son still says that I am too involved with his ducks -- but when he started out like he did, it is no wonder I am involved.

I now have rescued ducks and one of those was an easter duckling that was attacked by a raccoon. its little ducky friend died and although he survived, he has a deformed bill and needs special care to ensure he gets enough to eat.

I wish you and your future ducks long and happy lives. If your ducks are happy they will give you great delight. I sit on my back steps with mine every morning just after dawn. I drink my coffee and they stand around preening and communing with me and each other. What a lovely way to start the day!

 

[rjmyooper]

Thank you to all the well wishers and welcoming. I'm now about $400 into this, which is on the low end of the budget (I'm starting out on a shoestring, but I already have the fencing). Not bad, but I'm not done.
The Ducklings won't be here until mid May, which is good because we will be at freezing temps until next weekend (4-21-2022) and then who knows if that will be Spring or not. I am prepared to have the Ducklings in the basement with a "warming cave", heat lamp, fenced area and flooring. Also, these are local Ducks, so I have a resource for emergencies in the breeder. My Vet doesn't work with Birds, but there is one right up the road from me (closer than my Vet) that can and will work on poultry.
The backyard is an excellent place for foraging, as it is formerly a haybale garden. There are only remnants of the old bales at this point. The fence attaches directly to the garage Man door, which is a storage area where they will live, with another man door going into the actual garage. They won't have access to get into any trouble with the equipment I keep in there.
BYC has been an amazing resource for me. I've learned so much by just reading old threads and all the emergency medical posts.
Thank you ALL for all the help.

 

[rjmyooper]

Well, my breeder has informed me that the May hatch date is highly unlikely. I put $40 down on the 5 WH Ducks. I have a backup order in with McMurry for Silver Appleyard's, but that isn't until June 6th. I'm pretty bummed out.
I want some Ducks sooner.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I assume you've tried other hatcheries. Have you checked on your state thread if anyone might know of a breeder?

 

[rjmyooper]

I assume you've tried other hatcheries. Have you checked on your state thread if anyone might know of a breeder?

Yes. I went to the local feed mill and I can get a limited selection of straight run ducks (Mallards, Rouens, Pekins and Khaki C). I wonder if I can get my $40 back from the original breeder since she can't live up to her end of the deal, and just order through the feed store. She had Welsh Harlequin, but I wouldn't have a problem switching to Khaki Campbell's.
I also have a backup order for Silver Appleyards, which I have time to cancel, if I want to.

 

[Miss Lydia]

you need to ask her she should def give you your money back
Have you been here https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/michigan-thread-all-are-welcome.697050/
you never know someone may know of a breeder that is close by too. @rjmyooper won't hurt to ask.

 

[rjmyooper]

Okay. Things are starting to come together. I am cancelling the order through the local breeder and getting ducks elsewhere. There are no hard feelings, and I will still use them next year, unless things change on the duck farm. Instead of 5 Welshies, I will be getting a straight run of 10 Khaki Campbell's, which will be cheaper.
Also, TSC order has been straightened out. That took almost a month and I had to get the Corporate Office involved. Now I need to get more 1/2" hardware cloth. So far ebay seems to be the cheapest I can find.
The coop and run need to be finished, which will start now that we're having better weather.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's good you got it straightened out. Now you'll have plenty to do before they arrive and it will go by fast. When will your ducklings arrive?

 

[rjmyooper]

That's good you got it straightened out. Now you'll have plenty to do before they arrive and it will go by fast. When will your ducklings arrive?

June 1st. I also cancelled the backup order of Silver Appleyards. I want to get more experience before I do multiple breeds.
I'm hoping I'll be able to get 4 hens and 1 drake out of a strait run of 10. Worst case scenario I will get 3 hens, anyway, hopefully.
Thank you so much for your help @Miss Lydia

 

[Miss Lydia]

Be nice out of 10 to get at least 4 females.