I have a bunch of questions and figured I'd just ask them all in one place rather than starting multiple threads.
I started with 3 runner ducks in 2010. Added 2 more and a welsh harlequin in 2012. That Welsh Harlequin is hanging with my chickens now and I'd like to get more ducklings again.
I know I can order from Metzer again and do another small order and get what I want, but I'd really like a more upright and slender body than what we can get from a hatchery. I'm looking at Purely Poultry and Johnson's Waterfowl and also looking locally. Not doing so hot locally, but do know somebody a few miles from me that used to have runners and will check with her as well.
Questions...
I've hatched once with an incubator when I was teaching preschool. Considering ordering eggs and hatching my own.
1 - what incubator have you used and would suggest (not crazy expensive - not planning on hatching out 100 eggs a month)
2 - for those that sell hatching eggs- how do you advertise? How did you decide on a breed(s)
I like my runners and the WH. Do mixed breeds sell?
3 - for those that sell duck eggs for eating (fertile or not) - how did you go about advertising - 11 years ago I couldn't even give duck eggs away.
4 - for those hatching with an incubator, how often did you have to intervene in hatching and how often did you need to cull ducklings?
5 - for those selling ducklings - what do you do with ones that don't sell? I don't want tons of ducks running around as they will be confined to a covered pen (too many predators in the last few years)
6 - for those that order eggs that are shipped to hatch - do you have a favorite place to order? how are the hatch rates?
I currently have 11 chickens (all different breeds or colors if same breed) and I'd really like to keep different colors of runners. A fawn and white and then a few other colors and I'll likely also include a welsh harlequin. My husband would not be trilled with the suggestion of 2 duck pens for 2 breeding flocks. I know there is the German site for duck genetics, but I find it confusing without a decent background in duck genetics.
7 - Can anybody point me to some online resources for indian runner duck genetics - so if I go with mostly runners, I would have an idea of what color male vs female's I'd like to know what they'd hatch out?
What else am I forgetting to ask?
I'm basically looking at maybe ordering some quality birds and then keeping a male and selling either eating eggs, hatching eggs or maybe incubating and selling some ducklings.
Thanks all
I started with 3 runner ducks in 2010. Added 2 more and a welsh harlequin in 2012. That Welsh Harlequin is hanging with my chickens now and I'd like to get more ducklings again.
I know I can order from Metzer again and do another small order and get what I want, but I'd really like a more upright and slender body than what we can get from a hatchery. I'm looking at Purely Poultry and Johnson's Waterfowl and also looking locally. Not doing so hot locally, but do know somebody a few miles from me that used to have runners and will check with her as well.
Questions...
I've hatched once with an incubator when I was teaching preschool. Considering ordering eggs and hatching my own.
1 - what incubator have you used and would suggest (not crazy expensive - not planning on hatching out 100 eggs a month)
2 - for those that sell hatching eggs- how do you advertise? How did you decide on a breed(s)
I like my runners and the WH. Do mixed breeds sell?
3 - for those that sell duck eggs for eating (fertile or not) - how did you go about advertising - 11 years ago I couldn't even give duck eggs away.
4 - for those hatching with an incubator, how often did you have to intervene in hatching and how often did you need to cull ducklings?
5 - for those selling ducklings - what do you do with ones that don't sell? I don't want tons of ducks running around as they will be confined to a covered pen (too many predators in the last few years)
6 - for those that order eggs that are shipped to hatch - do you have a favorite place to order? how are the hatch rates?
I currently have 11 chickens (all different breeds or colors if same breed) and I'd really like to keep different colors of runners. A fawn and white and then a few other colors and I'll likely also include a welsh harlequin. My husband would not be trilled with the suggestion of 2 duck pens for 2 breeding flocks. I know there is the German site for duck genetics, but I find it confusing without a decent background in duck genetics.
7 - Can anybody point me to some online resources for indian runner duck genetics - so if I go with mostly runners, I would have an idea of what color male vs female's I'd like to know what they'd hatch out?
What else am I forgetting to ask?
I'm basically looking at maybe ordering some quality birds and then keeping a male and selling either eating eggs, hatching eggs or maybe incubating and selling some ducklings.
Thanks all