**May need duckling in Oregon ASAP(Pics added)**

[Sweetfolly]

Quote:

They're precious!

 

[CityChicker]

So cute, chickboss! I got your PM as well. I am glad to hear that Holderreads are getting a few more of the Overbergs out there. I got my group from them last Fall after waiting anxiously for months and months for them to be ready. I have fallen in love with the breed. They are gorgeous and extremely friendly. We are raising several Overberg ducklings right now and they are the friendliest ducklings we have raised in a long time. In our first year breeding them, we have had lots of eggs, but fertility has not been great (we only have one adult drake though on several hens and it has been a weird breeding season in general, not just with the Overbergs).

The breed was recreated by Dave in miniature form for the most part from selective breeding of Silver Headed Australian Spotteds and Silver Bantams (Mini Appleyards). They are genetically harlequin phase duskies (aka "Silver") with double blue dilution, basically they are Apricot Silver. So far, mine have bred 100% true (which they should). Every duckling hatched looks exactly the same. I had hoped to be able to offer some for sell this year, but I think I need another year of breeding them to increase their numbers before I begin to sell them. I have had weekly hatches going on the Overbergs now for several weeks and still have 4 more weeks worth of eggs on, so I am hoping we still hatch out a few dozen more. I had hoped to have some extras to outcross to Silver bantams to gain some more genetic diversity, but this has been my worst year ever with our Silver bantams (this crazy weather!). Congrats on your new additions!

 

[Bleenie]

Those Overburgs are SO cute!!

 

[L0rraine]

It's a darn good I thing I can't just "run over" to Holderreads.

It's an overnight stay for me whenever I go and I usually have pre-reserved the ducks I'm after (though did come home with two extra little bantam ducks one trip).

So how many 'babies' did you end up with? What fun it will be to watch them all grow.

 

[chickboss]

They are definantly sweeties! Thanks for the info. I apreciate it. I could tell they were special because of the way he sounded when he said he put some in the box. I feel pretty lucky to have them. I can't wait to see how they mature. So far, they are much more laid back when being handled than the Australian Spotteds or the Silver Appleyards, and I just love their funny big eyes. LOL. I don't know where you're at, but the weather has been wierd here to this year. I would love to stay in contact with you in the future in terms of breeding questions, ect. I am hoping that there will be at least a pair for breeding out of the four. If not, I may have to do some hunting for mates because I am really taken with them...

Thanks Bleenie!

LOrraine~ I ended up with 17 bantams all together, and 7 runners. 24. LOL, I don't know, being close enough to run to Holderreads to pick up ducklings could get dangerous quick!

And our little one has made it! It was quite the ordeal, I had to help which was nerve racking because I've only done one other hatch in a homemade bator that only produced one chick that didn't need any help. This was our first time with ducks, and she made me work for it.

Her name is Pigeon, and she is getting ready to go to a brooder. When she finishes gaining strength, she can meet her adoptive siblings.

 

[Sweetfolly]

Quote:

So, that makes 25?

I've been toying with buying some Call eggs yet this year, but they're supposed to be so finicky (great job, by the way - in my opinion, hatching any Calls at all from shipped eggs is a success!

)...but my White Call drake really wants some friends other than my Mallards...

Your pictures are re-igniting the Bantam Bug! They're so little, I betcha the family wouldn't notice if I hatched a few and slipped them in the brooder...

 

[chickboss]

Quote:

So, that makes 25?

I've been toying with buying some Call eggs yet this year, but they're supposed to be so finicky (great job, by the way - in my opinion, hatching any Calls at all from shipped eggs is a success!

)...but my White Call drake really wants some friends other than my Mallards...

Your pictures are re-igniting the Bantam Bug! They're so little, I betcha the family wouldn't notice if I hatched a few and slipped them in the brooder...

LOL, yeah, 25. I think I've really lost my mind!

That, with my last order of Kahkis and Pekin means I have 41 in the house. Luckily, the older one's will be moving out next week...

Thanks, I'm glad she appears to be okay. I spent one totally sleepless night wetting her membrane (got a nap at 5 a.m.) and was up every two hours last night re-wetting a warm wash cloth that was wrapped around her. Reminds me of the newborn days!

Totally worth it!

Of corse they won't notice... they are so teeny tiny! They can hide under the bigger ones until they can be stashed outside.

I didn't even want bantams, this all started becasue my DD wanted a Call. LOL, if you include the incubator we got to hatch them, that is one expensive little duckie in there. I now officially love them! And am glad we started this whole thing. Am already dreaming of hatching our own little bantam babies.....Sigh, It never ends....