.Metzer Farms

[chasing ducks]

I got my duckies intoday, at least the first set of layers.

I ordered from efowl but from the zip I traced the babies back to Metzer Farms in California. I ordered 15 ducks and I got 16

I ordered all female ducks, paid the extra for the sexing and all that, but noticed that all but 4 had bands on their legs in different colors. From what I understand the bands were supposed to make it so they knew which were female. 4 didn't have bands and were the "assorted"ones I bought. They're likely all pekins and I paid like I said for ALL the ducks to be sexed as female. Anyone else get any from Metzer Farms? I am just wondering if I may have accidentally ended up with males. Any input would be helpful, thanks!

 

[TK Poultry]

The different colors might be for females of different breeds and males of each breed will have a different color and your "packing peanuts" are probably male

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

I ordered from them last year and got exactly what I ordered/expected. The goslings all did great! I like Metzer Farms thought their birds and service were excellent.

 

[momma's chickens]

I had excellent service from them. My ducks were all sexed right and the different colors have to do with the breed and sex. My Welsh Harlequins and Runners had different colored bands on them, banded for sex and breed.

 

[WadeMD]

Metzer sent a 1 page thing in with mine that showed the different bands/colors/combinations of legs to indicate what breed and what sex they were. Did you not get that stuffed into the bottom or taped onto the top of the box?

 

[chasing ducks]

Nope, no paper other than care instructions from efowl. And only 1 was a packing peanut, I ordered all the others. I wanted some assorted ones to see how different breeds acted, all supposed to be female though.

 

[10ducks]

Here's a link to which bands are used for which birds at Metzer's. I got 25 ducklings and a couple of goslings from them last week. I got Golden 300s, Welsh Harlequins, chocolate and blue Runners, Blue and Black Swedish, and a pair of Buff goslings. Beautiful, healthy birds, no shipping losses, and all are doing really well and growing like weeds.

http://metzerfarms.com/SexingBirds.cfm?CustID=66461

 

[HiddenHill Heretic]

Just picked up 56 ducklings and a gosling from John at Metzer today. The banding is, as said, to distinguish breeds. Wonderful people and infinitely knowledgable waterfowl family.

 

[Wifezilla]

I have 2 happy, healthy Metzer Welsh Harlequins. I went in with someone on a small order last Spring. Paid extra for the sexing. Got exactly what I ordered.

 

[JStark]

Like Wifezilla, I bought welshies last year (three hens) and got what I wanted. However, it's easier for me - we drove down, had Easter on Monterey Bay, and picked up our birds in person.