Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[rachelsflock]

Can anyone give me the scoop on ducks? Do I have to brood them separately from chicks? What breeds other than pekin TSC tends to get? Super messy? Which breeds are better layers? Are certain breeds louder? I had DH talked into a pair of ducklings this morning but all they had were pekin and my understanding is that those are more of a meat duck?

So I keep ducks, I guess I'm qualified to answer. YES brood them separately unless your chicks like getting wet. They are so, so messy. I hate brooding them, but as adults they're great-more gentle on the lawn. If you want eggs, Khaki Campbells are the best. I love mine, and they're very quiet. We had Pekins and Welsh Harlequins for a while. I sold those because they are SO FREAKING LOUD I couldn't stand them. My rooster was quieter and better mannered. The females would go QUAAAAAAACK! QUACK-QUACK-QUACK-QUACK QUACK at five in the morning. The neighbors were fine with it. I couldn't stand them. They didn't like me either. My khaki campbells, on the other hand, are respectful and cautious and a little high strung, but are so quiet by comparison-quieter than my chickens. I even got them a boyfriend this summer.

I'm also raising almost silent muscovies for meat. They're really good and sweet tempered. I'm keeping their wings clipped though, because they so fly.

 

[rachelsflock]

Pekins do lay, by the way, just like, 180 jumbo eggs instead of every single day like khakis.

 

[gladahmae]

I'm more interested in eggs....so KCs would be of more interest to me. Hmmmmmm. Maybe these will be a late-April purchase so I have less brooder issues and can potentially just brood them outside

 

[snowflake]

Looking out the back windows of my family room and not seeing the chicken coop is a rather new sensation. I gave my 8x14 coop to some folks and yesterday they came with a trailer, loaded it up, and hauled it away intact. Considering that is insulated, wired, has lights, a thermostatically controlled fan, droppings boards, a six place rollout nest box, built in feed box, an 8x8 roost area, and a 6x8 work/storage area that has two 6' rows of small cages they should be in pretty decent shape for raising birds.

Now I've only got two more small coops to get rid of and tear down the16x16 covered run. Then till and smooth the area once occupied by the birds, replant grass and all evidence of the flock will be gone. But the memories of them will remain so that is a good thing.

you are awesome!!!! you will miss the chickens, not the work, and you still have the wild pheasants to keep you entertained. your coop sounds, like a gem, I know the receivers will be so pleased, you are a talented builder. .......

hope you will stop in often, your wisdom and humor are still needed. love and prayers go with you,.

 

[BatesBandA]

I'm glad that it is going to work out for you.  I'm just sorry that I didn't have it clean for you.

Already cleaned and doing the run hopefully this weekend. Seriously you are a lifesaver!

 

[BatesBandA]

you are awesome!!!!    you will miss the chickens, not the work, and you still have the wild pheasants to keep you entertained. your coop sounds, like a gem, I know the receivers will be so pleased, you are a talented builder. .......

hope you will stop in often, your wisdom and humor are still needed. love and prayers go with you,.    

Sam can't leave. I'm a noob and need his wisdom!

 

[uchytil]

I'm more interested in eggs....so KCs would be of more interest to me. Hmmmmmm. Maybe these will be a late-April purchase so I have less brooder issues and can potentially just brood them outside

My Pekins lay every day as do my KC's. That said, I rest the ducks over the winter (no laying). They stop about the time the goats start rutting (December) and start again in March. All of my ducks have been laying again for about 3 weeks now, every duck, every day. As the age they will slow, and eventually stop.

A gal I know, and I, are going to split a new order of KC's through the mail. At first we were looking at Golden 300's. That breed is supposedly better layers than all the others. But we decided on KC's as we know them well. One thing - I always bought our ducklings at FF&H and ended up with more drakes than hens and had to move them. This time we're going with mail order and only getting hens (fingers crossed).

You should go on-line and check out the Golden 300's and what they say about them. Good reading. I can't remember for sure but I think it's called Metzger Farms? Anyway, a lot of people order chicks from this place and I've heard (on here) good results, chickens, or ducks.

 

[LittleLakePhil]

How do you get them to not lay in the winter? Mine laid eggs all winter long.
However not every day.

 

[chickflick]

It's not that you get them not to lay. You don't encourage them to lay by adding additional lighting or heat. Keep things natural. Lot of chicken breeds will lay during the winter.

 

[gladahmae]

Thanks for the information John! The whole duck idea started as a joke, and in a way remains a semi unserious idea. But a lot of my ideas start out like that. Getting chickens for example. And a greenhouse. And having dogs (which has led to fostering for 3 years.). Gardening....which the veggie garden doubled in size 2 years ago. I tend to go a bit over-board on things. Hahahahhaha. We are just going to end up with 18 chicks when I wanted more like 10 if anyone ever gets wyandottes in. If no one does, I suppose I'll have ton order chicks....which is expensive anymore with the shipping changes.

I do not have ROOM for another 18 birds next winter so I guess i will have to figure out who stays and who goes this fall again.