Molting question

[tia]

Do males stop mating while they are molting???

 

[duckyfromoz]

Well not mine anyway... They are out in the pool now as I changed the water...and no doubt doing what comes naturally to a drake. I do notice that is is less often-as the hormone levels have decreased..but yes they are still at it. My girls have finished molting and are laying again- but the boys are still in eclipse plumage and dropping feathers everywhere at the moment.

 

[tia]

I'm only getting two eggs a day with the four hens I have with my drake. I want some eggs from my buff female, but she is molting. : ) I am getting so few eggs and I am going to start incubating them on Monday I hate to open any up to see if they are fertilized. Then my drake started molting too... I'm like hoping the eggs that I have collected are fertilized.

 

[duckyfromoz]

It is a shame to have to open them - unless you have some cooking planned anyway so they arent completely wasted.... But it will only be a few days in the incubator for you to know for sure anyway. I had a few weeks break from incubating- but have a dozen eggs in now myself. Candled at 4 days last night and all have started. I thought I might have a few infertile..but it looks like my boys have still got what it takes.

 

[tia]

I only get to do once a year in the classroom. I wish I knew someone that wanted some ducks I would do it more. It is so much fun. I was going to try chickens this year too, but the person who wants them only wants golden comets and I can't find any eggs here in Alaska.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Only once a year??

I suppose there isnt much demand for domestic ducks in Alaska- most people wouldnt even think about getting ducks considering the climate.

 

[tia]

Only three or four people have them where I live. They do have them other places in Alaska.