My colourful last hatch.

[duckyfromoz]

After 18 months of trying to get myself a good stater flock of Harlequin and Cinnamon Runners- I am finally about to turn off the incubator for a while. In that whole time so far it has only been turned off for 3 weeks- so I have had babies in brooders for the whole time. There were a few times when I had no duck eggs- so I tried some quail and chickens just for fun. Over the last 5 weeks I have hatched out 41 ducklings- and the last two eggs are in the incubator- pipped and once they hatch- the incubator will be turned off given a good clean- and then I will try and find somewhere in the cupboard.

These last ones are actually not from my ducks- I wanted my last hatch to be something different- and I have had a very nice surprise with the colours. A few blacks- some dark brown- one that looks like it will be a blue pied. Im not too sure how I will cope with the withdrawals from having the incubator turned off - but I am also looking forward to the break. The plan is to leave it off for a few months.. But with my ducks just coming back into lay after molting - I might put a few in soon..but just not the ten eggs each week I have been lately.

I love my harlequins...but having these little guys is a huge novelty and a great way to finish off 18 months of incubating

 

[sandcat]

Oh they are gorgeous, give them lots of cuddles from me

 

[Goat_Walker]

*sigh* I miss my incubating days

 

[Miss Lydia]

very pretty.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Goat_Walker I am already missing the early candling- too see the tiny veins start to appear. I can imagine how you feel- but you also have a great future to look forward to an have made a brave decision. Enabling a little life to form..watching it hatch and then caring for it is a wonderful experience- Im sure you will go back to it some time when you can.

I have already decided to keep one of these little guys to grow out- the others I have for three weeks- until the poultry club I am a member of has its Poultry auction. They were hatched just for the novelty of a different colour and for financing feed and bedding for the flock over winter.

At least I have them until then... They will be getting lots of cuddles.

 

[FenDruadin]

Ooooo, pretty!! My ducks haven't been laying for TWO MONTHS and I am seriously in withdrawal. I can't WAIT to start incubating baby magpies, which is all I'm going to have once I pare down my flock. But they should be pretty--blacks, blues, and maybe an occasional white. I can't wait!

 

[duckyfromoz]

I would love to have some magpies. I have only seen them once here in Australia- and they were even magpie runners. It was a project a fellow was working on - so he wasnt quite there yet- the colour was good- but a few more generations were needed to ensure they breed true.

Last two are out. They are both dark little ones as well. One has two different sized eye lids- and at first i thought it only had one eye- but its ok- I have had one before like that and by the time it was grown the difference in eye size wasnt so noticeable.


So with them now out of the eggs- I am on a countdown - preparing myself for turning off the incubator in about 2 hours when they are fluffed up and can go in with the 8 others.


Of course - I could always clean it out, and pop those eggs sitting on the kitchen bench back into it...

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

Awwwwww!!! They are gorgeous, congrats!

I can't wait to incubate!

 

[Funniducki1]

Ahh they are precious!

And beautiful. I want some! They would help get my mind off of snow.

Only getting one egg a day right now. Haven't incubated any in about a year...I so miss it! The hatch and the peeping and the squishy fluffs!

-duckyfromoz,
are you able to find homes quickly for all your ducklings? I would usually post a Craigslist ad which gave me 50/50 results. And can I ask what is normally the going price for them?

I am *considering* hatching some out this spring, selling them within 3 weeks, if I can find people...It would be a treat to have a few for a while and hopefully break even, money wise. Though I know I shouldn't because of work and school...

hehe
Are these pure colors, or mixed?
Sorry for so many questions.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Funniducki1 - things here in Australia are so very different. We dont have huge hatcheries that will ship ducklings across the country by mail. I have been contacted by people from 6 states here in Australia wanting to buy my ducks- as they may not have someone close to them selling them. But generally I prefer to sell them locally.

Over the last 10 months I have hatched about 200 ducklings- and sold 160 of them. The rest are still here- currently being grown out so I can chose my show ducks and some more breeders for next spring. My ducks have sold for up to $70 at auction - but most of them are sold at around 2-3 weeks old for $20 each. By that age they have cost me about $5 each- for electricity feed and bedding and after that the costs start to increase more rapidly as they eat more. So your idea to sell them within three weeks is a good idea. I am currently considering hatching to order only. If someone wants 5 or more- unsexed ducklings and will pay a deposit- I will start the incubator back up - but dont plan to keep hatching so I have them here available if people contact me.

There has been a few times I have been worried about having so many here for sale- then I will be contacted by someone wanting a larger number and before I know it - I am telling people who contact me that I have none for sale.

I do advertise on a few websites- and twice a year bred some especially for the poultry club auction.

Some of these ones may be pure- I will have to wait and see- but they do come form a very mixed flock and I love the mix of colours. The last little one to hatch is also a pied pattern and so cute!!