So we moved to a new place in December of last year, and I'd been planning for chickens at some point. Finally figured out what we were gonna do with the coop, and made some progress on it. Since we were gonna easily have everything ready in time, the hubs gave me the go-ahead to get chicks.
Of course it's the pandemic, so we couldn't find them ANYWHERE. The folks at TSC told me people panicked and bought a bunch of chicks, likely not realizing that it takes them 6 months or more to lay eggs. I've heard this in a few other BY chicken groups as well.
Well, came home, and found a single online hatchery that would have what I wanted, as early as next month (vs august or September which is what I saw a lot of other places). So I made an order. Got to talking with the neighbor the next morning, and he mentioned they just got chicks as well, and he told us the store. So off we went, to see what they had.
Ultimately they didn't have any chickens we wanted. Just bantams and cornish crosses, so I decided to stick with my planned online order. They did however have a few baby ducks.
I had not intended to get ducks, for a couple of reasons. My aunt has kept them and complained of how messy they were. Also I prefer 'wild type' ducks. If I could find buffleheads, scaups, wood ducks, I would be ALL OVER THAT. I am not a big fan of generic farm ducks though.
This store had a bunch of Pekin ducklings, some all black ones that I think were runner ducks, and one rouen duckling.
I'm still not sure how it happened, but the husband and housemate were with me, and I ended up bringing home one of each. The rouen is 'mine' since it's the closest thing they had to a wild looking duck. I'm not sure if our plans at this point are eggs, pets, or food haha. I've got the brooder set up and have been watching it like a hawk to make sure the temps are ok. So far they seem to be doing quite well. They're active, eating, drinking, and pooping up a storm. They are a bit wary of us giant human things still, but I'm hoping that goes away over time. I've got duckling food and a niacin supplement.
I was a little worried, as the black one is the smallest, but they do not appear to be picking on each other, at least not in any damaging fashion.
My home office has now become super distracting with the ducklings. How I'm supposed to ignore these cuties and work, I don't know.
Of course it's the pandemic, so we couldn't find them ANYWHERE. The folks at TSC told me people panicked and bought a bunch of chicks, likely not realizing that it takes them 6 months or more to lay eggs. I've heard this in a few other BY chicken groups as well.
Well, came home, and found a single online hatchery that would have what I wanted, as early as next month (vs august or September which is what I saw a lot of other places). So I made an order. Got to talking with the neighbor the next morning, and he mentioned they just got chicks as well, and he told us the store. So off we went, to see what they had.
Ultimately they didn't have any chickens we wanted. Just bantams and cornish crosses, so I decided to stick with my planned online order. They did however have a few baby ducks.
I had not intended to get ducks, for a couple of reasons. My aunt has kept them and complained of how messy they were. Also I prefer 'wild type' ducks. If I could find buffleheads, scaups, wood ducks, I would be ALL OVER THAT. I am not a big fan of generic farm ducks though.
This store had a bunch of Pekin ducklings, some all black ones that I think were runner ducks, and one rouen duckling.
I'm still not sure how it happened, but the husband and housemate were with me, and I ended up bringing home one of each. The rouen is 'mine' since it's the closest thing they had to a wild looking duck. I'm not sure if our plans at this point are eggs, pets, or food haha. I've got the brooder set up and have been watching it like a hawk to make sure the temps are ok. So far they seem to be doing quite well. They're active, eating, drinking, and pooping up a storm. They are a bit wary of us giant human things still, but I'm hoping that goes away over time. I've got duckling food and a niacin supplement.
I was a little worried, as the black one is the smallest, but they do not appear to be picking on each other, at least not in any damaging fashion.
My home office has now become super distracting with the ducklings. How I'm supposed to ignore these cuties and work, I don't know.
