Ordered Ducks, received warming chicks??

[drumstick diva]

Can't wait to hear an update. I think at 8 weeks old the black chicks could be sexed on this thread.

BTW I hope the ducklings that were ordered arrived safe & sound.

 

[Faustina14]

Thank you very much! They all arrived safe and sound and are happily eating, drinking, sleeping, and pooping. It’s been a good day.

 

[WVduckchick]

I'd like some photo evidence of the ducks.

 

[BubbaLikesIt]

Being very new to this, I am going to ask a stupid question...Are they laying chickens or broilers that get sent? If they are laying breeds, can the roosters still be eaten? I’m not planning to eat them, but I’d like to rehome them somewhere if I can.

That's a fair question. If you have some cockerels there, go get some high protein feed. You can eat those birds around 26 to 36 weeks. A very good option.

 

[BubbaLikesIt]

Typically, they do send cockerels as warmer birds. BUT, if those three black chicks are sexlinks, those are pullets. They'll lay eggs like a machine with a moderate food intake. Great bird. The only birds we've had that have "eyeliner" markings are Welsummer and the ones with eyeliner are pullets. That doesn't look to be a Welsummer and I don't know if that is true with other breeds. The little yellow chick could be anything at this point. Could be a Leghorn or even better, a Cornish/Rock cross. Those birds get up to 20 pounds and are very tasty. Don't count them out yet, you could have a few winners in there.

 

[BubbaLikesIt]

Yes roosters can be eaten. Taste like chicken too.

Damn right they do.

 

[Faustina14]

I am thinking the eyeliner one is possible a Brown Leghorn. She’s got the chipmunk stripes down her back and looks like the leghorn chick pictures I’ve found.

 

[Faustina14]

Here are all 7 birds I received yesterday. 5 mystery chicks and 2 ducklings.

 

[WVduckchick]

I am thinking the eyeliner one is possible a Brown Leghorn. She’s got the chipmunk stripes down her back and looks like the leghorn chick pictures I’ve found.

That patterning is typical of wild-type patterns from many breeds. I have OEGB's and seramas that even look like that!

Could they be bantams? Or are you pretty sure they are large fowl?

Here are all 7 birds I received yesterday. 5 mystery chicks and 2 ducklings.

DUCKIES!!
(sorry, love the chicks too)

 

[Faustina14]

I don’t know if they are bantams or not. I did get some 2 day old Speckled Sussex chicks today and they are smaller than all 5 birds I received in the mail on Wednesday. So I think the mystery bird are standards. The three black ones might be bantams because they do seem more petite than the other two. Here a picture of 4 of the 5 birds I took today. I guess they are 5 days old now.