ordering ducks, sexed or straight run?

[klf73]

I am ordering some cayuga and chocolate runners. I was going to order sexed bird, don't mind paying extra for what I need, but the problem is I don't know what I need

If they were chickens I would know what to order but I am new to ducks. I was thinking about 5 chocolate runners and 5 cayuga...so what do I want for gender? 2 drakes and 3 hens(not sure what girl ducks are called....)? any help is appreciated

 

[StevenW.]

I would do 1 drake for each breed.

Usually most people keep 1 drake for at least 6-10 ducks.

 

[klf73]

Quote:
awesome, thanks

 

[StevenW.]

I'm overrun in drakelets and Cockerals!

I'm hopeing my 3 Runner babies are a trio!

 

[klf73]

I'll cross my fingers for you too

I had some cayuga eggs in the bator on day 25, went to move them to the hatcher and they all quit(4)...

these were my first duck eggs(shipped too) so I was hoping they would hatch. Dh just gave me "the look" and just said why didn't you order ducklings?" so.....I ordered from Metzer because they have the chocolate runners I want and cayugas....he wants me to order a couple weeks out so he can finish the duck house/run....can't argue with a man that tells me to just get live ones

thanks for the help got 1 drake cayuga and 4 hens and 1 choc runner with 4 hens coming july 25th

eta- I still have some runner(not chocolate

) and cayuga eggs in the bator so may end up with more

 

[gryeyes]

Now that I have had some experience receiving shipped live chicks and goslings (from Ideal) I think I may just order from Metzer's if I want to increase my number of ducks, some day. Which I may do, as I have too many drakes. I'd go for the sexed ducklings.

 

[klf73]

yeah, I just got 4 straight run and 2 pullets fawn/white runners from Ideal....so I'd rather pay the extra for sexing, better than being stuck with so many extra boys....which I am so familiar with