Question about ordering ducklings...

[chicken_china_mom]

If I decide to go the route of ordering ducklings from a hatchery, is it better to order straight run, or all pullets, or all drakes? I am wanting runner ducks. What would my best choice? Currently I have one hen and one drake of mallard ducks, and while my drake is a nice guy, my hen is a little witch. Are runner hens witches too, or how should I order them? I just want some cute runners to have around the yard, and if they lay eggs, all the better. I may go the hatching route. Just trying to decide what my best bet would be. Thanks to anyone that helps me with this.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

The problem with ordering straight run is that you have the chance of getting mostly drakes. If you have a high drake to hen ratio, you can have overmating of your hens which can cause a problem. Also you can have alot of fighting between your drakes.

My first ducks I got straight run. I ended up with 3 drakes and 1 hen. So I ordered more hens from Ideal. I personally think thats the way to go.

Its a teeny tiny bit more expensive but I think its worth it. The good thing about Ideal is that you only have to spend $20 for an order. Alot of hatcheries you have to order 8 or 10 ducks or more.

Good luck!

Laurie

 

[ChickenToes]

It all depends on how many ducks you want. If you only want a few, order from Metzer Farms or Ideal, and order them sexed.

If you want to order 10, order from any hatchery you like. You can order them straight run and you'll end up with a nice ratio of ducks to drakes.

 

[Crayonsmom]

I got runners a few years ago from McMurray Hatchery (great hatchery). We got 12 ducks I think. 3 Males and 9 females. One poor girl died somehow.

But the rest all got to grow up. lol. Anyway, I agree I would get too many males. Just a one for every 3 females or something. Even then we had one poor girlie who got really beat up after awhile from overbreeding.

And just a tip: Runners don't really brood, if you want to breed them. Our never sat on their eggs, just laid them and walked away. So if you want to breed them in the future, I'd get an incubator.

Runners are really fun to watch though. lol. So funny, they all run around in a pack.

 

[chicken_china_mom]

I've only used Ideal once, and I had to order my chicks straight run because that was the only option. But I can go in and order one drake and maybe two hens? I don't need a ton of ducks, just a few, and I have an incubator, so if they lay eggs, that's fine. I can either eat them or set them. Not a big deal. But I am looking forward to seeing them running around the yard. Now to decide on a color...lol!

 

[streemers]

i got some very healthy sexed ducklings from metzer farms. you can order just a few but there is a $30.00 min. price on these little orders. so even if you get 3 you still pay 30.00.