Redirection of my breeding plans. First hatch photos

[duckyfromoz]

I got the second little green egg from one of the girls this morning.

It looks like they are taking turns to lay so far. I got two eggs the first day- but one from each over the next two days.

iamcuriositycat - it would be sad for you to give up completely on it. Anconas sre gorgeous and on a runner would be spectacular. I am so looking forward to the day I can give up work and retire to the coiuntry where I will have plenty of space for as many colour projects as I want.

Senna95 - yes thats right Harlequin Runners- Although its only the adults I have that are really harlequin. I can breed good drakes- but my young girls this year is why I am starting the new direction.

 

[Birdcrazy]

Very pretty girls your friend gave you, your project sounds very interesting

When I get the space, I reckon I'd love to start a colour project, such a big range with ducks.
Have runners due on the 16th that a friend gave me, can't wait - they're beautiful birds!!

 

[duckyfromoz]

Good luck with those eggs Birdcrazy. Runners are beautiful babies. Alot of mine are " stompers" - they stomp there feet a few times before sitting down. Seeing them stand up as tall as they can to try and peek over the brooder is sweet too. I took a break from hatching for a few weeks- but tonight have a few eggs pipped.

I put the first two eggs into the bator a few days ago..and it looks like the green egg has something happening. A bit too early to tell for sure - and it will be one fertilized by my friends drakes- but I am still excited. I have had 3 green eggs now- but I dont think the fawn duck has laid again since Sunday. She doesnt have that pouch they get when about to lay- but fingers crossed she will start up again soon.

 

[CityChicker]

We have had some do the same thing, duckyfromoz! It is so funny. We had two that we raised at the end of the season last year, just the two of them by themselves. The little drake did it so much and so fast, we called him "Happy Feet" for a long time. He would almost run in place, LOL. He still does it on occasion when he gets really excited. He also does the stomping the ground/floor thing to make his bed before he sets down.

As far the discussion about making money with the birds, it is VERY difficult. You have to do huge volume (like thousands of birds) to really make any decent money when you figure in all of the true expenses- feed, shelter, supplies, bedding, new stock, income lost for all the hours you basically work for free, etc...

In a commercial setting, it is very hard to do as well. To add insult to injury (LOL), a lot of times when you do work with birds professionally like in a hatchery, they most often do not let you own your own birds at home. Anyway, in a home setting where the birds take so much money to raise and keep in good condition, ever turning a real profit is extremely hard. This is more of a hobby you do for the love of it.

 

[duckyfromoz]

The first of the little green eggs has hatched this morning. I was pushing time to watch it hatch and still make it to work on time, but so glad I got to see a quick glance at him/ her fully out of the egg. It looks pretty much the same as all the others I harched last year, but this one doesnt have my drakes as a daddy, I still have to wait for those ones.

There are 5 other eggs in there pipped so I hope little duckie #1 has some compnay by the time I get home from work. I so wish I was home to see who comes from what egg- but my daughter is keeping an eye on that for me. being that the friend I borrowed the ducks from - I am hoping for some dark ducklings from her fawn duck. Something different in colour would be a novelty - even if I cant keep them once grown.

I am taking my friends ducks home to her tomorrow, with a full incubator already- I would love to keep them a little while longer- but really just dont have the space for too many ducklings all at once. There are 31 eggs all named " Hope " in the incubator, I would be happy to even just get 1 keeper from them, but of course with them being such a rare colour.... A few extras would be nice too.

 

[gofasterstripe]

OH bless your heart.

Maybe when its all dry it might be a different color. I HOPE you get some of the color you want. Everything is crossed for you.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Three little ones have now hatched...all from green eggs. My daughter has just sent through an email with photos here to me at work. Such cute little things - all look similar except for their beaks.

I am so glad its Friday here - and I am more than half way through my day. I would love to go home on my lunch break.... But I know I wouldnt come back if I went home now.

 

[duckyfromoz]

I got home from work to find four hatched. The last one from a white egg. I was surprised as it was from a fawn coloured duck. I was really hoping for something darker.

They all look to be harlequin phase - but the beak colours still arent what I thought they might be. The last two eggs have pipped at the small end - and wont hatch for at least another 24 hours I think based on the time difference between pipping. Cant wait for the next lot in 5 days!!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Beautiful!

I'll be watching!

 

[FenDruadin]

Gorgeous! Those dark bills are promising--their feathers may grow in as fawn rather than white--fawn & white ducklings are yellow at hatch, but with the darker bill. They might even be silver. Sorry--I forget the genetics of the parents (and I'm in a rush to get ready for work)--but I just wanted to throw that out there.

Congrats on a good hatch. I hope you end up with some colors you can use.