This past Fall, my DH and I unexpectedly ended up with some Cayugas and Pekins. We have a Cayuga drake and two hens, and three Pekin hens. We also have a IR drake. The Cayuga is the boss, though, and the IR doesn't even try to challenge him for rights to the girls. All of them did well through the Winter. DH built them a duck house inside the chicken run, and put tarp covering over one side of the run to help protect them from the elements. We have a creek that goes through our property, and I walked them down to it yesterday. They had so much fun! Surprisingly, I went outside about 4 hours later and saw all the ducks lined up at the gate to the chicken yard. They had walked all the way back up all by themselves!
I ordered some Cayuga eggs recently, and put them in the bator. I also put about 18 of my Pekin/Cayuga X eggs in it. A couple of days ago, my Cayuga hens began to lay. Their eggs are much prettier than the ones that came from the hatchery. I have a restaurant that wants to purchase duck meat from me as often as I can produce/process it. DH and I want to move the duck house down to the creek and build a fenced in area for them to go into in the evening. Is this ok to move them down there?
In regard to ducklings, how long do I need to wait until they are introduced to the adults? Also, at what age is it ok for them to swim? I've read that Cayugas are ready for processing at around 20 weeks, and Pekins are ready at around 6 weeks. Is this accurate? If it is, would it be reasonable to assume that a Pekin/Cayuga X would be ready at around 15 weeks?
Thanks, in advance, for your help!
I ordered some Cayuga eggs recently, and put them in the bator. I also put about 18 of my Pekin/Cayuga X eggs in it. A couple of days ago, my Cayuga hens began to lay. Their eggs are much prettier than the ones that came from the hatchery. I have a restaurant that wants to purchase duck meat from me as often as I can produce/process it. DH and I want to move the duck house down to the creek and build a fenced in area for them to go into in the evening. Is this ok to move them down there?
In regard to ducklings, how long do I need to wait until they are introduced to the adults? Also, at what age is it ok for them to swim? I've read that Cayugas are ready for processing at around 20 weeks, and Pekins are ready at around 6 weeks. Is this accurate? If it is, would it be reasonable to assume that a Pekin/Cayuga X would be ready at around 15 weeks?
Thanks, in advance, for your help!
