Some general duck questions

[pauleberly]

Well I've emailed a couple of hatcheries. The bigges problem is getting shipped a couple of ducks requires that heat pack (25$ extra). So now I'm trying to find some cheaper alternatives that's has the Muscovies (wanted hatchery so they could do the pinion for me)

I might have to add on to my duck house lol. A 2x3 with lights in it probably wouldn't be big enough for 5 full grown ducks and a light (if I choose one).

This will probably end up being an egg and meat production in the later years (1-2 years)

 

[pauleberly]

Found a local breeder. Is 5$ a duckling a good price for 3-4 week old ducklings. They are Muscovy

Also when are Muscovy chicks old enough to sex?

 

[ltsite6]

That's a great price. grab them!!!

 

[ltsite6]

Normally day olds will be about 3 to 5 dollars round my way. So for that age, that's a good price.

 

[pauleberly]

Excellent!! I am grabbing all 10 and hopefully I can post pictures and get them sexed.

She has black and Browns, 1 fawn, 1 blue, and one with a barred feather pattern.

 

[ltsite6]

To my personal knowledge the only way to tell before they are fully mature is the size of the legs and the size of the bird. It's a big difference. They say, 7pounds for hens about and 13 or so fore drakes. So. When their full grown it's apparent!

 

[pauleberly]

Ok. I just did not want to end up with to many males and tem fighting the entire time. Once I get them home I'll grab some weights and individual pictures!

 

[ltsite6]

Sounds good!!! It still may be difficult to distinguish the gender until they are much older, but the males typically will NOT fight or be dominant until sexual maturity age. So you still have plenty of time before you will need to get rid of excess males.

 

[ltsite6]

Very excited for you! I love Ducks. Probably my favorite birds in my yard! I am getting a drake and 2 hens sometime this week! I'm getting cayugas. Their stunning. And can potentially lay black eggs. Their pretty neat. Currently I have Rouens and muscovy's. Which are both wonderful.

 

[pauleberly]

Well I think I will have to redo the house. Can the ducks at this age live with chickens, or will the chickens be mean to them?

I do have 2 silkies who could potentioanlly take over as mothers (neither have been broody yet tho)

I basically got my ducks before I have a house built for them lol