The Duck Thread

[JadeComputerGal]

Okay, deep breath. I have to stop procrastinating and get these ducks posted for sale like I was supposed to do weekend before last. Please wish me luck in getting through this. I don't know why I always have such a struggle with it. You'd think I was sending them to a processing plant or something for how freaked out about it I get.

 

[sryglet]

CG is offline right now, so I'm going to respond to this so you don't have to sit there and worry.

If you have loose or detached air cell, the best way to try to get it stabilized is to keep the eggs upright without turning, only slight tilting. It doesn't sound like that's what you have. They'll all move around a little. What you don't want to see is the air cell actually moving around in the egg. The easiest way to think of it is to think of a bubble level. You know how the air in those will shift back and forth as you raise and lower the level? I've seen air cells fully detached so that the egg really works like a level. If you lay it on its side, the air cell will come to the side and move the same way a level does. An air cell that shifts out of position from the large end of the egg will rarely produce a duckling.

Thank you! The air cell that I was seeing is definitely not moving like that at all - but it's at the small end of the egg, not the big end.. but with that being said, my pekin is HUGE and this egg is pretty big as well... the air sac appears to already be relatively decent in size. So hopefully it'll be fine?

 

[sryglet]

Okay, deep breath. I have to stop procrastinating and get these ducks posted for sale like I was supposed to do weekend before last. Please wish me luck in getting through this. I don't know why I always have such a struggle with it. You'd think I was sending them to a processing plant or something for how freaked out about it I get.

I'm sorry that you have to get rid of them. If someone watched them for you would you be able to take them back, or do you have to cut down on your flock? Have you contacted your local 4H poultry club?

 

[JadeComputerGal]

I'm sorry that you have to get rid of them. If someone watched them for you would you be able to take them back, or do you have to cut down on your flock? Have you contacted your local 4H poultry club?

You don't have to be sorry. It's a seasonal thing. We breed them, pick the best of the what comes of that once they're grown to use them for future breeders, then sell the rest. They all go to good homes. I kind of grill people who call about them to make sure I feel good about the new owners. It's just always very hard for me to get rid of the ones that don't make the cut. I love all ducks.

No, I haven't done it yet. I decided to call my mother instead to see how she's doing. In other words, I'm still procrastinating.

 

[caesargirl]

I think that the air sac was anchored - it only moved maybe half a centimeter while being moved. I thought that not turning them was bad for them? Also, why do you put the big end up? Everything I've read says that you just incubate them upright to decrease the space that they take up, and that incubating upright reduces hatch rate. Isn't incubating on its side closer to how it would naturally be incubated by mom? Not trying to be argumentative in the least, just very curious! 

You are correct actually! When I see any abnormal air cell, I put egg upright and tilt. Otherwise I do most hatching on the side with large end slightly elevated. And turning the egg is to prevent the embryo from sticking. The only reason I mentioned big end up is because you said you saw the cell move, I do that to fix the cell. I don't like even slight movement. I also incubate both sideways and upright, with zero problems. This is all personal experience only. (With one of the worst incubators on the market!) but, however you do it, good luck, ask any question, and, pictures please!!!!! I videoed a candling once, very cool!

 

[Debs Flock]

You don't have to be sorry. It's a seasonal thing. We breed them, pick the best of the what comes of that once they're grown to use them for future breeders, then sell the rest. They all go to good homes. I kind of grill people who call about them to make sure I feel good about the new owners. It's just always very hard for me to get rid of the ones that don't make the cut. I love all ducks.

No, I haven't done it yet. I decided to call my mother instead to see how she's doing. In other words, I'm still procrastinating.

LOL...whew, I wouldn't want to be on the other end of that call with you!

I understand, though. That would be very hard.

 

[jtn42248]

You don't have to be sorry. It's a seasonal thing. We breed them, pick the best of the what comes of that once they're grown to use them for future breeders, then sell the rest. They all go to good homes. I kind of grill people who call about them to make sure I feel good about the new owners. It's just always very hard for me to get rid of the ones that don't make the cut. I love all ducks.

No, I haven't done it yet. I decided to call my mother instead to see how she's doing. In other words, I'm still procrastinating.

Too bad you don't live right next door to me. That way, when the time came, you could just slip them all over the fence with mine and I would never tell.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

LOL...whew, I wouldn't want to be on the other end of that call with you!

I understand, though. That would be very hard.

Deb, if you were on the phone with me, all I'd ask is how many you wanted. It's the people I have no idea about that worry me.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

Too bad you don't live right next door to me. That way, when the time came, you could just slip them all over the fence with mine and I would never tell.

I think it's too bad I don't live right next door to you for many reasons.

 

[Frindizzle]

Hello, it's been a while since I've stopped in. Today it's a sad occasion. I have 6 drakes I need to rehome ASAP!!!! I'M moving this weekend, and can only take two.

The ones available are 2 pekins, 3 rouens and one, well I don't know his breed, but he's beautiful. The oldest are 5-6 months old, youngest are 3-4. I have pictures available upon request.

You might want to post on your state thread. Maybe someone will take them in. I hope you find good homes for them!