The Duck Thread

[Hayden W]

Does anybody have a Muscovy/Swedish mixed duck? If so could you post a picture cause I might be getting some from my broody Swedish and I have a Muscovy drake and all of the eggs are firtile.

 

[AuroraDoerksen]

What is the best method to provide heat for ducklings?

 

[NathanZee]

What is a CX chicken? Are they they ones that grow so fast and big that they have unnaturally short lives?

They are a cross between a Cornish and a White Plymouth Rock. Yes, they grow extremely fast and can't usually handle their fast growth too well, its really hard on the heart and other organs.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

What is the best method to provide heat for ducklings?

I personally just like usuing a brooder lamp. Keeps them nice and warm and they don't touch it.

 

[Ren2014]

What is the best method to provide heat for ducklings?

How old are they? I use a mommy heating pad. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update

They are a cross between a Cornish and a White Plymouth Rock. Yes, they grow extremely fast and can't usually handle their fast growth too well, its really hard on the heart and other organs.

Why would anyone breed them?

 

[Pyxis]

Why would anyone breed them? 

They're meat birds - they get big and they grow quick and they're ready for slaughter at six to eight weeks.

 

[Ren2014]

They're meat birds - they get big and they grow quick and they're ready for slaughter at six to eight weeks.

O wow, that makes sense.

 

[PotatoWaffles]

Let the chickens out with the big ducks yesterday and it went surprisingly well. There were a couple of body slams - mostly from Biff the buff, she's top duck now - but nothing severe. There was more fighting amongst the chickens themselves, lol. They spar like mad.

Broken wing has most of his feathers now, some of them stick up funny from the way he holds his wing. Still not sure if he is a boy or girl. He doesn't seem to have the energy of the other chicks tho. He lays down more often than them and doesn't come outside as mich. But seems okay otherwise.

 

[Tevyes Dad]

Let the chickens out with the big ducks yesterday and it went surprisingly well. There were a couple of body slams - mostly from Biff the buff, she's top duck now - but nothing severe. There was more fighting amongst the chickens themselves, lol. They spar like mad.

Broken wing has most of his feathers now, some of them stick up funny from the way he holds his wing. Still not sure if he is a boy or girl. He doesn't seem to have the energy of the other chicks tho. He lays down more often than them and doesn't come outside as mich. But seems okay otherwise.

Great pics. Glad your integration seems to be going well. I love how in the last pic, your Pekin is shooting a water laser into the tub

 

[Pyxis]

Oh my, I have life in my khaki eggs - 11 of them! Only one didn't start developing because upon candling I found that it was cracked. Tossed that one. Even have one with a detached air cell that's developing - we'll see how this plays out. This is surprising to me because they were actually refrigerated before I set them. Apparently duck embryos are hardy little things!