The khaki-Campbell duck Thread !!!!!!!!

[cosbackyard]

Whew! I just went through all 22 pages of the KC thread! I can't wait to get my ducklings! DH says I have to build the coop first, at least, so we aren't racing a deadline. I bought all the materials for the projected coop and run this weekend (spending money! Oh Boy!) I'm planning to order 10 Khakis from Metzer, since they are closest to us so hopefully the darlings will be on the road for the least amount of time. It's got to be traumatic for them. I'm ordering straight run, but I hope I get at least half females. Any excess drakes will be butchered and eaten, even though I know it will be very hard to do-- at least as hard as putting down a doe goat that is getting too old to breed and has given you years of service. I'm not sure when the best age for butchering is--(Most of the posts on this thread seem to view their Khakies as pets so please don't flame me because I am considering eating them)

One question I have is about "ponds". I can't afford an in-ground pond; I'm planning on using a combination of kiddie pool and those tough rubber bucket/troughs I've seen at the feed store. How many do you figure I need to keep them happy?

The best time to butcher is a topic of debate. Some say as young as 3 months, some say 4-6. Most seem to think under a year is best, but old birds can be done as well.

As for the pool - ALL of the ducks will try to cram in. So figure you'll need enough space or pools for ten ducks. Two kiddie pools or so.
But don't feel obligated to have filled pools at all times. It is not necessary, and depending on where you live can be expensive to keep filled.

 

[cosbackyard]

Curious, do these fly for anyone? Mine just run....

Nope, they just run and flap their wings a bit. They're capable of getting off the ground but certainly not flying in any real sense of the word.

 

[cosbackyard]

Mommato -
Pretty sure you have one drake and two ducks.

 

[djgiffordrn]

I am getting two KC ducks and drakes tomorrow. Do they need a separate housing from the chickens?? I have a kiddie pool etc and they can have their own horse stall... Do they need to be fenced in though??

 

[lucyhill86]

Please help guys my kc ducklings are going bald on there belly they r 4-5 weeks old

 

[Britesea]

Please help guys my kc ducklings are going bald on there belly they r 4-5 weeks old

 

[lucyhill86]

???

 

[lucyhill86]

???

 

[cletus the rooster]

anyone want to trade 6 purebred NPIP narragansett turkey eggs for 12 khaki campbell eggs?

 

[djgiffordrn]

I got my ducks last evening and had two eggs for me this morning. I was told two drakes two ducks. Only one of the drakes has a dark head though. Both drakes have lighter feet.