Ok, so we got chickens and ducks at Easter, raised them up, and I am just now paying close attention to them and giving all our birds the attention they really need. They were raised correctly, don't get be wrong, but I didn't go out of my way to learn about them. So now I'm starting!
The chickens, about a month ago, started laying. We still have a few that haven't laid yet which is odd because they are all the same age.
======> ducks....Ok, so we got a few ducks as well. They were bought because they're cute, they sound awesome across the yard, and would produce eggs and be turned into main course meals in the late fall. (I think)
Judging by what I've read up on so far, it seems we may have four drakes and one duck. I'm basing this on the fact that from what I've read Drakes have a curly butt feather (The two Swedes we have have that), two quiet ones (one Pekin and the one Ancona) points to the fact they may be males, and the one boisterous, quacking Pekin which I take to mean should be a female.
Have I got that right so far? I know this probably isn't an exact indicator of who's what, but this is a first attempt at sexing them.
Pictures will be posted in the What Breed/Gender forum once I can start to post pictures.
And finally.... does anyone know how much longer after chickens ducks start to lay eggs? Two months or so....does that sound right? I know it depends on breed, etc, but in general?
Thanks for reading!
ST
The chickens, about a month ago, started laying. We still have a few that haven't laid yet which is odd because they are all the same age.
======> ducks....Ok, so we got a few ducks as well. They were bought because they're cute, they sound awesome across the yard, and would produce eggs and be turned into main course meals in the late fall. (I think)
Judging by what I've read up on so far, it seems we may have four drakes and one duck. I'm basing this on the fact that from what I've read Drakes have a curly butt feather (The two Swedes we have have that), two quiet ones (one Pekin and the one Ancona) points to the fact they may be males, and the one boisterous, quacking Pekin which I take to mean should be a female.
Have I got that right so far? I know this probably isn't an exact indicator of who's what, but this is a first attempt at sexing them.
Pictures will be posted in the What Breed/Gender forum once I can start to post pictures.
And finally.... does anyone know how much longer after chickens ducks start to lay eggs? Two months or so....does that sound right? I know it depends on breed, etc, but in general?
Thanks for reading!
ST