I am trying to simplify my life. Right now, I want more time for my writing and learning photography. I think, maybe, 20+ ducks is more than enough right now.
Here is what I'm thinking:
* Keep three black magpie hens from Holderread and one blue magpie drake also from Holderread. These are my best producers by far at the moment, and beautiful to boot.
* Sell my five tuxedo blue Runner hens and their tuxedo blue drake, as a breeding flock. They are hatchery quality and producing decently considering it's winter. They were a color project that I think I am ready to say goodbye to.
* Sell the remainder of my flock as a group or separately, consisting of 11 hens in various colors (black, fawn/white, blue, silver--yes, two silvers!) and two blue drakes. One hen and both drakes are Holderread blues. The drakes are GORGEOUS, upright, very nice color, very nice boys--not sure I'm ready to let them go--and the hen is producing very nicely, also gorgeous. The remainder are good hatchery quality producing mediocrely. All are either this year or last year's hatch.
* Purchase ten more Holderread magpies for Spring (using the proceeds from the other sales), and keep only the blue and black hens from that group, leaving me ultimately with a flock of about seven or eight blue & black magpies from Holderread.
Then I have to decide what to do with my geese. One is bonded with my main flock, and I'd hate to separate him. He's very protective and extremely attached to them. I might have to insist that he go with part of the flock and never be separated from them.
Or maybe I'll keep him and part of my flock as company, and just let them be pets.
Aaaaa. Decisions!
The other benefit of thinning is that I would be able to use the freed-up pens for raising youngsters next Spring, which would relieve some of the pressure I felt last year around trying to get them sold quickly--it wouldn't be as big a deal if I had the space for them as they were growing up.
Decisions!!
Here is what I'm thinking:
* Keep three black magpie hens from Holderread and one blue magpie drake also from Holderread. These are my best producers by far at the moment, and beautiful to boot.
* Sell my five tuxedo blue Runner hens and their tuxedo blue drake, as a breeding flock. They are hatchery quality and producing decently considering it's winter. They were a color project that I think I am ready to say goodbye to.
* Sell the remainder of my flock as a group or separately, consisting of 11 hens in various colors (black, fawn/white, blue, silver--yes, two silvers!) and two blue drakes. One hen and both drakes are Holderread blues. The drakes are GORGEOUS, upright, very nice color, very nice boys--not sure I'm ready to let them go--and the hen is producing very nicely, also gorgeous. The remainder are good hatchery quality producing mediocrely. All are either this year or last year's hatch.
* Purchase ten more Holderread magpies for Spring (using the proceeds from the other sales), and keep only the blue and black hens from that group, leaving me ultimately with a flock of about seven or eight blue & black magpies from Holderread.
Then I have to decide what to do with my geese. One is bonded with my main flock, and I'd hate to separate him. He's very protective and extremely attached to them. I might have to insist that he go with part of the flock and never be separated from them.
Or maybe I'll keep him and part of my flock as company, and just let them be pets.
Aaaaa. Decisions!
The other benefit of thinning is that I would be able to use the freed-up pens for raising youngsters next Spring, which would relieve some of the pressure I felt last year around trying to get them sold quickly--it wouldn't be as big a deal if I had the space for them as they were growing up.
Decisions!!
