Thoughts on our new gal...

[PicklesMom]

I'm curious what others think about this little hen that I picked up on Craigslist yesterday. She is supposed to be a Buff/Rouen cross, hatched "in June".
She's so small! I'd guess 1-2 lbs, though I haven't weighed her. She is mostly feathered but has a little fluff on her back. When we have raised Pekin & Swedish ducklings they were full sized by 10-12 weeks, but I'm reading that Rouens are very slow to mature.

What do you all think the odds are that she'll keep growing? Do you think she's just younger than advertised?

There were some call ducks in the yard as well, part of me is wondering if she's part call duck (not ideal given my Pekin drake) so I'm really crossing my fingers that she's got some growing to do.

Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Shes beautiful. She looks a lot like my 2 Buffs females but for size she could be Buff /Call.
Could it be the reason for her size she may not have gotten a lot to eat where she was if there were many other ducks in the mix?

 

[PicklesMom]

Shes beautiful. She looks a lot like my 2 Buffs females but for size she could be Buff /Call.
Could it be the reason for her size she may not have gotten a lot to eat where she was if there were many other ducks in the mix?

I don't think so -- she was in a smaller pen with two others that were the same size (I was hoping to bring home two but the other seemed to be a boy so left her brother behind). She also feels pretty squishy in the chest when you pick her up, not thin
The calls were in a separate enclosure, but sounds like they sometimes would intermingle.
Of course once I saw her I had to take her, even if she's not ideally sized, so I guess we'll see how it goes!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Oh, she is just a darling!!! I would guess a Call drake got the mom, if the mom is the Buff. With those colours, it doesn't have any Rouen since that is a dominant gene.

She also has a very Call-looking face. So cute and squooshy!

 

[PicklesMom]

Oh, she is just a darling!!! I would guess a Call drake got the mom, if the mom is the Buff. With those colours, it doesn't have any Rouen since that is a dominant gene.

She also has a very Call-looking face. So cute and squooshy!

That's what I'm thinking too, the more I think about it. I guess I'm back on the hunt for two larger females, then

 

[Canadian Wind]

That's what I'm thinking too, the more I think about it. I guess I'm back on the hunt for two larger females, then

Oh no! Not more ducks!



Any excuse, right? Or that's what I keep telling my daughter.

I'm going to a no-hoof livestock sale on Sunday. Ducks and chickens and rabbits, here I come!!!

 

[Aunt Angus]

That's what I'm thinking too, the more I think about it. I guess I'm back on the hunt for two larger females, then

"Oh, darn. I have to get more ducks."
~ no duck parent ever.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Oh no! Not more ducks!



Any excuse, right? Or that's what I keep telling my daughter.

I'm going to a no-hoof livestock sale on Sunday. Ducks and chickens and rabbits, here I come!!!

Now that I know of at least 2 local sources for Call ducks, I am in terrible trouble.


But LOOK AT THIS.

 

[PicklesMom]

Now that I know of at least 2 local sources for Call ducks, I am in terrible trouble.


But LOOK AT THIS.
View attachment 3250403

The call ducks are so sweet! Whenever my giant lump of a Pekin passes (he's only 2 so hopefully it will be a bit) I can see myself transitioning totally to Calls.

 

[PicklesMom]

Here's another question ... do you think I'd need to worry about her flying away? None of my others can fly very far. Her wings don't have mature feathers yet so maybe not an issue, but I'd hate to lose her!