what if we get straight run?

[jdywntr]

The reason you get more males then females with straight run in hatcherys, is because they usually sex out extra females, and just throw you whatever they have left. Which are usually males. But if they don't sex ANY of their birds, then you will get a 50\50. Good luck!

X 2 I would not buy SR if the hatchery sexed because most people want females so you end up with boys. No saying for sure what you'd get with luck of the draw but that would help your chances. I am not that familiar with bantam ducks but I know most hatcheries don't sex bantam chicks because of their size. You may end up having to get unsexed. But as previously stated, have a plan for excess drakes.

 

[HSerChickLady]

I was going to get the bantams from Holderread's but they only offer them unsexed. Oh, well. We're not looking for meat birds, just pets.

 

[Fawkes]

holderread's don't offer sexing though so you'd get a mix of 50/50 rather than mostly males.

I wouldn't mind straightrun with ducks as much as I would with chickens. I can't have roos so I would only buy sexed chickens but male ducks are quiet and good pets generally so I wouldnt be against male ducks.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

If you are wanting smaller ducks, you can always buy from a small breeder and in the fall when they would be shipping out pairs. Since bantam is a size and not breed, it would help to know what breed you are looking at.

 

[newbyduckmom]

We got straight run last March when we got out ducks. I figured worst case 50-50 right? Not, 3 males, 1 female. Had to get two sexed ducklings to get enough hens to have the eggs we started out trying to get in the first place. Still have two 'extra' drakes who "don't earn their keep" per spouse. (They do in entertainment factor - but they do eat a lot!)

 

[DB_Tex]

The reason you get more males then females with straight run in hatcherys, is because they usually sex out extra females, and just throw you whatever they have left. Which are usually males. But if they don't sex ANY of their birds, then you will get a 50\50. Good luck!

Yeah, a legit hatchery (especially one that only sells straight run) will be fair in giving you whatever 6 or 10 or 20 ducklings they grab from the breed box.

The sorting process should be something like: from incubator to box of all one breed >> to filling all straight run orders >> sexing the remainder >> sorting into male/ female boxes of the same breed >> filling sexed orders.

A lot of hatcheries swap it around, sex all the birds, fill the pullet or cockeral orders first and then "straight run" is what's left with a couple females added to keep it convincing.

I know Ideal hatchery does not do this, my straight runs from them have always been female heavy as a matter of luck, and holderread doesn't do it either.

If you still want bantams but you want to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have enough girls I know you can get black east indies shipped from Ideal and can order them sexed. I eyed them up last year for possible 4H birds.


I tell anyone who wants a laying flock to not even mess with straight run and chance it. Order all pullets and if you want a drake get one. Straight runs are something I didn't mess with until I already had a battery of females and plans in place to process unneeded drakes.

 

[HSerChickLady]

Thanks. I'll take a peak at the Ideal offerings.

The bantam size ducks we were looking at were Calls, Mini Appleyards, and Mallards possibly. Calls were the kids first choice. They've decided there are other larger breeds they like also (cayuga, buff, swedish, welsh harlequin) but we're not even considering heavy breeds at this point, my sister had Pekins and i'm not interested in ducks that large. We'd like them to be no larger than medium breeds. While they are still really interested in the Calls they're ok with not getting them since we can only find them in straight run chicks.

 

[DB_Tex]

If you're going to do 4H, the leaders recomend smaller animals that will be easier for the kids to handle for showmanship and that is the real demand in bantams.

Most common problem is people choosing like flemish giant rabbits for 9 and 10 year olds because they are so docile--- that's great for a pet but the kiddo can hardly LIFT a bunny that size much less hold it up in all the positions nessesary for them to be judged.

East Indies are really pretty ducks-- almost like a bantam cayuga but the two are not related (or shouldn't be anyway.)

Keep in mind though, you will NEED a covered pen for any bantam. Wing clipping is easy but it's not allowed if you decide to show any of your birds.

If you decide to pass on the bantams, the laying breeds are nice little ducks. My daughter (8) has her very own pet khaki campbell and handles my welsh harlequins a lot (a very calm breed, good with children) I've never had indian runners but I've seen a lot of photos on the metzer youth show page so apparently they are popular for 4H and FFA exhibition.

 

[HSerChickLady]

At this time we're not planning to do 4H, our local one is a joke, from what we've seen so far. These ducks will just be our pets so we'll probably stick with what they picked out (cayuga, buff, swedish, welsh harlequin). The bantam size are so cute though.

 

[Oregon Blues]

You would do well to order the straight run ducks form Holderread. Because of his reputation for quality birds, you should be able to re-home excess drakes. He is honest about straight run. No removing the females before he fills orders.

Or, there are some excellent Call breeders in your part of the country. You could buy 2 -3 juvenile females from a breeder as soon as they are old enough to determine what gender they are.