What online hatchery did you buy your ducklings from?

[IsabellaMarilyn]

Hello. I’m planing on ordering 3 female runner ducklings in the next couple of months. Possibly hatching eggs. I’ve been looking into Metzer Farms and Cackle Hatchery. Have you received ducks from either one; and if so what was your experience like? Are there other good hatcheries you can recommend that sell sexed ducklings? Can someone tell me the pros and cons of hatching eggs vs buying ducklings? Any advice would be appreciated; Thank you!

 

[MagpieDucks]

I ordered mine from Johnson’s Waterfowl. Good business, with good birds. Good prices as well. They have some different sexing requirements than other hatcheries, as you have to buy and equal amount of Males as Females.
www.johnsonswaterfowl.com
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/johnson-waterfowl.439864/

 

[Texag87]

Our next time will be from Ideal because they are only 60 miles away as the crow flies and will let you pick them up.

 

[IsabellaMarilyn]

I ordered mine from Johnson’s Waterfowl. Good business, with good birds. Good prices as well. They have some different sexing requirements than other hatcheries, as you have to buy and equal amount of Males as Females.
www.johnsonswaterfowl.com
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/johnson-waterfowl.439864/

Thank you. I looked at their website. They don’t ship to my state

 

[Texag87]

Try Ideal Poultry.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I bought this year's Spring Ducklings from two hatcheries: Five White Layers came from Metzer Farms, five Buff Orpingtons and five Magpies came from Ideal Poultry.
One of the White Layers arrived with an injured leg and went to good new home, where she is spoiled as a house duck, the other fourteen are doing well. @Magnolia Ducks has a theory that the ducklings from Metzer are larger but more passive and the 'lings from Ideal Poultry are smaller but more agile. I can confirm that! Also, Metzer charges a hefty »small order fee«.

 

[IsabellaMarilyn]

Try Ideal Poultry.

I just went on their website to check them out. What’s the difference (other than the appearance) of crested ducks?

 

[IsabellaMarilyn]

I bought this year's Spring Ducklings from two hatcheries: Five White Layers came from Metzer Farms, five Buff Orpingtons and five Magpies came from Ideal Poultry.
One of the White Layers arrived with an injured leg and went to good new home, where she is spoiled as a house duck, the other fourteen are doing well. @Magnolia Ducks has a theory that the ducklings from Metzer are larger but more passive and the 'lings from Ideal Poultry are smaller but more agile. I can confirm that! Also, Metzer charges a hefty »small order fee«.

Thank you for sharing you experiences! Oh I saw the prices lol I only want three ducks it’s more pricey than all the others I’ve looked at. Their reviews are pretty good and the information they provide on their website surpassed the others I looked at. I wouldn’t mind passive but I don’t want an over frightened duckling.

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

As far as I know, there are no online hatcheries where I am. So, I have to find breeders and get adult or juvenile ducks.

 

[IsabellaMarilyn]

As far as I know, there are no online hatcheries where I am. So, I have to find breeders and get adult or juvenile ducks.

That’s good, I’d prefer to get them in person as well. I looked online for local (within a few hours driving distance) from me and I’ve found no Indian Runner breeders so I don’t think I can go that route. I’m not exactly thrilled to get them via mail possibly dead or injured.