When to harvest Cambell's for eating

[AA Maple]

OK. It looks like I'm down to 2 girls and 3 boys, possibly only 1 girl, but definitely 3 boys going by head and bean color (working on getting either 6 more sexed ducks or 10 straight run depending what's available). Anyway I know 3 boys isn't going to work out well, so they'll be going on the table and hopefully I'll get enough feathers to make a pillow.

So what's the consensus of proper age/size/signs for processing? They're pretty big already but not completely feathered out. I want to maximize meat and minimize wasted time and feed.

Also what's a minimum size flock so that they can socialize and be happy? They sure seem to enjoy each other's company, move together and are always in formation.

 

[beccaWA]

I have Khakis but have never processed any. However, I too have an overabundance of drakes; 3 drakes, 4 ducks. That is WAY too many. I might keep one, or they all may go as my chicken just set on & hatched out 3 duck eggs, and maybe more on the way. So in my limited experience, I would probably keep one drake to six ducks.

From my understanding though, these Khakis are very lightweight. Not a meat duck at all, but I'm going to get mine processed as they are beating up ferociously on the females. I'm thinking stew or crockpot... Good luck.

 

[AA Maple]

I have Khakis but have never processed any. However, I too have an overabundance of drakes; 3 drakes, 4 ducks. That is WAY too many. I might keep one, or they all may go as my chicken just set on & hatched out 3 duck eggs, and maybe more on the way. So in my limited experience, I would probably keep one drake to six ducks.

From my understanding though, these Khakis are very lightweight. Not a meat duck at all, but I'm going to get mine processed as they are beating up ferociously on the females. I'm thinking stew or crockpot... Good luck.

I found a homesteading website where the fellow said they dressed out to 4 or 4.5 pounds and were delicious. Obviously they're not a meat bird, but they certainly grow quickly. I can't keep them and I don't want to wait until they're too old/tough/gamey and have another 20$ worth of feed into them. Also planning to save feathers to make a pillow or two.

Assuming I buy more straight-run or hatch my own surplus drakes will be a constant issue... hopefully we get an answer soon.

I'm thinking Peking duck (parboiled, hung and painted with molasses for a day, baked til skin is crispy then served on thin pancakes or steamed bread with scallion and hoisin sauce).

Also if things go well with other birds I want to attempt to make a turduckin for Thanksgiving this year if I can figure out how to de-bone birds properly for assembly.

 

[beccaWA]

That sounds delicious! And good luck with the turduckin. Sounds ambitious.