Yay! Only 4 left! (Pics pg3)

[bock]

Quote:
There's a lot of demand early in the spring, around March and April, but it tapers off after May. I advertise that I'll have ducklings and then I start a waiting list and hatch to fulfill it - that way, I have buyers lined up long before the ducklings hatch. It's sort of fun too, because I give them e-mail updates with candling pictures and everything until they hatch and are ready to be picked up.

That sounds like fun!

I will just be sure not to hatch too many.

 

[Sweetfolly]

Quote:
There's a lot of demand early in the spring, around March and April, but it tapers off after May. I advertise that I'll have ducklings and then I start a waiting list and hatch to fulfill it - that way, I have buyers lined up long before the ducklings hatch. It's sort of fun too, because I give them e-mail updates with candling pictures and everything until they hatch and are ready to be picked up.

That sounds like fun!

I will just be sure not to hatch too many.

Well, you have to set some extra eggs to account for any quitters - but I only have one extra duckling running around the brooder right now, and I've already named it "Little Bit" (it's a 3-day-old in the brooder with 3-WEEK-olds), so that one might just have to stay.

Bleenie - Aren't there any poultry swaps coming up in your area? I still have two hatches left this year and I've checked off every name on my waiting list, but I'm planning on raising them up until I can sex them and then selling them as pairs or trios at a swap late this summer (after I pick out a few favorite girls to keep around

).

 

[chickboss]

There is the Oregon Chicken Swap comming up in Sept. I'm sure you don't want to keep them that long, but if it ends up that you do still have them then, you could give it a go. WA has one to don't they? I swear I saw it listed but it may only go in the Spring. You could always get one going for your area.

 

[Wifezilla]

Laurie, there is someone on SufficientSelf.com (a sister site to BYC) who has been desperately looking for runners. You might want to put up a post there.

 

[Violet22]

What I finally had to do last year, was put them on CL for free. They were gone in 5 seconds. Actually went to good homes too, not for dinner.

 

[Bleenie]

These babies were given to me by a friend, something was picking them off so she asked if i wanted them(of course i couldnt let them get eaten)...theres about 3 more hens due anytime!

I am worried i will just get a bunch of calls from people wanting to eat them if i advertise them for free. I am going to try a local farmers market and i may be able to sell some of them there. I planned on keeping 2 but If that doesn't work out I may keep more than expected and have to build a new shed outside or something. They're being brooded on the porch right now and they're crazy messy! they did get to sleep on the grass last night though, they seemed to enjoy the open air in the small run/pen.

The Rouen/Pekin mixes were not this messy, maybe it was because there was only 5 though.

I am almost dreading the upcoming Muscovy hatches, I have even had a bit of a hard time selling them this year(at $5/ea). the strange thing is that everyone else is sellign them for $10+ and they seem to be moving fast! At least i really love my muscovies and they're not near as messy as the others, lol.

where do i check for poultry swaps and such?

 

[Cetawin]

You may consider lowering the price on the ducklings...compare what the food will cost for continuing to keep them and weigh the option of lowering the price to rehome them and save the food expense. They are mixed breed ducklings also and that can make rehoming difficult at times.

Good luck rehoming them.

 

[chickboss]

Sometimes, if people see a product for a certian price, and then see it somewhere else cheaper they assume that the cheaper one is inferior. You may bump those prices up for a week or so to see what happens. People are funny. Personally, there isn't much difference between $3 and free. Considering what you pay for duck in the store, if I was going to pick up random birds for meat, I wouldn't bat an eye at paying $3 for them. And if they are still babies, you may not have to worry about meat buyers anyway. You might as well try free, and screen the people to the best of your ability. Check here on the "Chickenswaps, Shows, and Meet Ups" forum. I think I got that title wrong, lol, but you'll see it.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

me too. I had a bunch of pekins hatch. Just put the males on the pond yesterday. kept a male and 6 girls. I wish I could get rid of them. Got rid of the parents a couple days ago $20 for the pair.

 

[PlumTuckered]

I wish I lived near all of you. I can never find ducklings around my area. I'm eager for my Mallard Drake to mature and start servicing my girls

Michelle