Ducklies picture post

[trystinn]

Almost four weeks old now, the Khaki Campbell ducklings are still growing at nearly an inch a day. Given our weather here has turned cold and wet, I've made them a rain break by covering their old pen with a tarp so they can go inside and get dry. We'll see if they use it, mostly they really prefer to be in the Pond. Their mature feathers are coming in very quickly, you can see the subtle color variations along their wings. Until the feathers are fully grown in, they won't be able to sustain their body heat very well so they are still sleeping tucked in the hutch - now wrapped in blankets and tarp to hold the heat in.



Only a few days old, the new ducklings haven't hit their growth spurt yet. They are all supposed to be Rouens, but the yellows may be Indian Runners, possibly Faun & White. We won't know for a few more weeks, though. You can see how the yellow ducklings run around upright, standing while the banded, dark ducklings run around in a squatting position. It's all supposition. In any case, our Mystery Ducks are just as cute (but louder) than their darker siblings!

Comments

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Hard to say at present as I'm not sure how many females we have. Depending on the breed, each hen is capable of producing 4-7 eggs per week. So quite a few. I'm hoping to set up a subscription system for their eggs, then offer the rest to the sustainable living co-op here. Friends get first dibbs, obviously, those having helped build and upkeep get freebies. Duck eggs last for 3 months in the fridge, so they are great for Foodies.

So let's say I've lucked out (the Duck Gods adore me, etc.) and all 8 are girls - that's 1 egg per day for each Campbell (28) & Runner (14), say 4 eggs per Rouen (8) per week - that's a maximum of 50 per week. Obviously, individual hens will lay as they will - these are estimates, only.

That said - I'm really fairly positive I've got at least one Campbell drake (Bernard). Way too early to tell with the newbies.

The guys aren't necessary for egg production and frankly may be too problematic, which may necessitate separate pens until they are old enough to go to the processor (3 months). A lot of folks kill off their flock each year in the Fall for meat and begin again with a new flock in the Spring. I can't possibly see us doing that. The neighborhood kids would hate us.