The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: SussexRanger on December 03, 2010, 05:40:02 pm

Title: Utility ducks.
Post by: SussexRanger on December 03, 2010, 05:40:02 pm

Hiya, anyone got any expierience keeping ducks for utility. Seen some Appleyard cross Cayuga ducks for sale, look like good utility ducks. Im thinking about getting 2 ducks and 2 drakes and keeping the best male and females for hatching my own ducklings next year. Then eat one of the drakes as a tester!

Anyone eaten campbell drakes before?

Thanks, Rich

Title: Re: Utility ducks.
Post by: Castle Farm on December 03, 2010, 06:22:11 pm

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/Appleyard%20Ducks/100_1853.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/Appleyard%20Ducks/AppleyardDucks021-1.jpg)

These are pure Appleyards. Goods layers and the drakes can dress out about 4-5lbs.
I can see no point in crossing with a Cayuga. It may give a little bit of hybrid vigour, but egg size would suffer and the size of the birds.

Pure breds would always command a higher value than a cross.

Title: Re: Utility ducks.
Post by: OhLaLa on December 03, 2010, 06:36:19 pm

One drake to one duck is not a good idea. On average you need one drake to FIVE ducks.

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Title: Re: Utility ducks.
Post by: doganjo on December 03, 2010, 07:04:26 pm

And even more if they are randy KCs!!!  ;) ;D ;D ;D

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Title: Re: Utility ducks.
Post by: northfifeduckling on December 04, 2010, 05:10:42 pm

no , definitely keep more girls that boys in the beginning. you'll get plenty of boys once you start breeding.,
We've eaten one of our KCs, not much on them, hardly any more than on a wild bird (for me not worth the trauma). I've hear that Muscovies/Barberries are the best dual purpose birds as they are also good mothers and enjpy the sitting. :&>