The Khaki Campbell, Saxony and Rouen ducks are separated now for true mating. The Rouens are sharing a very large pen with the new Ameraucana chicks, the Saxonys are on their own, and there are two pens of Khaki Campbells, one with a pure white Campbell drake (hoping his colour will come through) and the other with a lovely usual Khaki drake. But the bachelors, these three drakes, are outside and hang around the Khaki pens, quacking away. It seems mean to separate them and deny them from being with their flock, but too many drakes are hard on the hens. There are 5 hens in one pen and 4 in the other, and one drake in each. By adding a second drake, since the ducks cannot get away when they are confined, the poor hens get the feathers on the back of their necks torn right off when the drakes mount them. Plus, the drakes begin to squabble with one another. Outside where they have the entire yard to play in, they usually get along quite well.
A duck has the ability to reject sperm if she does not like the mate. Who knew? Hopefully, the ducks will like the drakes I put in with them. They also can retain sperm for up to three weeks, so for the eggs to be true to the breed, that time must elapse. In three weeks then, the Khakis, Saxonys and Rouens will be breeding true and the eggs should be pure. Every once in a while there is a throw back, which is why the pure white drake was hatched from standard Khaki parents.
There are some duck and goose eggs in the incubator now with the first due to hatch on April 28 and the next a week later. There may be some true bred ducklings and some crosses. It will be impossible to tell when they are first hatched, but when their feathers are in, it will be much easier. In the meantime, the poor bachelor boys pine for their ladies outside, relegated to hanging around. They do have a place to go should they want to, but they are so flock bound, they basically have only gone round and round the pen trying to get in. Poor boys!
A duck has the ability to reject sperm if she does not like the mate. Who knew? Hopefully, the ducks will like the drakes I put in with them. They also can retain sperm for up to three weeks, so for the eggs to be true to the breed, that time must elapse. In three weeks then, the Khakis, Saxonys and Rouens will be breeding true and the eggs should be pure. Every once in a while there is a throw back, which is why the pure white drake was hatched from standard Khaki parents.
There are some duck and goose eggs in the incubator now with the first due to hatch on April 28 and the next a week later. There may be some true bred ducklings and some crosses. It will be impossible to tell when they are first hatched, but when their feathers are in, it will be much easier. In the meantime, the poor bachelor boys pine for their ladies outside, relegated to hanging around. They do have a place to go should they want to, but they are so flock bound, they basically have only gone round and round the pen trying to get in. Poor boys!
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