Black East Indie duck

[birdnerd99]

did you get them as ducklings? if so please where did you get them?

 

[bilsie]

I am on VANCOUVER ISLAND and am also interested in a pair or trio of BEI'S. Thanks for any input.

 

[bilsie]

I hope this thread has not died. I have just bought a Trio of Black East Indies - nothing like the colour of "Emerald" in the pictures. I guess I have pet quality not SQ but my first concern was to find some for garden patrol and I was worried I wouldn't find any. So we have them in a temporary shelter and run and hope to start this weekend on a permanent structure. I am wondering how many square feet per bird we need and if it is a good idea to let them have a small secure outdoor space attached that they could be out in even at night or is it O.K. to have them locked up in the building all night. What do people do when they hatch a clutch? If I only want to keep a few birds on a permanent basis how do I accommodate the growing ducklings until I can choose who I would keep? I would like to breed a better flock and have the babies more tame than the adults. Thanks for your help.

 

[robocluck]

I started with Cayugas, but since they can't fly, I switched to East Indies, and have never looked back! I need a duck that can hang out at my pond when they want to, and still get away from coyotes! I can't wait to raise my own newborn Indies -- the ones I bought were clearly puppy mill ducks -- they don't think, they _know_ I'm going to turn them in Peking Duck (one of their sons will be named that, and another, Beijing ). On the other hand, my chickens, whom I raised - both parents from a young age, and kids from shells, come running to me like Velociraptors when I come home .... nothing is more satisfying than having several dozen bipedal pet dinos lunging toward you from a distance . I plan to make a youtube movie this summer, where you see me scream like Home Alone, then run away, and you see my chickens chase after me ...

 

[robocluck]

Where is everyone located? I' near Portland, OR, and I tried to buy East Indies and had only two options -- Corvallis, OR, and the United Kingdom! Corvallis hens are $65, and drakes, $45. Nice and iridescent green. Maybe you need to see if something dietary will help? My chickens get everything under the sun, and the ducks get what they can get to. They LOVE sunflower hearts and dried mealworms.

 

[robocluck]

Are they poddy trained? Or do they wander, then go in the crate to eat and of course 20 min later, they are still in the crate, so no mess?

 

[robocluck]

Can someone post a picture of an East Indie egg?

 

[DoLittleMD]

Here are a couple pictures of their amazing color!!

Your Duck Is Gorgeous! I'm am super envious lol

 

[bilsie]

Robocluck I gather that your BEI's always return home? I have been afraid to let mine out since I bought them in case they just flew off. Does anyone else let theirs fly freely? It would be great to not have to cover the pen and garden.
I have the first tiny egg from the younger of my two females I will try to remember to bring the camera home tomorrow. Mine are just a bit on the grey side with the odd dark speckle.

 

[adventerousone]

I am looking for a couple hens to go with my drake.. so far not having ANY luck Can anyone help?