Larkwell Valley (2023)

[Canadian Wind]

Honestly, I'm not breeding to the standard. I'm only keeping one female, but if I had a pair that was marked really well, those were going to be the pair I sold.

In that case, the one with less black is 'better'.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

In that case, the one with less black is 'better'.

Okay. That will be the one I sell then. I'm only keeping one for my mixed flock, so the markings really don't matter for me

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Here's my opinion on drake to hen ratio.
I would aim for no less than 3:1 but the dynamics of your flock are really the deciding factor. I currently have 8:1 in my cayuga flock. The females play hop on top with each other almost more than the drake does.
The call ducks tend to be more prone to pairing up and I can get away with having more drakes. The problem i have with them is it seems like no matter what the ratio they will inevitably single out one female to run to the ground and I end up having to put all the drakes in drake jail for a month or so to kind of hit the reset button. It's quite annoying.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Here's my opinion on drake to hen ratio.
I would aim for no less than 3:1 but the dynamics of your flock are really the deciding factor. I currently have 8:1 in my cayuga flock. The females play hop on top with each other almost more than the drake does.
The call ducks tend to be more prone to pairing up and I can get away with having more drakes. The problem i have with them is it seems like no matter what the ratio they will inevitably single out one female to run to the ground and I end up having to put all the drakes in drake jail for a month or so to kind of hit the reset button. It's quite annoying.

Okay, so I should definitely have somewhere I can put drakes for a time out.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'm relieved to hear that a 2:1 for calls isn't going to certainly end in disaster. I'd still prefer more like a 4:1, but unless my two I just ordered are both hens, that isn’t going to happen this year.

Taking photos of the male's today so I can post an ad. I decided to go a different direction with the runners, so I have some new male's coming my way.

On the list to sell are
1 magpie pair
1 black runner drake
2 fawn and white runner hens
2 pastel call drakes (I'm going to try and sell them as a pair since I doubt anyone here has calls and I'd be nervous about them being all alone as such a small duck in a flock)
1 blue Swedish hen

I'll have more as birds grow, but for now I know these ones aren't staying.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Did you also put this on your state forum?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Did you also put this on your state forum?

No, my state thread is dead unfortunately.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I'm relieved to hear that a 2:1 for calls isn't going to certainly end in disaster. I'd still prefer more like a 4:1, but unless my two I just ordered are both hens, that isn’t going to happen this year.

Taking photos of the male's today so I can post an ad. I decided to go a different direction with the runners, so I have some new male's coming my way.

On the list to sell are
1 magpie pair
1 black runner drake
2 fawn and white runner hens
2 pastel call drakes (I'm going to try and sell them as a pair since I doubt anyone here has calls and I'd be nervous about them being all alone as such a small duck in a flock)
1 blue Swedish hen

I'll have more as birds grow, but for now I know these ones aren't staying.

My first calls were a pair and they did fine for all the years it was just the two of them. It just really depends on your drake. I had one i offed this spring because despite having plenty females he was just too rough. Ran one girl nearly to death every year.

No matter what your ratio it's best to have a plan for drake jail certain times of the year if nessessary.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Starting to think my 2nd call girl is just a late blooming male again

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Candled the shipped eggs. I'm seeing a few signs of life, but I have about another week before I have to let the hatchery know if I'm not at 80% fertility