Our New Boy is Home - Silver Appleyard Drake

[3bird]

As some of you read here, we lost our silver appleyard boy Angus a couple weeks ago (best guess based on exam, bloodwork and x-rays suggests testicular cancer). Angus, who was seven years old, was our only drake, which put a wrench in our plans to trade fertilized eggs with another local silver appleyard breeder this spring. When I reached out to tell the breeder what had happened, she offered us one of her drakes, who was hatched last July (2024). After lots of discussion, we decided to move forward.

Today, we went and picked up our new boy. The breeder has a great set-up, and we had a fantastic conversation about the breed and all things poultry. Then it was time for the hour-long drive home.

Our new boy was super chill for the ride home, and once back on the farm, we got him situated in his temporary quarters, where we can keep an eye on him before introducing him to the flock. I thought I'd share a few pictures. He is, as of yet, unnamed, but I'm quite certain he will reveal his name to us soon!

 

[3bird]

A handsome boy indeed!

We expect he will fill out and get some bulk. We're watching a few spots of concern on his left foot. This morning he had a bath and seemed to really enjoy that (duh).

He's been preening aggressively ever since. It's hard QTing a single duck, but he does seem quite curious and somewhat social, so we're hanging out planting seedlings while he watches on.

 

[3bird]

Day three of his QT, and our new silver appleyard drake still has no name (he'll tell us soon, I'm sure). We were pretty concerned about QTing a lone duck, but this guy is doing great. He's in the room where we plant our seedlings, and so we're with him quite a bit. Yesterday, my wife was planting and not paying attention to him, and he came over and gave her a little nibble on the ankle.

He had his second bath today, and that was big hit! This was an exciting bath, as we filled the tub enough so his feet didn't touch. Oh my! None of us were dry by the end. ;-)

We've seen no signs of anything about which to be concerned besides some bumps on the bottom of his left foot (we may begin epsom salt baths). He's eating well (transitioned over to Mazuri, which is what we feed our flock) and pooping well. He has yet to discover the wonders of Grubblies, but all good things in their own time.

We are waiting to hear back from our vet about a baseline check-up, and then we'll decide next steps.

Stay tuned...

 

[3bird]

We have a name, people! I introduce you to Bill, here taking his morning bath while in QT.

The name Bill may seem simple, but it actually alludes to the fact that he is part of an experiment to breed for bill coloration as a way of sexing ducklings in the first few days.

...and it suits him!

He still is doing well in QT with no major issues. He will be seeing our vet next Thursday. In the meantime, he's just helping us plant our seedlings.

 

[Jenbirdee]

Hi Bill!
Congratulations He’s a looker for sure!

 

[3bird]

QT continues for Bill. I told my dad we had named him Bill, and my dad was appalled. He said Bill was such a basic, plain name, and Bill is so regal. He has since said that he will only refer to him as Sir William, and he wants us to make him a crown that he can wear (my dad breeds cows and is a cutter, so it's funny to hear him get so involved with our ducks). Anyway, here is a picture of Bill today after his bath.

He continues to be a huge help planting seedlings. Today is actually sunny here and may get up to the upper 40s, so I'm going to go make sure his portion of the duckhouse is up to his standards (or my father's). The duckhouse annex is designed for any duck that needs to be separated while remaining with the flock, and that is where Bill will begin his look-but-don't-touch experience with our girls.

Soon, Bill, very soon...

 

[3bird]

Today marks day six of Sir William's QT, and we couldn't be more pleased. We were quite concerned about QTing a single drake, but he has done a great job. We do make an effort to be around him as much as possible. It helps that it's seedling season here at Three Bird Farm, and Bill is QTing in the same room where we start all our seedlings, so we're in there for a good chunk of each day. Bill gets really excited when we open the grow tent each morning!

Yesterday, he started taking naps while we were working, which we took as a very good sign (i.e., he feels relaxed and safe).

Last night we finished outside chores a little late, and after getting the fire started inside, my wife went to hang out with Bill for a bit before closing him in for the night. Because it was late, I served her her cocktail while she was with Bill, and it only seemed fair that Bill have his own...

Oh my. We are *those* people. lol Anyway, Bill is a champ, and we can't wait to introduce him to the flock!

 

[3bird]

Day 7 of Sir William's QT! Today's bath was full of firsts. First, as soon as we let him out he went straight to the bathroom on his own (through a door, down a hall, through another door, pass by the kitchen, and into the bathroom...lol). Then he waited to be picked up and put in the tub. Then he did some underwater "swimming" (we were all soaked), and then he ate Grubblies out of our hands for the first time! Maybe it's the evening cocktail?

Anyway, Bill continues to rock our world. He sees our vet Thursday, and then we'll make a decision on the rest of his QT.

 

[3bird]

A week ago today we brought Sir William home. We are so pleased with this handsome boy. He's settled right into the routine around here--from baths to naps to cocktails, he takes it all in stride. We can't wait to introduce him to the girls.

As I'm sure you all know, QTing a duck takes a lot of work. For example, we have shoes that we only wear around Bill and boots we only wear around the flock so as not to move any fecal matter between the two. We do a lot of laundry, and we go through a lot of puppy pads, but it's so worth it....and Bill has made it is with his laid back, social demeanor. We see the vet on Thursday, and we'll make a decision at that time how to proceed.

 

[3bird]

Great News! Day 10 of Sir William's QT, and we just got home from the vet (we have the most amazing avian vet, and her office is less than five minutes from our house....how lucky are we?!).

The bottom line is that Bill is great! His heart sounded great, his breathing is "boring" (Yay!), and he's overall a healthy young man. The only concerns remain his feet, but they appear to be calloused over with no ongoing infection or other issue. We'll continue to keep him on good bedding and watch them.

He's a small drake at ~4lbs 6oz, but he's going to fill out still--he's not even a year old.

After consulting with our vet, we feel ready to move to the see-but-no-touch phase. Unfortunately, we've got some weather coming in with temps back in the 20s and several inches of snow. Given that he's been inside in a room that's mid-50s for 10 days, we'll probably hold off introducing him to the flock for a few more days. If we wasn't so social and doing well inside, we'd be pushing a little harder, but we're not really feeling a big rush at this point.

...plus, he won't get a daily bath and cocktail outside! ;-)