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A tufted duckling, just 5 weeks old. We have several ducks carrying the tufted gene. Some are for sale to keep our numbers down. They do not all have tufts, but all carry the gene which can be passed on to future generations. They can be cross bred with other ducks of a medium or medium/large size to give a proportion of ducklings with tufted heads. Tufted ducks each carry a pair of genes - one gene for a tuft, one for no tuft. Each duckling inherits one gene from each of its parent birds - if it inherits one gene for a tuft, then it will have a tuft. If two tufted ducks breed, then it is possible for the ducklings to inherit: 1) two non-tuft genes, 2) one tuft and one no-tuft, or 3) two tufted genes. In theory, 25% of ducklings will be 1) and have no tuft; 50% will be 2) and have a tuft; but sadly 25% will inherit the tuft gene from both parents - a lethal combination. These ducklings will die in their shells. Personally, we choose to cross-breed with non-tufted ducks, so we have less birds with tufts, but cannot have ducklings inheriting the lethal two tuft genes,Tufted Ducklings
A tufted duckling, just 5 weeks old. We have several ducks carrying the tufted gene. Some are for sale to keep our numbers down. They do not all have tufts, but all carry the gene which can be passed on to future generations. They can be cross bred with other ducks of a medium or medium/large size to give a proportion of ducklings with tufted heads. Tufted ducks each carry a pair of genes - one gene for a tuft, one for no tuft. Each duckling inherits one gene from each of its parent birds - if it inherits one gene for a tuft, then it will have a tuft. If two tufted ducks breed, then it is possible for the ducklings to inherit: 1) two non-tuft genes, 2) one tuft and one no-tuft, or 3) two tufted genes. In theory, 25% of ducklings will be 1) and have no tuft; 50% will be 2) and have a tuft; but sadly 25% will inherit the tuft gene from both parents - a lethal combination. These ducklings will die in their shells. Personally, we choose to cross-breed with non-tufted ducks, so we have less birds with tufts, but cannot have ducklings inheriting the lethal two tuft genes,
Egg Laying Season
Our ducks have just begun to lay over the last couple of days - since 9th March, that is.. For them, at least, spring is officially here! Ideally by now the birds should be settled in their breeding groups, and in great condition! Time then, to select suitable breeding pairs. And do be selective! Try to avoid breeding with related birds, or birds that have health problems that might be inherited.
Breeding birds should be brought into the peak of condition before eggs are set for hatching, either under broody ducks or in incubators. This will ensure not only high fertility rates, but also a good hatch rate, and healthy ducklings. Note that, whilst bantam hens have been known to hatch duck eggs, a higher humidity is required to successfully hatch waterfowl eggs. Sitting ducks will leave the eggs to feed and swim, returning to the nest with wet plumage, to sit on cooled eggs. The best form of incubation will always be the one that is nearest to nature! If you do put duck eggs under a hen then consider putting a square of turf under her nest to keep the eggs in higher humidity, or give them a light spray of water when the hen leaves them to eat.
Don't try to hatch the first few eggs that a young duck lays. They will be small, and the resultant ducklings will also be small. Larger eggs will hatch into stronger ducklings.
Breeding birds should be brought into the peak of condition before eggs are set for hatching, either under broody ducks or in incubators. This will ensure not only high fertility rates, but also a good hatch rate, and healthy ducklings. Note that, whilst bantam hens have been known to hatch duck eggs, a higher humidity is required to successfully hatch waterfowl eggs. Sitting ducks will leave the eggs to feed and swim, returning to the nest with wet plumage, to sit on cooled eggs. The best form of incubation will always be the one that is nearest to nature! If you do put duck eggs under a hen then consider putting a square of turf under her nest to keep the eggs in higher humidity, or give them a light spray of water when the hen leaves them to eat.
Don't try to hatch the first few eggs that a young duck lays. They will be small, and the resultant ducklings will also be small. Larger eggs will hatch into stronger ducklings.
Six Ducklings Swimming
Six ducklings swimming - and no prizes for guessing where! A few things to remember: the water might seem cold to you, but warm water can remove some of the natural oil that helps to keep the duckling dry. For the same reason, make absolutely sure that there is no trace of soap or cleanser in the bath. Ducklings will often take to the water as day-olds, but remember that not all breeds are as partial to water as one might expect. Be sure that they can easily leave the water when they want to, and don't leave them unattended without a life guard! Ducklings might love water - but they can still easily drown. If they become cold, their joints and muscles will stiffen just as ours would! These are the BEI and Miniature Appleyards once again.
Day-old Duckling
Like chicks, ducklings have taken in enought protein from the egg yolk to survive without food or water for two or three days, but ducklings will look for, and enjoy, water in their first hours of life. Do be careful that they are not able to over-indulge in this fancy though - they might be water birds, but they can easily drown! This photo is of a Black East Indian duckling.
Our First Ducklings
Pictured above are our first ducklings, hatched in an incubator. The black ones are Black East Indian, and the yellow ones are Miniature Appleyard, which are the bantam version of the once common farmyard favourite, the Appleyard. Notice that they are on a non-slip plastic matting (sold as a non-slip shelf lining), in a glass tank with a heat light. Ducklings don't need to be kept as warm for as long as chicks, but they do need to be on a non-slip mat so that they can walk steadily without slipping in their own spilt or splashed water. Even day old ducklings can spread a little water a very long way... and for as long as they live, doing so will be one of their favourite occupations! The message then is clear. If you don't like mess, then don't buy ducks!
Oh, and by the way, one of these Black East Indian (BEI) ducklings - sorry, not sure which! - is picured 6 months later in the title photograph. The oil in their feathers produces that beautiful petrol green sheen, which is enhanced by sunlight, and is similar to the colour of irridescent green beetles.
Welcome to DIppy Ducks
Hello and a quacking big welcome from all the dippy ducks at Rope Yarn Corner! The quacker at the top of this page is Emerald, a very chatty Black East Indian duck. She is actually jet black, but the oil in her feathers gives her this beautiful petrol green sheen. It also stops her feathers from soaking up the water in the pond and sinking her, of course!
This Blogspot is dedicated to ducks everywhere, and the people that they own. The slave trade is not dead. Everyone who ever thought that they owned a duck knows that... But ducks are not totally selfish creatures - quite - and so they will be sharing this blog with other swimming birds, both domestic and wild.
This Blogspot is dedicated to ducks everywhere, and the people that they own. The slave trade is not dead. Everyone who ever thought that they owned a duck knows that... But ducks are not totally selfish creatures - quite - and so they will be sharing this blog with other swimming birds, both domestic and wild.
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