Loving the ducks, and ready for the Freedom Ranger meat birds to go to freezer camp! The laying hens and roosters are doing well, just didn't want to make this video too long. : )
The two colors I know are pied, and slate. The other two hens, are a mixed color. And Yes I agree that there is a Drake and three drams. Thanks for the updates.
My hubby made the best watering tube for our meat birds. He used pvc pipe, right along the edge of tractor, and put those water nipples along it. It held 2 1/2 gallons, and we did have to fill it a couple times a day, but the water stayed clean and they didn't spill it. When it comes to ducks, we have never had success. Too many predators for free range.
Good morning. I am new to your channel. Happy to see horses, chickens, ducks! We raise grass fed beef in Central New Hampshire, plus commercial hay and logging. A 4th generation family farm. Your Freedom Rangers look good. I raised CC, but needed to put them in the freezer before they got too large. Would prefer a nice five pound roaster. I also raised American Standard Toulouse geese, White Indian Runners and white Call Ducks. I never tried crossing colors on my waterfouwl. The Pekins ate more grain than my horses! Had heavy weight hunters. Percheron/Thoro cross. I look forward to following your chanel. ~ Diane
They look excellent!! Hardly even waddle. I might have to add the rangers to my list. I guess I forgot you had muscovies. You’re gonna have an explosion of ducklings in the spring, yep. I think the most we had from a single scovy hen was 24. Hey- here’s a tip. You said they don’t make a mess like other mallard based ducks. They are extremely different and are more chicken like when you’re raising a big brood of ducklings. They are more likely to peck at eachother than mallard based ducklings. So just watch out for that.
Michigansnowpony Lol just heads up! We actually never ate the eggs, but good thinking. We just sold some as ducklings and then butchered some out. I like to think of them as the game chickens of the duck world. Not huge producers of eggs, but will readily go broody and raise at least a couple clutches a year if allowed to
That chicken tractor appeared to be way too small for the number of birds that you have. If you use the eggs for baking, and send some to ‘freezer camp’ you will not get too many ducks. And, you could always sell ducklings at Easter time. I really want ducks but there are so many predators that I do not think I can keep them safe.
Yes, my tractor is crammed with 23 birds in it, but I do move it everyday and they only have a week more to go. I don't think I'll try to raise this many birds at a time again. My friend was just looking for someone to take half of a 50 bird order, so, I said okay. (Somehow, I ended up with 24 rather than 25, but that was okay.) I have one bird separated that is "gimpy" and picked on by the others. So, he's living in the manure spreader until freezer day.
I'm afraid I'm not real good with my colors. Yes, you will have a TON of babies, unless you start having duck eggs for breakfast. 😜 If I were to raise meat birds I think it would be the freedom rangers because they don't have as short "an experation date" on them as the CC's do. I did catch a rooster last night that is destined for freezer camp. I don't keep mean roosters.
I don't call them "mean" roosters. I just call them roosters. It's who they are and how God made 'em to be. That said, these two Bielefelder roosters are the most docile (yet still protective of their hens) guys I've ever had. And they get along with each other very well too! If you want a "nice" rooster, you may want to consider getting one of those, as I've heard and read this is a common trait in the breed.
@@Michigansnowpony Maybe I should rephrase that and say "aggressive" roosters. I have some very nice roosters that fit in with my breeding program. But I have 2 barnyard mutt roosters (was hoping they were hens when they were chicks) that are too aggressive and have even drawn blood. The one thinks he's a duck and is constantly going after the muscovy hens. Nope, they have to go.
