This morning I got a call from the post office saying my baby ducks had arrived. Needless to say I was soon on the road to pick them up.
I had ordered 10 females of mixed varieties, quite unsure of what I'd be getting or if there'd be anything to clue me in. The farm did enclose a page stating in 1 or 2 letter code the ducklings shipped.
I've now, I believe, 2 Blue Swedish, 2 Khaki Campbell, 5 Pekin and 2 more Rouen. Yes, I am aware that equals 11 and not 10 as ordered but the good folks at the hatchery added one extra at no charge.
Most are considered calm breeds save the Khaki which are a nervous breed. The least prolific layers are the Swedish at a mere 120 -180 eggs per year and the highest producers are the KC at 165 - 210. All are higher than my last remaining Fawn & White Runner at only 100 - 180 but she's still "Quack Daddy's Little Girl"!
At any rate, should half of my new hens survive to egg laying age I can reasonably expect some over 700 eggs per year. Plenty for me to eat fresh, pickle and sell some.
I do love pickled eggs even though they do make me gassy sometimes. I was channel surfing the other week and the Food Network had a show about pickling. So I got me a gallon of distilled white vinegar, one of apple cider vinegar, and am gonna try to pickle some eggs. My ducks lay an average of 1 or 2 a day so I'll try different recipes a quart at a time. First will be AC vinegar with crushed red pepper, whole black peppercorns and smashed garlic. I do love the spice! My second will be the same only with white vinegar.
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