Heirloom Seeds & Poultry
1878 230th Street, Calamus, IA 52729
(563) 246-2299
Ducks
2023 Hatch Weeks: April 4, 18; May 2, 16,30; June 13,27 ; July 11, 25; August 8, 22; (Assortments only in September) September 5, 19. No ducks in October.
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PLEASE GO TO THE POULTRY HOME PAGE OR THE WEBSITE HOMEPAGE FOR THE ORDER BLANK.
Most duck breeds lay very well, but once hot weather sets in fertility drops considerably. Amounts of a breed available after mid-June will be dependent upon fertility. We want to educate people on the advantages of waterfowl from the health, production and gardener’s point of view. Please consider some ducks as a part of your farm flock this year. Ducks are hardy. Many breeds lay very well. They handle disease, pests and stress so well. I’ve been quoted as saying they are the slobs of the poultry world chiefly because they can be messy. They do, however, enjoy life and are a delight to have on the farm from day one. They are superb grass and insect control in an orchard! My first poultry way back in 1969 was 4 ducklings that were dear pets and were destroyed one night by a weasel when they were about 8 weeks old. As we were adding fresh dry straw to their pens this winter after cleaning them out, they all ran in and made the "happy duck" noise enjoying the new bedding and clean place to sleep. Anyone can get hours of enjoyment and relaxation from raising ducks. They are the easiest poultry to raise.
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gdrowns6@gmail.com will get fastest response for inquiries on orders and availability. It is on my phone and I can use voice to text and answer much easier.
July 26, 2023
We are no longer accepting poultry orders for 2023 delivery. You may order now under the conditions we state on the website to get in line for 2024. If you order now for 2024 you will get a 2023 order number and confirmation and then you will get a new number in December when we set up for 2024 with a projected ship date. I cannot emphasize enough that you take the time to read our policies on early orders and and ordering with no substitution. We are sticking to those. We are not set up as a business to hatch a multitude of chicks at a hatch and destroy the excess. We are set up as a breed preservation facility and do not keep breeds based on rate of sales and or other money making factors. If you are impatient and need something now then we are not the place to order from. If you want rare breeds that have been carefully selected for hardiness and stamina ( we have no heated or climate controlled facilities and do not vaccinate for anything) then we are your source. We had a bad problem with Buffalo Gnats this year from mid May until the end of June that nearly destroyed some breeds and seriously impacted the lay rate and fertility of others. Some breeds we lost a number of breeders and in other’s they quit laying or breeding. Things are picking up somewhat now but it is usual for this time of the year for rate of lay and fertility to steadily decline. We have also had some serious postal issues and replacement shipments have put us way behind.
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We were forced to raise prices as feed went up over 25% in 2022, postage went up about 20%, our chick boxes about 20% and electricity to run the incubators about 15%. We have tired to keep assortments still reasonable enough anyone can still get ducks, and raised specific breeds.
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ASSORTED DUCKLINGS: Ducklings $4.00 each (30 maximum per hatch) This can be any breed from the entire list. We will include several types. It will not be only one kind. Please watch the News and Updates page for occasional specials when hatches are great.
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ASSORTED FANCY DUCKLINGS: Ducklings $6.00 each (15 maximum per hatch) An assortment of rarer colors and types. Can be any breed except no Pekins or Khaki Campbells.
ASSORTED EGG TYPE DUCKLINGS Ducklings $5.00 each (30 maximum per hatch). Assortment will be made up from Khaki Campbell, Dark Campbell, White Campbell, Golden Buff Cascades and Welsh Harlequin but may also include Runners if available.
ASSORTED MEAT-TYPE DUCKLINGS: Ducklings $5.50 each (30 maximum per hatch) Please understand that this grouping was established by us. Each of these breeds can have multiple purposes, but we have classified them here.
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ASSORTED RUNNER DUCKLINGS- Ducklings $6.00 each (15 maximum per hatch) Can be any of the breeds we offer. SOLD OUT THROUGH JULY 25
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SUPER ASSORTED DUCKLINGS- 15 FOR $45.00 ; 30 FOR $85.00 ( 60 FOR $150.00 when available)
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Egg-Type Ducks
Dark Campbell
Dark Campbell- Drakes have green heads with brownish grey bodies. Hens are dark cocoa brown with thin khaki penciling and are excellent layers starting at an early age. The ducklings are a black in color and closely resemble Cayuga ducklings. We have maintained this breed since 1990. They are rare and are much deserving of a better distribution. Ducklings $8.00 each (20 maximum per hatch) SOLD OUT THROUGH JUNE 27
Golden Buff Cascade
Golden Buff Cascade- Drakes have greenish bronze heads with white neck collars, red chestnut breasts, creamy buff undersides. Hens are a buff color. Live weight is between 6 and 7 pounds. These were introduced in 1984 by Holderread’s Waterfowl. Our strain obtained in 1991 is not like what Holderread’s is selling today. We have maintained ours as they originally came to us 20+ years ago. They are top notch layers and are deserving of greater world numbers. Over the past several years they have laid almost 100% from early January through August, have taken a couple of weeks off, and then returned to heavy production through the end of the season. Young that are hatched in April will frequently start to lay by Fall. We have maintained this breed since 1991. Ducklings $8.00 each (15 maximum per hatch) SOLD OUT FOR 2023
Khaki Campbell
Khaki Campbell- Small size, efficient on feed for the eggs produced. Drakes resemble a mallard drake only dark brown. Hens are a seal brown color. They are nervous and like to get up and move around and are easily spooked by things. They love to get out and move around an area. We have maintained these since 1991 constantly selecting for productivity. Ducklings $6.00 each (15 maximum per hatch)SOLD OUT FOR 2023
Welsh Harlequin
Welsh Harlequin- Males have a greenish head, reddish breast, soft buffy fawn with eyes of darker color on the feathers. Hens lack the green head and red breast. Good layers of white eggs and average 3 to 3.5 pound dressed weight. These were developed in 1949 in Wales from a Khaki Campbell color mutation. They are slightly larger than Khaki Campbells. They do have two color phases (gold and silver). We do keep both phases together. The chief difference in the colors is in the hens where the gold phase is light brown in color and the silver is a light silver-gray. The carcass of butchered specimens is excellent for lower fat and high flavor. We have maintained these since 1989. They are much calmer than Khaki Campbells but do not lay as well. Ducklings $8.00 each (15 maximum per hatch) SOLD OUT THROUGH JUNE 27
White Campbell
White Campbell- Pure white version of the Khaki. Good layers. Bills can be either pink or yellow in color. Once into heavy production, darkening of the bills can occur. We first obtained these in 2000 and struggled over the years to get a decent hatch rate. Years and years of selection and breeding and we now have a good sized flock that seems to have some vigor. For those who want a smaller white duck this is it. They are less nervous than their Khaki relatives. Ducklings $8.00 each (15 maximum per hatch)SOLD OUT THROUGH JUNE 27
Runners
ASSORTED RUNNER DUCKLINGS: Ducklings $6.00 each (15 maximum per hatch) This assortment can be from any of the Runner-type ducks we offer. SOLD OUT THROUGH JULY 25
Fawn and White Runner
Fawn and White Runner - Fawn cap and cheek patches, patches of white alternating with patches of fawn and a distinct white belly. Continuous selection must be made for the proper body length. They are active and anxious and always ready to move. We have maintained this breed since 2002 .Ducklings $8.00 each (5 maximum per hatch) SOLD OUT FOR 2023
Grey Runner (Mallard Runner)
Grey Runner (Mallard Runner) - Typical mallard duck color pattern with a runner body. Males have an emerald green head, white neck ring that does not close at reddish brown breast and a steel grey underbody. We do see variations in the females from light versions to darker versions. We have maintained this breed since 1996. Ducklings $10.00 each (5 maximum per hatch)SOLD OUT THROUGH JUNE 27
Meat-Type Ducks
Ancona
Ancona- A very colorful, spotted or pied colored duck. This is the breed for the individual that wants just one breed but cannot decide upon a color. They are good layers and a good meat bird. They range in color from blue or black to a pied and chocolate color. Sold as mixed colors only. The ducklings are darling with their unique color patterns. Most of ours will be black spotted, with some blue and an occasional chocolate. We first obtained these in 1997 and struggled with the chocolate colored variety being vigorous but have finally conquered that Ducklings $8.00 each (20 maximum per hatch)SOLD OUT THROUGH JUNE 27
Black Cayuga
Black Cayuga- Pure black with a greenish purple cast in the sunlight. First eggs of the season are a purple black in color. They are good layers and excellent for meat. They are an old breed and have excellent flesh quality. Ducklings are a nice dark black color. We constantly select for the dark colored eggs and colorful feather color. We have maintained this variety since 1989. Ducklings $8.00 each (15 maximum per hatch) SOLD OUT THROUGH JULY 11
Blue Magpie
Blue Magpie- similar to the black except the color. Also remember that with blue color you will get some "silver" or splash like offspring. These will almost look a off white in color with no distinct cap. We have maintained this breed since 1993. Ducklings $8.00 each ( maximum of 10 per hatch)SOLD OUT THROUGH JULY 11
Blue Cayuga
Blue Cayuga- Large size, deep blue color, truly striking in appearance. They are a beautiful sight as a group on a fresh cover of snow. Remember with all blue fowl some non-blue offspring occur. The 25% that are a silver color from this mating are also rather attractive in appearance. Select away from the ones which occasionally show white in the body. As they age just like people get white hair they get white in their feathers. I have had some 8-10 year old hens that turn almost pure white. We have maintained this breed since 1991. Ducklings $8.00 each (maximum 10 per hatch) SOLD OUT THROUGH JULY 11
Blue Swedish
Blue Swedish- A good egg laying and dual purpose breed with blue feathers and a white bib. Remember that you can get a Splash called Silver and a Black from a Blue to Blue mating. They are a nice colorful and easy to manage breed. Originally they were developed for egg production and dual purpose as a meat bird. We have maintained this breed since 1993. Ducklings $8.00 each (maximum of 10 per hatch) SOLD OUT THROUGH JUNE 27
Buff
Buff- Soft buff color, gentle, a good source of pets for children, also for eggs and meat. They are an easy breed to dress and are nice and plump. They are one of gentlest of the breeds we have and are very people adaptable. We have maintained this breed since 1990. Ducklings $8.00 each (maximum of 10 per hatch) SOLD OUT THROUGH JUNE 27
Chocolate Cayuga
Chocolate Cayuga - After years of selection and breeding we have produced a chocolate colored, full sized duck. Mild mannered and Cayuga in type and size. Still have a few quirks, but hopefully, they will be consistent. Ducklings are deep chocolate in color. Ducklings $8.00 (maximum of 5 per hatch) SOLD OUT THROUGH JUNE 27
Pekin
Pekin- Large, white feathered with bright orange bills. Ducklings are a bright yellow.These will get good sized for butchering and are good producers of eggs as well. They are however large and voracious eaters. We select for large size and rapid growth. We have maintained this breed since 1992. Ducklings $6.00 each (Maximum of 15 per hatch)
Saxony
Saxony- German breed, 4 to 6 lbs (dressed weight). Drakes are a buffy color with a blue grey head, back and wings and a chestnut burgundy breast. Hens are buff colored with white facial stripes. These are large and personable ducks that are easy to be around and care for, they tend to run toward you rather than away. They tend to lay rather large eggs that sometimes do not hatch as well. We have maintained this breed since 1993. Ducklings $10.00 each (Maximum of 10 per hatch) SOLD OUT FOR 2023
Silver Appleyard
Silver Appleyard- Drakes are like a Welsh Harlequin in color, but much larger in size. Hens are a mottled tannish color. First imported from Britain to the U.S. in 1982. A great deal of variability exists in the coloring of the hens. While we find these ducks to be very attractive we constantly struggle with getting them to hatch at a decent rate despite the fact they lay quite well. Ducklings are a distinct color with black on the head and tail. We have maintained this breed since 1993. Ducklings $10.00 each (maximum of 10 per hatch) SOLD OUT THROUGH JULY 11
Ornamental Ducks
Chocolate East Indies
Chocolate East Indies- Way back in 1990 a well known poultry family had a trio of these at the Ohio National Show. I looked and looked at them for 2 days and finally succumbed to purchasing them. Fascinated with the color chocolate and the inability to resist temptation I brought them home. I never really did much with them for years increasing numbers here and there as they are not a recognized breed but their compact body size and ability to handle all kinds of situations I finally decided to share a few with others. They are about one third larger than Black East Indies. Ducklings $10.00 each ( maximum of 5 per hatch)
Black East Indies
Black East Indies- Judging 4-H poultry contests you sometimes run into some outstanding specimens. The Ridenour family showed these for several years at a fair I judged and I was always impressed. They decided to sell them this year and I couldn't resist. Ducklings $10.00 each ( maximum 5 per hatch)SOLD OUT FOR 2023
Shetland
Shetland- I have long been fascinated with Scottish things and was provided by a dear friend with the opportunity to add these to my collection. They are calm and thrifty and a medium sized duck closely resembling a small Black Swedish. Ducklings $12.00 each ( Maximum of 5 per hatch) SOLD OUT FOR 2023