Although Magpie Ducks are n’t as well known as Khaki Campbell or Runner Ducks , they are one of my must - have breeds for the homestead .
babbler are fantabulous producers of kernel and eggs , as well as being an specially adorable duck’s egg to have around .
About Magpie Ducks
This sweet little breed originates from Yorkshire and was bred to perfection by Oliver Drake and M.C. Gower Williams . Magpies were bred at some gunpoint after the first mankind state of war , possibly from Indian Runner duck , but no one is altogether certain of their exact ancestry .
The first documentation of Magpies occurred in 1920 , with a multiply lodge being formed in 1926 .
In 1963 , a man from Michigan named Isaac Hunter imported thisbreedto the United States . Upon import , hobby breeders worked on hone the stock to be recognized by the American Poultry Association , which take place in 1977 .
After Black Magpies were spot by the American Poultry Association , Blue Magpies followed shortly thereafter .
Magpie Duck Characteristics
1. Size and Weight
Despite being know as a shuttlecock that is suitable for meat yield , magpie are n’t the hefty duck around . According to the American Standard for the breed , Magpie males should press around five pounds with female consider around four Sudanese pound . Although this is the breed ’s standard , there are larger Magpies around , they just are n’t peak show - quality ducks .
2. Temperament
Like any duck , Magpie ducklings have the power to form very strongly on their human caretaker if they do n’t have many duckling siblings or parent duck . How duckling are raised can have a significant impact on their disposition as adults .
Most Magpies are described as fairly tranquil and docile snort with soft temperament . Despite their tranquil deportment , these duck can sometimes be a bit edgy and high strung . When Magpies are startled , they can take flight , but only for short distances because these ducks were n’t breed for flying .
3. Egg Production
Magpies are an prominent breed for egg production , outperforming many chicken breeds out there with their product . If you ’re moot the best duck’s egg breeds foregg product , prater should make it onto your list . In a calendar yr , a exclusive Magpie biddy can lay between 220 and 290 large , white nut .
4. Meat Production
While this is n’t a breed you could count on for the largest yield in condition of centre product , you could expect full timbre meat from Magpies . A individual carcass can well feed between two and three adults . Magpie meat has been praise as epicure quality and easy to cleanly peck from the carcase .
Taking Care of Magpies
1. Feeding and Nutrition
If you ’re raise Magpies from duckling , you ’ll want to be sure to start them out withthe good food . water bird starter crumbles or flock agriculturalist crumbles are the ideal feed for new duckling , but not every feed store carries this feed . The primary difference of opinion between waterfowl starter and chick entrant is the degree of Niacin or B3 in the feed .
acquire ducklings command eminent grade of Niacin than chicks , otherwise , they will grow up with hard vitamin deficiency . It is potential to feed duckling chick starter , but never ever feed them medicated chick starter motor .
When feed chick starter to duckling , mix in brewer ’s yeast at a ratio of 1 tablespoonful to a cup of feed . It ’s important to always keep brewer ’s yeast on hand when evoke duckling just in shell a duckling becomes deficient .
full-grown ducks do good on flock raiser pellets , which will meet all their nutritional motivation for health and egg output . If you are raising your ducks with chickens , duck perform just delicately on set feed meant for chickens .
Always feed your ducks near their water because duck can easy choke if they are unable to eat and drink at the same time .
2. Housing and Fencing
duck’s egg mansion need to be near the ground because ducks can have a hard time navigating ramps for call down coops . Yourduck coopdoes not demand to have roost or nesting loge because ducks favour to do all their business on the ground .
Inside the henhouse , 5 - 6 straight feet per duck is demand for your trivial ducky friends . For the streak , render with 12 - 15 square feet per duck . These amounts are the minimums , animals will always welcome the chance for more place .
3. Health and Care
Magpies are a robust and sturdy duck’s egg as long as they are given the right livelihood conditions that every duck needs to thrive . Make trusted that your duck’s egg chicken coop is cleaned regularly because the additional mess that duck cause can be detrimental totheir healthif it is n’t managed .
duck’s egg always require at least a kiddie kitty to splatter around in to keep their organic structure functioning well , ponds and springsare always welcomed by your web foot friends .
finagle a flock well and meeting their day-by-day needs will go a recollective way in earn sure your flock continue healthy and vigorous . Always keep a secretive eye on your plenty to check that you spot anything amiss before it gets out of deal .
4. Breeding
pack rat are a fun duck to multiply , because who would n’t want more of these lovely fuzzy babies running around ?
When choose your breeding stemma , always select only the good birds for many healthy generation to number . pick out birds with vigor and strength as well as overall flavor will give you the best chance at hatch high - character duckling .
Breed Alternatives
1. Indian Runners
Since it is speculated that Magpies are descendants of Indian Runners , this breed course get a beneficial alternative to Magpies . Indian Runner duck are well recognise for outstanding egg production , bring forth between 300 and 350 eggs in a class . magpie and Indian Runner duck’s egg have similar stances as well as disposition .
Did You Know?
One interesting thing about Magpies is that their coloration patterns stay on the exact same from hatch to adulthood . Many birds lean to interchange a seemly bit when go from downy babe to amply square adult . This is n’t the case with pack rat , as the design you see on their own when they incubate is the pattern in which they will square out .
Magpies were one of my first ever duck’s egg breeds , and they unquestionably make an excellent starter motor breed if you ’re new to the world of duck keeping . For onetime and new duck’s egg keepers likewise , this is an first-class stock for both meat and eggs production . If you should choose to develop Magpies , they should for sure thrive well on your homestead .
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