Magpie ducks are similar in stature to Runner ducks. They have more personality and are quieter than your typical Call ducks usually weighing 4-5lbs full grown. Their coloring is seen on their crowns and backs. Typical colors are Black, Blue and Silver. There is also a Chocolate Magpie which is extremely rare. They have color patterns that are easily spotted in a flock. They are great layers with yearly counts of 200-300 eggs. They're currently on the "critical" list of the American Livestock Breeds Conservatory.
For a more in depth look at the Magpie duck follow this link: http://albc-usa.org/cpl/waterfowl/magpie.html.
After looking at Magpie ducklings for a while I decided I'd prefer to hatch out my own. So I started looking up Magpie breeders that would sell me some fertilized eggs. The search wasn't going very well so I put that idea on the back burner.
Out of the blue I got an email from a Magpie breeder, Francie Beckett. She had extra fertilized Magpie eggs and was curious if I'd be interested in hatching them out. Umm, YEAH!! So I scrambled quick and set up area for the incubator next to my chick brooder.
I've been tracking the eggs transit and they are scheduled to arrive tomorrow May 24th 2012. I've got my fingers crossed that for once USPS has decided to handle my package with care. Francie just emailed me and let me know that there are 14 fertilized eggs in the package!! We're sure to have a few hatch :)
I've created this blog to share this priceless experience with everybody. Hatching & raising a clutch of duck eggs has always been a dream of mine and I'm VERY excited to be given the opportunity. A huge thank you goes out to Francie Beckett of Ohio for giving me this opportunity!
The excitement is building by the hour!! I can't wait!!
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