I had searched for quite some time to find some large prolific Rouens. I purchased a small group of breeders from Shawn Streeter in Vermont and then added some others from Darrel Sheraw's Hickorynut Farm and again a few more from Lew McGinnis' Superior Farms flock dispersion. I have had great success with them in the showpen, however I am still not pleased with their production. I am hoping to add to the size of the flock, so no birds will be available this year, check back in 2011. Pictured right is my first place Old Drake at the 2010 Northeast Poultry Congress Show. Below a few of my breeder ducks, the one in the show cage was Champion Heavy Duck at the Congress Show.
Aylesbury
I am still working on getting a successful breeding program going with the Aylesburries. I have found a number of issues including leg problems and low fertility with the birds I have been able to purchase. I am currently looking to purchase a few excellent birds to bolster my flock for the 2011 breeding season. I have had good results with the birds I have exhibited, however I have not been able to reproduce them on a consistent basis.
Muscovy
I have always been a fan of Muscovies. There is no question how valuable they can be as incubators and mothers. I have often joked to others that my Muscovy females could hatch a stone. I have often used them to hatch goose eggs and have loaned females to others to hatch turkeys, swans and even peacocks. I really enjoy them as a breed and have had as many as thirteen different colors at one time. Presently, I have Chocolate, Black, Blue, White, Self Blue, Sivler, Lilac, Almond and Dark & Brown Ripple.