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We normally do not offer waterfowl eggs nor exotic babies, to the general public, as they are a CHALLENGE to hatch & raise, even to experienced breeders under the BEST circumstances. We DO NOT RECOMMEND them to beginners.
We are not willing to risk our farm's reputation over hatching eggs nor hatchlings. There are simply TOO MANY variables involved in hatching eggs/rearing babies that the breeder CAN NOT control and we WILL NOT be responsible for, I.E.: the handling of shipped eggs, incubator problems, human error & etc.
Plus they would seem to be expensive since eggs would be worth 1/4 the price of young adult birds, hatchlings 1/2 price of young adults. Exotic waterfowl are limited in their egg supply & each egg is precious since it would represent a possible offspring from the breeding program. These are a few reasons why breeders do not like to offer hatching eggs/hatchlings.
In our opinion the BEST, and least expensive, way to "get into waterfowl" is to purchase quality, unrelated, young adults. Egg hatching/rearing would be best suited for someone wanting the thrill & challenge of successfully hatching/rearing waterfowl, since it's DIFFICULT and usually DOES NOT yeild high results.
Not to mention the fact, that if they are successfully hatched it's just the first step. Then one has to rear them to fledgling age. That's a whole other CHALLENGE in itself and quite an accomplishment if acheived. They are not as "easy" to raise as mallards are, nor do they handle stress as well, in our opinion. We ARE NOT TRYING TO DISCOURAGE anyone, we just want them to be INFORMED so they can avoid disappointment and heartache...or at least try to be prepared for it. We have one's best interests at heart.
If one was sure they were willing to ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY and understood the RISKS of hatching eggs and trying to successfully rear hatchlings, we would consider providing them with the eggs or hatchlings. As long as it's CLEARLY understood we WILL NOT GUARANTEE eggs nor chicks as they are beyond our control & we do not want hard feeling or ill will among parties.
DOGWOOD ACRES WATERFOWL Copyright 1988-2006
