Ordered our birds!

It is official!  We stopped in at our local feed store and placed our order for our chicks and ducklings.  The chicks were all available sexed... but there is no guarantee of course.  If we end up with a few roos, we may keep one and have the rest for the soup pot.  In the end we decided to go with 12 hens.  They are all brown egg layers but our flock will be somewhat colourfull. We ended up getting 2 of each of the following 6 breeds:  Rhode Island Reds, Barred Plymouth Rocks, Red Sex Link, Black Sex Link, Columbian Rock X and New Hampshire X.  Here is a definition of each breed taken from Freyshatchery.com.
Red Sex Link:
The Red Sex-Link is a top performing brown/red hybrid. Of all our brown egg layers, this is the lightest (about 3½ lbs. at 18 weeks and about 4½ to 5 lbs. after a year of laying), and the best feed converter, meaning it will cost you less to feed. Egg production at 72 weeks can reach 305 to 315 eggs. Recently, Red Sex-Link birds have done well in large free-range trials in the U.K. Females are reddish-brown in colour with white underfeathers. Males are mostly white and some may have a few brown markings on the feathers.

Black Sex Link:

This layer is one of the top egg producers of large brown eggs, and performs well in all types of conditions. The females are jet black with a bit of red tinge on the neck and breast. Female live weight is approximately 4 lbs. at 19 weeks, 5 lbs. at 30 weeks, and 5½+ lbs. at end of lay. Males are a dark barred colour, similar to Barred Rocks, and weigh approximately 1½ lbs. heavier than females. This bird’s black colour tends to absorb light, so we recommend brighter or more intense lighting for top egg production.

New Hampshire X:

This cross produces a very hardy chick, as it springs from two of the oldest common breeds, which nick together exceptionally well. These are unusually quiet birds, and very attractive. Females have a beautiful red comb on a jetblack body laced with brown on the neck and breast. They lay a good-sized brown-shelled egg. Female live weight at maturity is 4+ lbs. and 6 lbs. at end of lay. Males are 11⁄2 lbs. heavier and are dark barred in colour, similar to Barred Rock or Black Sexlink.

Columbian Rock X:

This proven crossbreed has been with us for over 40 years, and today bears the distinction of being one of the hardiest breeds to be found. These birds have a beautiful colour pattern. They are a good producer of quality brown eggs, a very quiet and docile bird in the laying pen, and good for the yard. Heavier than hybrids, live weight will be approximately 4 lbs. at 19 weeks and close to 6 lbs. at end of lay for females. Males are approximately 1½ lbs. heavier. Sexing accuracy guaranteed at 90%.

Barred Plymouth Rock:

This veteran of all the brown egg breeds is still available in quantity. For many years, they were almost extinct, as many poultry growers were carried away with the new crossbreeds. Every superior breed will prove its worth in the end, and these have made a comeback mainly because of their good meat qualities, combined with good brown egg production. People in the fly-tying business say that the Barred Plymouth Rock males carry the best “cape feathers” for that type of use. Both females and males are grey barred in colour, with the female being a bit darker. Females weigh approximately 4 lbs. at 19 weeks and 5-6 lbs. at end of lay. Males are 1-1½ lbs. heavier than females.

Rhode Island Reds:

This popular breed is used in most crossbred varieties available today. Its bloodlines flow in most brown egg breeds throughout the world. It is a good producer of large brown eggs, yet quiet and easy to handle. Both male and female are dark red/brown in colour. Live weights are comparable to other dual purpose breeds.

Our ducklings are not able to be sexed so we took a shot and got 4 of each breed.  Pekin and Rouen were our final breeds of choice.  Here are the descriptions of the ducks:

White Pekin:

This Danish hybrid is considered one of the best in the world. White Pekins have superior feed conversion and very rapid growth. They are ideal for commercial growers who run batches through their barns in 8-week cycles and have a market for uniform-sized young ducklings.  For those customers who prefer Pekin ducks, but do not intend to process them at such a young age, these ducklings will do well when they are fed less grower and allowed to fend for themselves around the barnyard or pond.

Rouen:

These attractive ducks have the same feather colouring as their cousins the Mallards, but are about twice as large and cannot fly, so you need have no fear of losing them. The drakes have green heads and silvery feathers on the breast. The ducks are brown with a fine silver pencilling effect and a blue wing patch.  Along with Pekins, Rouens are good for algae control on the pond. They make excellent ducks for the freezer when fully mature and fattened in the fall. Rouens, however, are not intended for the commercial producer, who should be raising Pekins or Muscovies.

CAN'T WAIT!!!!