Golden 300 Hybrid ducks |
White Layer ducks |
We crossed different breeds of ducks together to make the Golden 300,
the breeds of which are a secret! Since the Golden 300 and White
Layer are composed of different breeds, they have quite a bit of
hybrid vigor and typically have less mortality and live longer than
most other breeds. Their eggs are not as large as a Pekin but they
produce many more and … produce much less manure!
Male Golden 300 Hybrid ducklings |
As ducklings, the sex of the Golden 300 can be determined by their
down color. Female ducklings are shades of brown including light brown, chocolate brown, and combinations of brown and yellow, while males are shades of black ranging from stark black to different patterns of black and yellow. As adults, the female can range in color from a
light brown to a dark brown with patches of white. Adult males have
a much darker plumage ranging in color from all black to black with a
white chest to almost a male Rouen appearance. The White Layer, on
the other hand, has to be vent sexed as both male and female are
yellow as ducklings and white as adults.
If you produce babies from our Golden 300 they will not retain these
characteristics of females being brown and males being black. You
will hatch all colors, including white, with no relationship between
the color and the sex. The White Layer, however, breeds true, meaning
the White Layers will produce more white ducks.
Typically they also have great temperaments making them good as pets.
We have had some customers, however, that tell us their White Layers
and Golden 300 are very nervous and we have had other customers tell
us their birds are calm. This is puzzling to us as the genetics does
not change. So what causes this wide swings in temperament?
Female Golden 300 Hybrid ducklings |
Can we tell you when that susceptible period is? No. Can we tell
you when that period ends? No. All we can say is to allow them to
have plenty of room to move away from you in their pen (if they are
running or flapping you are moving too close or too fast), warn them
you are coming (rattle your keys, whistle, sing, knock on the door or
simply talk to them as you approach) and do not overcrowd them. You
can always give your birds treats from the very beginning but you
cannot count on the treats to totally overcome a traumatic event that
makes them overly nervous.
People ask how much egg production will drop in the second generation
if our Golden 300 or White Layers are used as breeders. We do not
know for sure but our guess is the progeny will lay 5-8% fewer eggs
than the birds you purchased from us. We are also asked how much
production drops in their second and third years of production. The
rule of thumb is a drop of about 8-10% per year.
You cannot find a better egg laying duck than the Golden 300 or White
Layer. Whether you just want a few ducks for your own family’s
needs or you want a commercial flock to sell eggs to farmers markets,
bakeries and restaurants, the Golden 300 and White Layer are the
ducks for you.
Breed |
Temperament
|
Weight
|
Egg Production
|
Mothering
|
Bluish Eggs
|
Egg Size
|
Golden 300 Hybrid
|
Calm
|
4.5-5.75 pounds
|
200-290/year
|
Fair
|
5%
|
75-90 grams
|
Fertility
|
APA Class
|
Foraging Ability
|
Conservation Status
|
Our Show Quality
|
Flying Ability
|
Origin
|
93%
|
NA
|
Good
|
No Rank
|
Not Shown
|
None
|
Metzer Farms
|
Breed |
Temperament
|
Weight
|
Egg Production
|
Mothering
|
Bluish Eggs
|
Egg Size
|
White Layer
|
Calm
|
4.5-5.75pounds
|
200-290/year
|
Fair
|
1-2%
|
75-90 grams
|
Fertility
|
APA Class
|
Foraging Ability
|
Conservation Status
|
Our Show Quality
|
Flying Ability
|
Origin
|
93%
|
NA
|
Good
|
No Rank
|
Not for Exhibition
|
None
|
Metzer Farms
|