(Continued from Pag* B 2)
and takes care of the dressing and
marketing of the ducklings. The
company also has a dude veterina
rian who checks on the flocks per
iodically. Payment is based on
price per pound, and paid every
two weeks.
Although chickens and ducks
are both birds, the Hollingers said,
“Ducks are natured completely
different than chickens.”
When the Hollingers list the
comparison, ducks come out on
top every time.
They find the ducklings humor
ous to watch. Ducks can’t fly over
barriers. They have no problem
with pesty flies. And, ducks are
disease resistent.
“Ducks are super. They aren’t
time consuming to care for; they’re
docile, you don’t need to vacci
nate, and you can mix ages,” Luke
said.
Ducks do need to be debeaked.
Debeaking is done at four weeks of
age. It takes about two and a half
hours to debeak 3,000 chickens.
Elmeta, who works for a dry
cleaning business, helps with, the
debeaking, moving, and loading of
the ducklings.
“It takes about six hours to load
and debeak a batch.” Elmeta said.
“We start at 3 a.m. and are finished
by 9 a.m.
When the Hqilingers made the
transition from chickens to ducks,
they removed the cages used for
the layers. They installed a vinyl
coated wire floor on top of pres
sure treated 2x4s.
Previously some duck growers
used litter instead of wire on the
floor. But litter is prone to prob
lems and is a breeding ground for
bacteria and mold.
“Ducks are very sensitive to
mold,” said Luke, who keeps a
sharp lookout for mold in feed and
for any that might break off the
housing environment.
Buyers want nice clean birds
because the feathers are sold for
use in down pillows and
comforters.
“Wire works best for wet drop
pings. Those who use litter can’t
produce a clean bird,” Luke said.
The chicken houses were divided
into four sections. Two sections
are uses as starting pens for the
ducklings, which are delivered the
day they are hatched. Two weeks
later, the ducklings are walked into
the next section called the growing
Feeders and water troughs daaignad for ducks ara not availabla for purchase. Luka,
usad polyvinylchloride (PVC) pips and used plastic 20-gaHon drums to construct
feeders andjwatarars.
Where Ducks Are Just Like Kids
pen. After two weeks, they are
walked into the finisher pen.
Moving the ducklings from one
section to another is easy because
the sections are on the same floor
and are divided with plywood and
a door. When it is time to move a
flock, the door is opened. Elmeta
slowly walks behind the ducks that
move as one mass to the opened
door.
“We must move slowly because
ducks can’t move fast.” she said.
If moved too quickly, ducks
may suffer heart attacks because
they are not accustomed to exer
cise although they do have a large
open room in which'to move.
Ducks drink lots of water. An
ozone system is used for water pur
ification. Feeders and water
troughs designed for ducks are not
available for purchase. Luke, who
prides himself in constructing
whatever is needed, designed
waterers from polyvinylchloride
(PVC) pipe and feeders from used
plastic 20-gallon (bums. ' "
“I like to take stuff that people
discard and resurrect it,”- Lloyd
said. He’s known to attain many
lawn mowers in that fashion.
Because ducks are waterfowl,
condensation forms from the
breath of the ducklings. Metal
rusts quickly in this atmosphere.
The same manure pit cleaners
used for the chickens works well
for the ducklings to move the man
ure into a holding tank. A neigh
boring farmer spreads the manure
on fields.
- “I’m told duck manure is super
ior to cattle manure,” Luke said.
“We’re really glad we have an out
let for it; otherwise, we couldn’t
raise ducks.
Mortality fate is.Jow for ducks.
No HOw. cold temperatures
drop, it doesn’t seem to affect (he
ducklings. In fact, Luke said, the
one section that has less heat from
the heat lamps used, has resulted in
less mortality' than the warmer
sections.
Hot weather is harder on the
ducks and the mortality rate
increases a bit during hot weather
stretches. Large fans are used for
cooling during hot weather
months.
A formulated, computer
balanced duck ration is given to the
ducklings. Started on pellets, the
ducklings are switched to a grow
ing ration and later a finishing
ration.
For a duck that may become
Luke and Elmeta Hollinger stand in front of the chicken houses that they converted
into duck pens, which hold 12,000 Peking ducks. Although chickens and ducks are
both birds, the Hollingers said that ducks are natured completely different than
chickens.
lame or exhibit some other disabil
ity, a small portion in the one pen is
roped off for a duck hospital.
When ducks are spread out, they
are satisfied and happy. Some
times Luke walks through the
ducks to spread them out a bit more
as they tend to be passive and not
move around much.
The Hollingers have four adult
children and 10 grandchildren for
which they added a large all
pu pose room their home in order to
accomodate many family gather
ings. Luke is a Sunday school
superintendent and Elmeta is
active irt the women’s ministry at
their church. She also plays the
organ.
The couple have a cottage at
Landisville Campgrounds, about
an hour’s drive away. During the
summer months, they often spend
weekends there, but Luke usually
returns to sleep with his ducklings.
Although a son who lives near
by will care for the ducklings,
Luke is reluctant to stay away
overnight.
‘The ducks are just like my
children. I feel better when I’m
sleeping at home with them. If I go
away, I always have the ducks in
back of mind just like they’re my
kids. 1 keep calling home to see
how thr ' do)
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 18, 1995-B3
Elmeta holds a newly-hatched duckling. At four wi
age, the ducks will be debeaked.
Luke, who will be 65, will retire I love getting up in the morning
from his full-time job as a cabinet and having something to tend. It’s
maker next year. in my blood. 1 miss it if it’s not
“But I’ll keep tending my ducks, there,” he said
*****************************
Homestead
Notes
****************************