Typically my grow outs are deemed such when I can hear their chatter for the first time. This usually occurs at around 10 weeks but I have witnessed earlier at 7-8 weeks. The males will emit a faint monotone sound, whereas the females will emit a high-pitched sound.
Ancona ducks are a fast-growing, dual-purpose breed, typically raised for meat or eggs with a 10-12 year lifespan. They reach maturity quickly, with specific growth stages outlined below:
Key Growth & Harvest Milestones
Butcher/Harvest Age: We recommend 16-20 weeks for larger, fully feathered birds.
Butcher Weight: Approximately 4 lbs (dressed) at 16 weeks.
Adolescence/Full Feathering: 6 to 8 weeks.
Maturity (Layers): Hens start laying eggs between 17 and 34 weeks (approx. 5 months).
Growth Stages
Brooding (Weeks 0-4): Requires heat and protection, with access to shallow water for swimming starting around 4 weeks as they develop preen oil.
Juvenile (Weeks 5-8): Rapid growth phase; they can be transitioned to grower feed (approx. 15% protein).
Moving Outside: Can be introduced to the coop/outside at 6-8 weeks, or earlier (3-4 weeks) if temperatures are warm and they are supervised.
Final Adult Weight
Hens: 5 to 6 lbs.
Drakes: 6 to 8 lbs.
Feed Mazuri starter grower floating pebbles till the age of 16 weeks, than switch to layer.
Typically my grow outs are deemed such when I can hear their chatter for the first time. This usually occurs at around 10 weeks but I have witnessed earlier at 7-8 weeks. The males will emit a faint monotone sound, whereas the females will emit a high-pitched sound.
Ancona ducks are a fast-growing, dual-purpose breed, typically raised for meat or eggs with a 10-12 year lifespan. They reach maturity quickly, with specific growth stages outlined below:
Key Growth & Harvest Milestones
Butcher/Harvest Age: We recommend 16-20 weeks for larger, fully feathered birds.
Butcher Weight: Approximately 4 lbs (dressed) at 16 weeks.
Adolescence/Full Feathering: 6 to 8 weeks.
Maturity (Layers): Hens start laying eggs between 17 and 34 weeks (approx. 5 months).
Growth Stages
Brooding (Weeks 0-4): Requires heat and protection, with access to shallow water for swimming starting around 4 weeks as they develop preen oil.
Juvenile (Weeks 5-8): Rapid growth phase; they can be transitioned to grower feed (approx. 15% protein).
Moving Outside: Can be introduced to the coop/outside at 6-8 weeks, or earlier (3-4 weeks) if temperatures are warm and they are supervised.
Final Adult Weight
Hens: 5 to 6 lbs.
Drakes: 6 to 8 lbs.
Feed Mazuri starter grower floating pebbles till the age of 16 weeks, than switch to layer.
