Just a quick reminder ~ Don't forget to add a packet of VitaMetz Waterfowl Boost onto your next Metzer Farms duckling order. VitaMetz is our new, premium waterfowl supplement for ducks, geese and other poultry. It is specially formulated for waterfowl containing a complete package of vitamins, electrolytes, probiotics, and minerals for more eggs, healthier birds, and an overall happier flock.
Here are some VitaMetz special features we are excited about:
* Contains Niacin to support growth and strong leg development
* Contains probiotics to support your duck's gut health
* Helps support your flock during times of stress caused by heat, travel & predators
* Has additional vitamins and minerals for great egg quality
* Comes in a concentrated formula which makes 24 gallons
* Two ways to administer - in your water source or top dressed on feed
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A little background, for more than 20 years the United States Postal Service (USPS) has had a partnership with FedEx to carry the majority of flown mail for the Post Office. It was announced earlier this year that on October 1st the contract will be shifting to UPS. A recent update is that live bird shipments will be an exception. FedEx will continue carrying live animals for the USPS. For most of you there will be no change in the delivery of your birds. However, for those of you that ship live poultry, it is important you know what is happening. Below is a summary, but there is also a page on the Bird Shippers of America website that will be updated as information is gathered.
The birds will continue to be sorted in Memphis, which is the world hub for FedEx, but sorting will be done at night, instead of during the day. The advantage of this is that you may get your birds quicker. FedEx will be receiving your birds in the early evening in Memphis, sorting them during the night and flying them out in the early morning. If all goes well, your local post office will receive your birds in time for pickup that same day. So instead of two-day shipments being the norm, we may have more one day shipments.
Two notable changes that will impact shippers:
1.) Shippers need to know they will have to deliver birds to their Post Office much earlier in the day so they can catch the earlier FedEx night flights.
2.) Additionally, there have been changes to the list of airports that will process live shipments. You can see a list of airports HERE by clicking on "FedEx No Origin and No Destination Airport Analysis" at the bottom of the page. Hatcheries near those areas should contact their USPS representative for more information.
Please notify any of your friends or suppliers about this change so they can prepare for them.
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As you know, ducks can make a real mess with water. We have set up an experiment at our Gonzales farm where we are supplying water in five different methods for a flock of Buff ducks just now starting to lay. We have one male and five females in each of the 15 (6'x8') pens, each watering method is used in three randomly selected pens.
- Nipple waterers only
- A red, hanging waterer
- Nipple waterers with plastic flooring under them
- A red, hanging waterer with plastic flooring under it
- Nipple waterers with plastic flooring under them. Once a week, for 8 hours a small
bathing pool is put on the plastic flooring for the ducks to bath in.
We are measuring water usage with each method. In each pen we are recording shavings usage, egg production, mortality, and monthly weights and feather scores. This will be for ten months - during an entire egg production cycle. Dr. Brigid McCrae, Auburn University Poultry Extension Specialist, will be working with us to compile and analyze the data for publication. We will keep you posted!
Click on the video below showing us prepping for the experiment:
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Our Experiment on How to Best Water Ducks
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JANUARY 24 -25, 2025
Next year's 2025 Pacific Poultry Breeder Association's Pacific Poultry Show will be on January 24th and 25th at the Grape Festival Grounds in Lodi, California. If you will be in the area, please consider stopping by. Metzer Farms will be attending and our plan is to show several pens (similar to the ones described above in our experiment) showing how to best water your ducks. Please join us! More details to come as we get closer to the event.
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