Quackin' the Code to Beating the Heat - Check out our recipe for duck popsicles!

💧 1. Always Provide Fresh, Cool Water
Make sure ducks have access to clean water deep enough to dunk their heads. Refresh water frequently throughout the day to keep it cool. Consider adding a few ice cubes or frozen water bottles to waterers or pools.

🌿 2. Give Them Plenty of Shade
Use shade cloths, tarps, or even pop-up canopies to block direct sun.

🛁 3. Kiddie Pools & Shallow Tubs
Provide a place to splash! A kiddie pool or shallow container helps ducks regulate their body temperature. Add frozen water jugs to keep the water cooler longer.

🍉 4. Serve Frozen Treats
Try frozen peas, corn, watermelon chunks, or even fruit-and-veggie “ice cubes.” Freeze small treats in muffin tins with water for a fun cool-down snack.

⚡5. Add Electrolytes to Their Drinking Water
Use poultry-safe electrolytes like our VitaMetz Waterfowl Boost to help prevent heat stress.

🚿 6. Cool the Ground
Lightly mist shady areas or spray down the dirt or grass where your ducks hang out.

🌬️ 7. Ventilate the Coop
Make sure there's good airflow — open windows, prop doors, or add a fan (safely out of reach). Never leave ducks locked in a hot coop during the day.

⚠️ 8. Watch for Heat Stress
Look out for signs like panting or open-mouth breathing, wings held away from the body, lethargy, or drooping heads. Move affected ducks to a cooler area right away and provide cool water with electrolytes.
 

A tip from Marc Metzer: Keep them moving! Sometimes birds will be lethargic in the heat, so walking near them periodically to get them up and moving so they'll drink their water is key!
 

On June 24th, we were honored to host APPPA’s (American Pastured Poultry Producers Association) first regional event of 2025 at Metzer Farms. It was a full and rewarding day as farmers, producers, and poultry enthusiasts from across the US gathered for a behind-the-scenes look at our hatchery, as well as a live duck processing demonstration.

Guests toured our facilities, learned more about our hatching and shipping processes, and participated in great conversations about breed selection, pasture management, and small-scale poultry production. The event offered a great mix of education, collaboration, and good old-fashioned networking. We were thrilled by the turnout and the energy everyone brought to the hatchery. For us, it’s always inspiring to be surrounded by folks who care deeply about the health, welfare, and future of poultry farming.

• Application period: May 15, 2025 – August 15, 2025
• Judging: September – October
• Winner notification and grant contract submissions: November – December
• Public announcement of winners: January

To Apply for a Microgrant:

• Complete this online application (preferred) OR
• Request an application by sending an email to info@livestockconservancy.org

Start planning your project to save rare and endangered livestock breeds from extinction!

Microgrant applicants will need to register for an account within the microgrants system. Note that this is NOT connected to a Livestock Conservancy membership account. This is a new account just for submitting microgrant applications.

Cayuga ducks are a unique and beautiful heritage breed known for their striking, iridescent black feathers that shimmer green in the sunlight. Originally developed in New York and named after Cayuga Lake, they’re not only eye-catching but also practical. Cayugas are quiet, calm, and easy to handle, making them perfect for backyards and small farms. They’re excellent foragers, helping control pests like slugs and snails, and are cold-hardy, thriving even in chilly climates. One of their coolest traits? At the beginning of the laying season, their eggs can be a deep, almost black color, gradually lightening to gray or blue over time. As they age, their feathers may turn white, giving them a frosted or tuxedo-like look. With their dual-purpose qualities and gentle nature, Cayugas are a favorite among duck lovers, and as a breed on the Livestock Conservancy’s watch list, they’re also worth preserving.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen peas

• 1/2 cup chopped leafy greens (like romaine, kale, or dandelion greens)

• 1/4 cup diced watermelon (no seeds)

• Clean water

Optional Add-ins:

• Corn kernels

• Blueberries

• Shredded carrots

• Chopped herbs like mint or parsley

Instructions:

1. Evenly divide the fruits and veggies into a silicone muffin pan, ice cube tray, or small plastic containers.

2. Fill each compartment with water until the ingredients are just covered.

3. Place in the freezer and let freeze solid (about 4–6 hours).

4. Pop them out and serve in a shaded area or kiddie pool for a fun foraging activity.

Tips:

• Use filtered or cool well water for extra freshness.

• Offer popsicles during the hottest part of the day to help your ducks cool off.

• Store extras in a freezer bag for quick treats all week.

🦆 These are 100% duck-safe and mess-free fun!