Ozark Bantams: Our Blog

I just purchased 8 Black East Indies hatching eggs that are due to arrive in a few days. I had been trying to acquire some Black East Indies hatching eggs for some time. Unfortunately, they’re not the easiest duck breed to locate. To acquire these elusive little ducks, you either have to order an adults from a hatchery or waterfowl farm (which often involves being put on a waiting list) or you have to know someone who has Black East Indies hatching eggs for sale. For several months, I had been posting on the BackYardChickens Discussion Forum that I was hoping to acquie some Black East Indies. I was finally contacted by someone today that has a trio of Black East Indies, and they kindly offered to sell me some of their hatching eggs. Needless to say, I was thrilled!

For those you who are unfamiliar with Black East Indies, they are a bantam breed of domestic duck known for their exotic appearance. Black East Indies typically weigh less than two pounds. Most notably, their feathers are black with a radiant green iridescence which shimmers in the sunlight. Although they are similar in size to Call Ducks, Black East Indies are more racier and streamline in appearance. They essentially look like a miniature of the Cayuga Duck. Once I receive the hatching eggs, they will be set under one of my broody cochin hens for 28 days until they hatch. It goes without saying that I am hoping for a good hatch rate. October is late in the year to be hatching and rearing ducklings, but I think they should be fine. Ideally, I’d like to get at least one drake and three hens out of the hatch. Once the Black East Indies ducklings are old enough to leave their hen, I hope to add them to the duck pen along with my White Call Ducks.

November 8th, 2009 Update: The Black East Indies eggs arrived as expected, and they were set under one of our broody cochin hens. Unfortunately, none of the Black East Indies eggs hatched. By November 3rd, I had discarded 4 of the 7 eggs as they were not developing. The other three were however, and I heard definite peeping and movement in two of those three eggs. Nonetheless, by the 5th none of those eggs had hatched. As such, the ducklings must have died right before hatch. Its possible that setting the eggs this late in the season had a detrimental effect on the would be ducklings. Although disappointing, this sometimes happens. Circumstances must be just right for eggs to develop and ducklings hatch. Perhaps we will try to hatch black east indies again this coming spring.

Black East Indies