About Shirlock Acres

A Family Owned Hatchery Since 2007

Our Story

Shirlock Acres is owned and founded by Roger and Ruth Shirk, and it isn’t just a farm; it’s a family’s passion turned into a thriving business. What started as a way to keep Roger’s boys busy grew into a full-fledged venture. Back in 2007, Roger put a few incubators and a small hatcher in a remodeled steer shed and began hatching Muscovy ducklings for JM Hatchery. In the following years, they expanded the family farm and put up a few layer houses to house the breeder flocks that were still owned by JM Hatchery. The whole family pitched in daily to care for the ducks and collect the eggs. Weekly hatch day is always a highlight, watching the miracle of new life never gets old!

In 2010, Fifth Day Farm bought the duck operation from JM Hatchery but Roger and his family’s job remained the same as they continued to manage the layer flocks and hatch the ducklings every week. As the years passed, their sons grew up, some pursuing their own careers, while Roger and his son Derek continued to expand the Muscovy duck business. In 2021, Shirlock Acres took a big step forward by acquiring Muscovy breeders from Fifth Day Farm.

Today, Shirlock Acres runs with a small but dedicated team alongside Roger and Derek, committed to maintaining the farm’s high standards. Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce our plans to introduce more duck breeds to our lineup soon. We’re passionate about providing you with the best possible products and can’t wait to share more with you in the near future.

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Roger and Ruth Shirk – Founders & Owners

The visionaries who laid the foundation for Shirlock Acres, Roger and Ruth, continue to lead with passion and commitment.

Derek and Ariana Shirk

Carrying the legacy forward with a blend of innovation and tradition, Derek and his wife, Ariana, are integral to Shirlock Acres’ future.

Roger’s Sons

From youthful farmhands to men with their own paths, Roger’s sons have been part of the farm’s story since the beginning, leaving their mark on its legacy.

Shirlock Acres Mission Statement

Whether you’re a hobby farmer aiming to live sustainably with a backyard flock or a large commercial farmer, at Shirlock Acres, we are committed to producing high-quality, healthy ducklings and eggs. Our state-of-the-art hatchery employs the latest in modern technology, ensuring optimal conditions for incubation and hatching. We maintain rigorous standards of cleanliness and sanitation in our breeder barns and hatchery to ensure our birds are disease-free and thrive in a healthy environment.

Our goal is to provide you with a stress-free experience in raising your birds, from duckling to adult. Guided by our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we believe that we are created by Him for His glory.

At Shirlock Acres, keeping our ducks healthy and happy is our top priority! That’s why we’re proud to be NPIP certified. Being part of the National Poultry Improvement Plan means our flocks are tested regularly to make sure they’re free of specific diseases like Pullorum (Salmonella Pullorum) and Avian Influenza (AI).
This certification gives you peace of mind knowing you’re getting strong, healthy ducklings from a hatchery that follows strict health standards. If you’re curious to learn more about NPIP and what it means, check out their website at poultryimprovement.org.