The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Ash Field Farm on February 14, 2009, 04:49:43 pm

Title: duck eggs
Post by: Ash Field Farm on February 14, 2009, 04:49:43 pm

i have been think about keeping ducks for there eggs would nay one have advice on breeds of duck that are good for it and how many they would lay for me and so on what king of housing would they need

Title: Re: duck eggs
Post by: Crofter on February 14, 2009, 05:35:58 pm

We keep Kahki Campbells and they are good egg layers.  I think I read that they will lay 300 eggs a year though we do not keep records of ours.  The eggs are slightly bigger than Hen eggs and lovely for cooking or baking.  Ducks need a simple shelter that is fox proof, if you are bothered by foxes, and dry.  They also do need water, preferably to swim in but they need to be able to submerge their heads in water or they may get eye problems.  If you want to see any of the eggs, don't let them out until about 10am when they should have laid, otherwise they will lay anywhere!

Good luck

Dave

Title: Re: duck eggs
Post by: Ash Field Farm on February 14, 2009, 06:26:40 pm

hi could u show me please a picture of the size of the eggs  and a pic of the breed of the duck is there another type of duck as wellthat lays the same amount

thanks for the reply

Title: Re: duck eggs
Post by: northfifeduckling on February 15, 2009, 10:28:38 pm

I do agree with Crofter. We have different breeds and the K Campbells have been laying non stop all through the winter. As C said, the eggs are a bit bigger than hens' eggs. Lovely for baking, poaching or quiches. Do not attempt meringues with them, the result made my daughter cry...I put up a little film a few days ago under the thread "help with breed identification". The Campbells are the 3 light coloured ones with the shorter neck, the long necked duck is the Indian Runner. Our ducks spend the night in a "converted" hen house, the conversion is a sloped board instead of a ladder. It took a bit of training to get them in but now they go in by themselves by sundown, we just need to shut the door.:&>

Title: Re: duck eggs
Post by: ballingall on February 15, 2009, 10:35:15 pm

We always found Indian runners lay well too. Again, lovely big eggs.

Beth

Title: Re: duck eggs
Post by: northfifeduckling on February 15, 2009, 10:48:53 pm

Our Indian Runner took a winter break of almost 2 months, but I don't know how old she is.
Ash Field Farm, the pic under my name is a Campbell mother and duckling. :&>

Title: Re: duck eggs
Post by: Hilarysmum on February 16, 2009, 08:31:27 am

KCs l ovely eggs.  Not good mothers though (in my experience), if you want to breed more either a broody or an incubator. 

Title: Re: duck eggs
Post by: Crofter on February 16, 2009, 08:34:11 am

Definately agree there HM. Ours killed 2 broods before we gave up.  Now we incubate them.

Dave

Title: Re: duck eggs
Post by: hexhammeasure on February 16, 2009, 11:57:35 pm

our indian runners have had 3 broods in two years and while only having 3's and 4's are very protective in their early stages

Title: Re: duck eggs
Post by: Hilarysmum on February 17, 2009, 08:25:04 am

Aylesburys make a good dual purpose.  They are supposedly good parents too.  Although mine spend their whole time having sex, but never a broody to be seen. 

Title: Re: duck eggs
Post by: Castle Farm on February 17, 2009, 10:06:51 am

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/Appleyard%20Ducks/AppleyardDucks011.jpg)(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/Appleyard%20Ducks/100_1853.jpg)

Silver Appleyards..Good layers and a fine tablebird.

Title: Re: duck eggs
Post by: Hilarysmum on February 19, 2009, 08:45:04 am

Gorgeous, now I want some ....