BackYardChickens Forum

I have never done this, but a breeder here in OK said he puts his in the fridge for up to 10 days as he gathers enough for the bator. He said this helps him maintain a more even hatch date and time.

Ok this might sound funny but why are my ducks having eggs in this weather it is nearly 30 degrees at night. I thought they only laid eggs starting spring.

Also - I heard if I collect them each day they are safe to eat, do ducks lay eggs that are infertile I guess I don't quite understand. EGG 101 lesson please I am new at this.

neferset wrote:

duckmanor wrote:

Ok this might sound funny but why are my ducks having eggs in this weather it is nearly 30 degrees at night. I thought they only laid eggs starting spring.

Also - I heard if I collect them each day they are safe to eat, do ducks lay eggs that are infertile I guess I don't quite understand. EGG 101 lesson please I am new at this.

Fertile eggs are safe to eat. In some countries, eggs with advanced embryos are considered a delicacy, though I wouldn't eat those myself.

When I was in the Philippines, I have fond memories of the street vendors walking down the street with a poll balanced on each should with baskets at the end, and he would shout over and over, "BALUT!" (pronounced  baloot).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut_(egg)

Yes, you could still try to incubate them. Some refrigerated eggs can still develop. I'd set them out an let them get to room temperature before putting them in the 99.5 degree incubator. I start out at around 40-50% humidity. My call duck eggs do better hand turned, but when I had pekins they hatched fine when I used an egg turner.

If it's the styrofoam type, you add water to the bottom. There are wells for it either built into a plastic tray or into the styrofoam.

If you don't have wells, you can add a bowl with water and a sponge. You may need a sponge for extra humidity at the end anyway.