17hrs of light needed for optimal egg laying by ducks *NOT*

[Eggscoozme]

I'VE READ ON METZER FARMS SITE THAT 17HRS DAYLIGHT FOR OPTIMAL EGG LAYING. ALL MY GIRLS ARE LAYING EVERYDAY WITH 9HRS OF DAYLIGHT, NO ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. WHOAH AND WOW! THEY EGGS HAVE BEEN FERTILE. DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY ARE "FOOLING AROUND" AS I HAVE THEM LOCKED UP MOST DAYS SINCE WE'RE HEADING TOWARDS HEAVY PREDATOR SEASON, AND THEIR KIDDIE POOL IS NOT ACCESSIBLE. GUESS THEY ARE "DOING IT" THOUGH.

 

[llombardo]

I was wondering about the light with ducks. I have only one old enough to lay and she has not stopped. I think they have gotten bigger.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

One of my six months old Indian Runner ducks just started laying - one egg a day - i was completely surprised. No artificial light in the duck-house.

 

[llombardo]

One of my six months old Indian Runner ducks just started laying - one egg a day - i was completely surprised. No artificial light in the duck-house.

What color are runner eggs? My two will be 6 months in mid January and I interested in seeing if they start thrn or in the Spring.

 

[Runner duck mom]

I'm looking forward to my girls taking a break for the winter (I'm sure they are too) but still getting an egg a day from everyone. Can't wait for the days to get longer again!
Our fawn & white lays white eggs. Our chocolate and blue runners lay blue eggs.

 

[llombardo]

I'm looking forward to my girls taking a break for the winter (I'm sure they are too) but still getting an egg a day from everyone. Can't wait for the days to get longer again!
Our fawn & white lays white eggs. Our chocolate and blue runners lay blue eggs.
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I hear you. All my chickens are still laying too. I got eggs everywhere. I was hoping that the runners would have different colors so I can tell the difference.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

One of my runners had started laying recently and her eggs are greenish. Here are two in comparison to a store-bought white chicken egg:

 

[aliciaFarmer]

You're lucky! We have three just over 6 month old ducks and none have ever laid a single egg, the silly girls.

 

[Eggscoozme]

I'm looking forward to my girls taking a break for the winter (I'm sure they are too) but still getting an egg a day from everyone. Can't wait for the days to get longer again!
Our fawn & white lays white eggs. Our chocolate and blue runners lay blue eggs.
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You want them to take a break, because?
Can you sell fertile hatching eggs? I'll also bring in a breakfast scramble to work to use up some eggs. They LOVE it! Or can you sell the eggs for eating (especially during these holidays).

 

[happy duck]

All my ducks stopped(I think) laying for this year. They started in August so I don't blame them for waning to stop now! I( in my opinion) won't use a light because 1. it is a fire hazard and 2. because it is good for your ducks to take a break to be ready for the next season and not having to push there bodies till they are all laid out.