Duck Egg Colors...Your Input Needed

[treldib]

Metzer Farms sell them for $0.70 - $0.95 ea.


http://www.metzerfarms.com/Eggs.cfm?CustID=186774&EggType=Fresh

 

[linda_zeagler31002]

Quote:
Look on http://www.localharvest.org/store/eggs.jsp, I personally here in my area charge for a dozen of Pekin eggs for eating locally $6.00 to the Asian class that do nails and cook Chinese, but for hatching I usually get $12 if I am shipping.

 

[Muggsmagee]

Wow. I'm hoping I can get a fair deal at the farmer's markets. Trying to plan ahead. Again, thanks for the info you all provide.

 

[FenDruadin]

Duck eggs around here sell for $5-6 at the farmer's markets. I sell them for as little as $4 a dozen to personal friends. Hatching eggs start at $12 a dozen--more expensive because they require more care, because I select carefully the best eggs, because I carefully separate breeding groups, and because there is more risk (i.e., if they aren't picked up, I can't use them myself unless I just happen to be planning to hatch). I don't ship--too much hassle, and plenty of market right here.

 

[Muggsmagee]

Does it depend on the size of the duck egg for sale? I want to assume the eggs sold for eating are probably larger than a chicken egg? I am learning more and more how messy ducks are. Boy are we in for it!

 

[Amiga]

My runner eggs are about the size of a jumbo chicken egg, though sometimes they are the size of a large or extra large (if they have just started up laying).

E.T.A. I don't find them so messy. But I have experimented with several ways of keeping up with them and it has worked out. They certainly are not no-maintenance creatures! I just rotate straw and bedding through their housing and then onto the compost pile or garden beds.

Regarding water, a good splash catcher avoids much mess. One of the every day or two cleanup chores that takes five minutes is scooping wet sawdust out of their splash catcher and onto the garden path, replacing it with a few handfuls of dry sawdust. Two more minutes to pick up damp bedding at the entry way to the catcher. Since it is part of the routine, it doesn't seem like much to do, and it keeps their area from being messy.

I'd say if you know what to expect from their behavior, you can design a setup that helps you keep everything in pretty good shape (it won't be sterile (c; ) without taking much of your time. We do not have odor problems, or fly problems, or mold problems. Time to go play with the ducks!

 

[Elphaba2140]

Great! Now I am going to have to get ducks too!

 

[Muggsmagee]

I've placed my first duck order through Holderread's Waterfowl. I will be getting 7 Saxony and 7 Welsh Harlequin in April. These I hope to show.

I have been fumbling with my McMurray list of ducks...I keep switching the numbers around. I've got one of every color Runner duck, a few Cayugas, a few Rouen, Blue Swedish, a few Gold Star, and Buff. Should be getting my shipment in February.

These are just for fun.

Ahem...I may not be done. Through my friends I may be getting Khaki Campbell and Crested Cayuga eggs to hatch.

I've jumped head first into this, just like my chickens! I'm in trouble.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who pitched in their advice and experience. Much appreciated.

Oh, and if anyone still wants to add more varieties of duck breeds and egg colors...I will be glad to continue updating the original post.

 

[treldib]

Quote:
All females?

 

[Muggsmagee]

Quote:
All females?

The Saxony and Welsh Harlequins will be a straight run. McMurray is all females. For now I really just want their eggs for eating.