Duck Egg Questions For Newbie

[profam4]

We have 4 ducklings 5-6 weeks in age we are building a coop -
Here are my questions:

Do we need to make a nesting box for them to lay eggs in we didn't put that in the plans for our coop?

We don't know the sex of our ducks yet if they are all girls great we will have no problems but if there is a male among them how do I keep the ducks from mating I want to avoid fertile eggs if possible. Any advice is that possible and also how do I determine if the eggs are fertile is it only in the spring I have to watch or do I have to check each egg we wouldn't want a surprise egg if you know what I mean. My uncle mentioned he lived on a chicken farm and occasionally they would have an egg that was fertile get in the mix of the eggs collected and I really don't want that to happen. Any advice please share.

Also do I have to feed them anything special when they are laying.

Thanks so much -

MUSCOVY named Bacon, Rouen named Reeses, Pekin named Sunshine, & Cayuga named Raven.

 

[sparkles2307]

You can eat fertile eggs. I have never seen a duck lay in a nesting box in my life. They like tall grass to nest in so they are hidden, but my Rouen lays in a nest that she built in a quiet corner of the barn.

 

[ChickenToes]

You don't need to make nesting boxes. I just throw a pile of hay in a corner of the coop and they make their own nest. When I had nesting boxes for them, they would only lay in them once in a while.

If you want to avoid having fertile eggs, you'll need to get rid of any drakes. The only way that I know of to check if an egg is fertile is to crack it open and look for the bulls-eye.

 

[sparkles2307]

Quote:
Yeah I forgot to say that last bit too, about cracking it open.

 

[xfilesnumber1fan]

If you dont want the eggs fertile you will have to get rid of the drake(s) or keep them seperate..They will breed..You do not need nesting boxes if you dont want babies..Besides ducks will lay eggs anywhere.....

 

[Duck Keeper]

It's safe to eat fertile eggs. We do, and we're still alive.

Not to mention all of the families in the past whom haven't died... Lol

Besides, you will get NO BABIES if your ducks don't brood them (sit on them for 28+/- days).

 

[profam4]

That is the answer I was looking for! Thanks I didn't know that if she didn't sit on the eggs they wouldn't become little ducklings I just pictured all these eggs turning into ducklings and it made me quite nervous. I am totally ignorant to the whole egg thing. But, thank you for the great replies. I am much happier now that I know.