Duck egg questions?

[littlehenny]

One of my girls finally laid her first egg the other day! I have gotten a total of 4 eggs so far. 1 egg a day, so I am assuming only 1 is laying so far. I have 4 girls. Question, she is laying sometime in the night, by the door of there house. I noticed the first egg, laying on the ground just outside there house. They had knocked it out on there way out that morning. Will the eggs be okay laying out overnight, in the below freezing temps? How long will duck eggs keep? How can I get them to lay in the nest box? They go in there through the day, but no eggs there yet.

 

[purelypoultry]

Are the eggs broken from having frozen. If not they would be ok to eat. I don't know of a specific time length to keep them. If they float in water they are no good.

Did you know you can test an egg and get an approximatation of its age? All you need are the eggs and a bowl of cold water.

Gently drop the egg into the bowl of water. If it:

* sinks to the bottom and stays there, it is about three to six days old.
* Sinks, but floats at an angle, it's more than a week old.
* Sinks, but then stands on end, it's about two weeks old.
* Floats, it's too old and should be discarded.

How to get them to lay in the nest box is a toughie. I would try putting a nest box near where they are trying to lay.

 

[Teach97]

I would not assume you only have one laying. It takes a bit for that whole laying every day to work itself out...although it could be Birds do skip a day or two

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
And put a few golf balls or fake eggs in the nest box...that gives them the idea quicker.

 

[Amiga]

I would not set my heart on them using the nest boxes with much regularity, but it is worth a try! I am talking myself into putting a couple of boxes in the shelter for my runners (who should be going into the incubator this weekend).

But I am not convinced the boxes will be worth much effort. One recommendation I have seen is not to let them out extremely early in the morning, because they may lay eggs who knows where. Generally, they are done laying fairly early, so if you can watch that (by around 8 a.m. if I recall), and let them out after laying time, at least the eggs will be in the shelter.

 

[spamee34]

I have a friend that has 2 pekin ducks and a few day's a week they will both lay 2 eggs . I think it is soooo cooollllll. They are always waiting on her when she feeds in the morning the ducks and their eggs lol.

 

[littlehenny]

Thanks guys this is all good to know. So this is pretty normal for them to lay overnight or, probably early morning. I have no way of knowing what time. I just know the eggs have been in the same spot every morning when I go to let them out. On the nest box, do you think it would help to hang a rug or something up halfway over the front, do they like it dark? Like the chickens do, I had to take one of the chickens nest boxes out, because they would only use the one that was in the darkest corner. One more question, how long can I keep the eggs safely out, before I get them in the incubator? I don't have one yet, but it is in my plans to get one. I want some baby duckies, from my babies.. I'm not planning on using these first eggs for the bator, but I want to know and be prepared for when I get one.

 

[littlehenny]

The girls are laying in the nest box!!!! Gotta love those Duckies!!