Duck eggs....how to know?

[DaphneTheDuck]

We don't know age as she's a rescue. She is the one nearest the camera

 

[Bettyboop7499]

Your ducks have recently started to lay? - Patient, it will very soon be easy to identify the duck eggs as they will be significantly larger than the chicken eggs.

Yes, they just recently started laying. I was aware the Pekin egg would be white and assumed it would be much bigger. But, I’m not sure how big the Chocolate Runner eggs will be. Can’t really tell in the photo but the second brown egg is longer and narrower than the other brown egg..wasn’t sure if that would be an indicator?

 

[Bettyboop7499]

My KCs eggs are relatively close in size to my larger chicken eggs. Runners are quite small/light weight ducks and probably lay eggs on the smaller end of the duck egg spectrum. Pekins are huge and when you get a pekin egg it will likely be obvious.

Thank you, my Pekin isn’t laying as of yet. My issue really is with the Chocolate Runner, I can easily tell the Blue Runner eggs as they are my only color layer, however the Chocolate lays brown eggs and she lays in the same area as my chickens...

 

[Bettyboop7499]

The one on the far right is a duck egg. You can tell by the bloom, eggs that are coated like this will be duck eggs.

Here is an article that lists some different duck breeds and the color eggs they typically lay. Your Pekin eggs will be white and significantly larger than the chicken eggs. The brown eggs are probably all chicken eggs.

https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2019/04/what-color-eggs-do-ducks-lay.html

You could crack each of those 4 eggs in a separate bowl and look at them side by side. As you crack the eggs typically duck eggs have a noticeably thicker shell and are harder to crack. Once you can compare them you will see that duck eggs have a much larger yolk and less white within the egg.

Thank you! The article is very helpful!

 

[MGG]

Have you looked at the bottoms of her feet? She may have bumble foot or something which could be causing her pain.

 

[Isaac 0]

Do you have a picture of her? If she is old, few eggs are going to be expected.

 

[DaphneTheDuck]

We are also trying to figure what breed she is we know she is part runner

 

[DaphneTheDuck]

Thanks for your help. One more question what time of year do they generally begin laying?

 

[DaphneTheDuck]

England

 

[Isaac 0]

What time should I let my duck out to ensure she has enough time to lay an egg? (If she ever does)

As long as the coop door is open, you can let her out whenever. She will go in to lay if needed.