Duck eggs !!! Now some questions?

[GoodEgg]

Quote:
Thanks Ellen,

I remember reading something about spinach, not sure just what. Oxalic acid maybe? That was bad, but I can't remember how. I just remember not to give too much spinach.

(I used to raise cockatiels, and some other hookbills too!)

I'm glad you mentioned dandelion greens. Mine get lots of those. They actually eat seeds and leaves all day long, along with digging in the dirt and catching a few bugs so I hope all that "salad" gives them a good supply of calcium.

Thanks for the reply!

trish

 

[GoodEgg]

Well it's official. BOTH ducks are laying!

I got TWO eggs this morning, and it's easy to tell the runner's eggs from the swedish.

The shells were incredibly THICK! I tried several times to break them and finally had to pry them apart with my fingers.

Now I'm wondering if this means they have plenty of calcium, or does it mean that they are using lots of calcium and more likely to need supplements?

Thanks!
trish

 

[DrakeMaiden]

My advice would be to get laying feed, ASAP. They might be getting enough calcium by foraging, but its more likely they will need the supplement, especially as winter comes along.

Congrats, by the way on the eggs!

I agree, you should raise ducklings in the spring. It takes a while for the ducks' bodies to adjust to egg-laying, so their eggs probably won't be as viable as they will be next spring.

In terms of using older eggs -- I've heard of some people cooking eggs that were incubated and found to be infertile. That grosses me out. I think it comes down to whatever you feel comfortable trying and if you want to push the limit, remember to use those eggs in baked goods, preferably something that will bake at a high temperature or for a long period of time.

And yes, it is the oxalic acid in spinach that interferes with calcium absorption.

 

[DuckLady]

Congrats on the eggs!
Waterfowl eggs have a thicker inner membrane then land fowl. They are always harder to break open because of it.
I keep a feeder full of oystershell available all the time. Their bodies tell them when they need it and while layer feed does have calcium, every duck is different. Oyster shell is cheap, so I would rather have it available if/when they need it instead of fixing problems after they start.

Grit, which is different from calcium, is usually picked up as they forage. Mine free range during the day and they tend to find sand or fine gravel in their travels. We have a sand filter septic system and I have seen them taking sand off the top on occasion. If they are penned up all the time, I would offer grit in a separate container, especially if you are feeding treats. They will eat what their bodies need.

Fried duck eggs over medium with buttered sourdough toast. Yum yum!

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Fried duck eggs over medium with buttered sourdough toast. Yum yum!

LOL Terrielacy! I think that's the second time I've read that from you. I guess I'll have to give it a try.

Good advice. I have yet to try oyster shell, but it seems like if you are keeping drakes in close quarters with ducks that it would solve the problem of buying two different types of feed and then keeping the drakes out of the layer food (because drakes shouldn't get too much calcium).

As far as grit and sand go -- mine free-range for the most part, but I keep my ducks penned up while I'm at work. I used to only use straw bedding, but then I started using sand around the water trough area. This keeps things a little cleaner and also provides grit for those long days in the pen.​

 

[GoodEgg]

Thanks for all the info!

I shouldn't go with layer feed then, because they all freerange all day and the drakes would surely eat it too. They like feed even more than the ducks do.

I have to run by the feed store, tomorrow, so I'll stop in and get some oyster shell.

They've done so well with foraging, but they have asked for more feed lately (I give them a tiny bit in the morning, and more in the evening if they need it). I think some of the seeds are starting to thin out, and the giant grasshoppers are getting scarcer. I figured with winter I'd have to feed them something.

I'm more excited to get those eggs than I thought I would be. I was so busy looking forward to the chicken eggs, I didn't give as much thought to the duck eggs. But just-laid fresh eggs are AWESOME (and I was getting pretty fresh ones before) -- not to mention I can save the $$ too.

Thanks again for the info. Here's hoping for two more in the morning!

trish

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Duck eggs are richer than chicken eggs -- or so I've heard. I use them for everything, since I don't keep chickens, but people I've heard from who keep both ducks and chickens say they will save the duck eggs for making desserts.

Free range eggs will have a nice orange yolk. Birds fed feed won't have as bright of a yolk. That bright orange color is from beta carotene in the bird's diet. Last winter, when there was snow on the ground for a week or so, I gave my birds supplemental lettuce, and that seems to help keep those yolks bright. Yes, I had a duck laying in the middle of winter when there was snow on the ground, without artificial lighting in her pen.