First Cayuga duck egg

[Mandee297]

Soooo I knew our first egg was coming due to the girls’ age and flirtation station lately. Low and behold I found an egg just sitting in their run. However it wasn’t a black egg like I anticipated for their first egg.
im still excited since it’s our first. But is it weird that it’s this color?
Also should I have oyster shell in there like I do my chickens? I’ve read mixed things.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

@Isaac 0 knows a lot about ducks.

 

[3bird]

Congrats to your girl (and you)! If you have only girls, you can (many would say "should") feed a layer feed while they are laying. If you are not feeding a layer feed (if you have drakes and feed free choice, many recommend you not feed a layer feed as it can be harmful to the boys), you can offer oyster shells free choice. In addition, you can feed the egg shells back to them. Keep us posted!

 

[Mandee297]

Congrats to your girl (and you)! If you have only girls, you can (many would say "should") feed a layer feed while they are laying. If you are not feeding a layer feed (if you have drakes and feed free choice, many recommend you not feed a layer feed as it can be harmful to the boys), you can offer oyster shells free choice. In addition, you can feed the egg shells back to them. Keep us posted!

Thank you!!! I do just have three girlies. I have been feeding them this -
Your pet will love this Kalmbach Feeds All Natural 16% Flock Maintainer Duck & Chicken Feed, 50-lb bag:
https://app.chewy.com/9r0lxhW2geb
I still have a lot to go through but they seem to like it and they free range a couple hours supervised daily.
She also laid it right in the middle of the run. No nest. Which was odd cause someone had been making nests last week.

 

[3bird]

Thank you!!! I do just have three girlies. I have been feeding them this -
Your pet will love this Kalmbach Feeds All Natural 16% Flock Maintainer Duck & Chicken Feed, 50-lb bag:
https://app.chewy.com/9r0lxhW2geb
I still have a lot to go through but they seem to like it and they free range a couple hours supervised daily.
She also laid it right in the middle of the run. No nest. Which was odd cause someone had been making nests last week.

We have silver Appleyards, and they are known for being quite broody with good maternal instincts, so we get most of our eggs in nests, but there is the odd drop here or there.

If you are going to feed a maintenance feed instead of a layer feed, you should also offer them oyster shells (and feed the egg shells back to them).

Post some pictures of your girls!

 

[Mandee297]

We have silver Appleyards, and they are known for being quite broody with good maternal instincts, so we get most of our eggs in nests, but there is the odd drop here or there.

If you are going to feed a maintenance feed instead of a layer feed, you should also offer them oyster shells (and feed the egg shells back to them).

Post some pictures of your girls!

Thank you!! Here’s my lovies

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Cayuga lay grey or whitish eggs. I think it depends on the line. If you want grey eggs. Best bet is a breeder, not a hatchery from what I've seen

 

[Mandee297]

Cayuga lay grey or whitish eggs. I think it depends on the line. If you want grey eggs. Best bet is a breeder, not a hatchery from what I've seen

Thank you! Good to know!

 

[3bird]

They are gorgeous (and I'm sure intelligent!).

 

[Ratchnick]

I have always heard that they start black and get lighter as the season progresses. I have seen pictures of coal black eggs.