First time with laying ducks- help!!

[hannibalfarm6]

We have two Pekin ducks (male and female) who are just about 9 months old. Our girl just started laying a few weeks ago in the dead of winter, about 1-2 eggs a day. This is our first time having ducks who are laying. She does not sit on any of her eggs because she doesn't know, and by the time we get to collect them from her, they are cold or have been in the cold for about an hour or so. We have an incubator, and we are unsure how to tell if it is worth incubating these eggs if they were not constantly warm. I have heard of the candling method, but it is hard to tell, especially after a day or two. Should we wait until warmer weather to incubate and use these eggs for baking? Can we use them if they are fertilized? Sorry for all the questions, we are new to this so we are not sure! Thanks, everyone!

 

[DukesDucks]

I collect frozen chicken eggs everyday and assume the same would be true for duck eggs. I just put them in the frig. They are fine for scrambled eggs or baking. Any time of year, I crack my duck or chicken eggs into a bowl before adding them to other ingredients.

 

[americanchicks]

Im in the same boat as you. I just picked up a trio of Rouen Ducks. They have been laying 2 eggs a day since I got them. They lay them everywhere unlike my Muscovies that always lay in the nest boxes. With the freezing mornings I was unsure if they where vital. I figured one way to tell is just to try. I put 9 eggs in the incubator yesterday. I figured if that are fertile and grow great, if not no biggie.

 

[chickens really]

As long as the shell isn't cracked and the eggs seem okay I keep in my cartons. Cracked frozen eggs I toss to my dogs..

 

[americanchicks]

UPDATE. Put 9 rouen eggs in the incubator and just candled. All are good and growing but 2. Not to shabby . Our morning temps have been around 29-32. You can eat fertilized duck eggs just like with chicken eggs. Taste is not changed.