How to produce quality eggs?

[Duckles]

The old man told me I can sell duck eggs at our farm stand. People around here pay lots of $ for nice duck eggs. He is picky about what he sells and I also want to produce really good eggs, I only eat free range chicken eggs because I'm convinced the yolks hold their shape better. I was wondering if you experienced egg folks know what the best feed is for laying ducks, anything I should feed them to supplement? Any tricks to producing really nice eggs? I have 2 young khaki cambells and 14 female ducklings so I may not even get to sell any until the end of the summer/next summer. Will they lay in the winter? How should I keep them before selling them and how long are they good for? hehe I have so many questions, please shower me with your wisdom duck people!

 

[FenDruadin]

Free range free range free range.

If your birds have access to fresh grass, bugs, weeds, grubs, fish (optional), etc., they will produce the best eggs money can buy. The feed you use is secondary--Purina is always a good bet, or you can use a custom mix.

To keep the eggs clean (a challenge when dealing with messy ducks), make sure you provide them with lots of heavily bedded corners and nooks. Keep plenty of fresh straw in those corners at all times. A golf ball in each corner or nook you want them to use will go a long way toward encouraging them to lay in the right places.

Of course, collect eggs daily and cool them immediately. Don't wash them unless they are dirty.

I sell duck eggs to personal chefs, and they are much admired. I don't do everything on this list. For instance, I sometimes let them sit at room temperature as much as a day. They'll keep for a long time even at room temp (imagine what people did before refrigeration, right?), but chilling immediately is preferred by many people and probably does increase shelf life. I also don't always have golf balls in all the nests (they are usually stolen by my 3-year-old who likes to play with them), so the eggs often end up all over the place, and they're usually quite dirty, so I end up washing them.

It's the free ranging that makes for the good quality eggs. Everything else is just details.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[flowergirl60]

I just bought some duck eggs for the first time. Never eaten one before this and I tell you they were great!

The guy at the farm I bought them from said lots of greens.

 

[The Duck ABC's]

Free ranging is the best. It strengthens the hen and her eggs will be better too. The sunlight exposure generates more vitamin d, which also makes the eggs better. The hens will enrich their diet with plants, bugs, and anything in between. Your eggs will be loaded with good vitamins. Best is to store them cool (below 60F). Some states do require that the eggs are washed prior to sale, so you better check into that. I wash all of mine, because it looks better that way. Experienced buyers may prefer them not to be washed, but that is another story. I use normal antibacterial dish washing liquid and wash them with hot tap water. A small scrub sponge helps with some of the dirt.

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

Our free ranging ducks have done well with Purina Flockraiser (20%) and free-choice oyster shell grit, plus greens (especially in the winter) every day.

ETA: We wash our eggs as well. No soap, just very warm water and gentle scrubbing with the thumb. It helps to let the water soak in for a minute before scrubbing.

 

[Duckles]

Thanks so much guys!