How to tell the difference between Runner and Pekin eggs?

[Gone-Quackers]

I have seven 7 mo. old runner hens and one 3 yr (?) old Pekin. One duck is definitely laying eggs. How do I tell which breed of duck it's from? The eggs are about the size of large chicken eggs and are grey/white. Is there a big size difference between breeds? I know both runners and Pekins can lay whitish eggs.

 

[Amiga]

My Runners lay large chicken egg sized eggs. If I recall, my Pekins' eggs were noticeably larger than that. also I have been told Runners - a smaller breed - will start laying a little earlier than Pekins, generally speaking.

 

[Gone-Quackers]

Thanks Amiga!
No eggs today, I think I am a duck abuser. I couldn't figure out why the ducks didn't leave their pen as they usually do this morning so I shooed them out. They left the pen and laid back down. Turns out it's 5 F out. . . I let the ducks back into their pen. They are annoyed with me.

Stupid human needs to just leave the ducks alone.

 

[Amiga]

Yup, 5F. Too cold for Runners to be out. MIne have only wanted to go out a couple of times a day, and only for about ten minutes while I do a quick room service. It's in the upper teens F. here.

 

[Gone-Quackers]

Hmm, the first two days I found eggs they were hatched really early (before 6 am). Yesterday there wasn't an egg at 5:40 am when I left for work but was an egg when I came home. I suspect the same situation today. Does this mean I have more than one duck laying? I'm only finding one egg/day for the past 3 days (don't know about today yet) however as a kid our individual ducks/chickens seemed to lay at the same time every day. Anyone else have similar experiences?

 

[Amiga]

Hmm, the first two days I found eggs they were hatched really early (before 6 am). Yesterday there wasn't an egg at 5:40 am when I left for work but was an egg when I came home. I suspect the same situation today. Does this mean I have more than one duck laying? I'm only finding one egg/day for the past 3 days (don't know about today yet) however as a kid our individual ducks/chickens seemed to lay at the same time every day. Anyone else have similar experiences?

Ducks can have quite a bit of variation in when they lay eggs. Mine used to lay between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., then sometimes in the afternoon, and now rarely before 8 a.m.

 

[Gone-Quackers]

Interesting. . Today is day 4 of laying eggs and no egg today as of 1 pm. I'll check again when I get home tonight and do duck chores. I got plans for the eggs, big plans so I hope they all start laying soon. Hey, I even gave them part of my salad last night! Surely a lettuce and tomato mix counts as a bribe?

Are your ducks laying Amiga?

 

[Amiga]

Rowena, my little black duck (Cayuga? BEI? There is some debate, as she is adopted) is laying a few each week. Mostly on days that are above freezing. Her laying is definitely affected by temperature.

I also know that there seems to be more egg laying in general when there is regularly salad on the menu.

 

[Gone-Quackers]

Rowena, my little black duck (Cayuga? BEI? There is some debate, as she is adopted) is laying a few each week. Mostly on days that are above freezing. Her laying is definitely affected by temperature.

I also know that there seems to be more egg laying in general when there is regularly salad on the menu.

I think I need to buy more salad. Unless you're joking?

 

[Amiga]

Not joking.

This time of year I sprout wheat seeds for them. Sometimes I feed them as sprouts, sometimes I let them green up a little - the ducks seem to appreciate leafy green things this time of year. Lettuce cores are appreciated also (but make sure you don't have any doofus ducks that choke on things - I have watched mine numerous times and they seem to be able to handle lettuce cores responsibly).

It seems to me a little less expensive to sprout things for the ducks - but I still do purchase greens for them sometimes when I am feeling flush.

Not joking. Really. This is how I think….