Is it safe to eat duck eggs laid in water?

[Kmadkisson]

I have 4 free range female Mallards that are 6 months old. They started laying this week and I’ve found the majority of their eggs in their kiddie pools. This is my first time raising ducks and the goal is to eat/sell their eggs. I have only female ducks but they do visit the neighbors farm where they are possibly around male ducks. How do I make sure that the eggs are safe to eat? If they are in the water I’ve just assumed they are not safe to eat because I wasn’t sure. If they are fertilized but are gathered that same day how would I know? Any advice about duck eggs is greatly appreciated!

 

[KaleIAm]

I wouldn't eat them because the shells are porous.

Can you keep your ducks inside their coop a little later in the morning until they are done laying? I got my ducks, not mallards, dummy eggs, and they love to put their eggs with the dummy eggs. I just drop the dummy eggs in a corner, and they make a nest around them. Then I take the real eggs and leave the fake.

 

[m0ther_g00se]

I’ve eaten eggs found in water before (we had a slough that filled up after floods and I’d find eggs in there) and they didn’t show any obvious signs of spoilage, so I washed them off and ate them. I called them Bog Eggs. My parents on the other hand, did not eat the Bog Eggs, like responsible people or something. They were also mildly afraid of them. I didn’t get sick though. They were like any other egg I’d had.
Just in case, you probably shouldn’t eat them, though. I have no real scientific backing for my choices, and it’s probably safer not to eat eggs laid in questionable places.

 

[KaleIAm]

I’ve eaten eggs found in water before (we had a slough that filled up after floods and I’d find eggs in there) and they didn’t show any obvious signs of spoilage, so I washed them off and ate them. I called them Bog Eggs. My parents on the other hand, did not eat the Bog Eggs, like responsible people or something. They were also mildly afraid of them. I didn’t get sick though. They were like any other egg I’d had.
Just in case, you probably shouldn’t eat them, though. I have no real scientific backing for my choices, and it’s probably safer not to eat eggs laid in questionable places.

Bold.

 

[raingarden]

That's gross.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

As said by @KaleIAm the shells are porous, wise move not to eat them, the protective bloom washes off and they can absorb the contents of the fecal soup they are floating in. I even tend to avoid yard eggs unless positive they were freshly laid within 24 hrs and not wet and filthy.

 

[Callender Girl]

When my ducks and geese decide to plop eggs in the kiddie pool or a deep puddle, I toss out the eggs just in case.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I’ve eaten eggs found in water before (we had a slough that filled up after floods and I’d find eggs in there) and they didn’t show any obvious signs of spoilage, so I washed them off and ate them. I called them Bog Eggs. My parents on the other hand, did not eat the Bog Eggs, like responsible people or something. They were also mildly afraid of them. I didn’t get sick though. They were like any other egg I’d had.
Just in case, you probably shouldn’t eat them, though. I have no real scientific backing for my choices, and it’s probably safer not to eat eggs laid in questionable places.

Builds strong immunity.

 

[Inga73]

I eat my duck eggs if they're laid anywhere except in water! Even if they're a bit dirty, the bloom should protect them. I have a few drakes and can say for certain, fertilized eggs are no different for eating. The only difference is that they will eventually develop if sat on for long enough

 

[indianaducks]

I have drakes thus have fertilized eggs. As long as I collect them daily we eat them. My mallards are not laying right now (my others are), but in the warmer weather when the mallards do lay, they like to hold it and try to lay after I let them out... and go find a hiding place. So I don't always eat their eggs unless I'm positive its a fresh egg. I don't think I'd personally eat eggs laid in water.