When did your Pekins start laying?

[Miss Lydia]

My Brown Chinese Goose actually laid more eggs than my Mallards last year. I think I was up to 55 eggs when she finally gave it a break.

Now watch me fall over in a faint,

what in the world would I do with that many goose eggs, my dh won't even eat duck eggs. Oh and zoowee don't get Muscovies then because they aren't known for being the best eggs layers mine only lay from usually April til Sept. and they aren't laying now so they are already falling behind.

 

[zooweemama]

Now watch me fall over in a faint,

what in the world would I do with that many goose eggs, my dh won't even eat duck eggs. Oh and zoowee don't get Muscovies then because they aren't known for being the best eggs layers mine only lay from usually April til Sept. and they aren't laying now so they are already falling behind.

Ok done deal. We have plenty of pets that we feed and get companionship for- our birds have jobs. So no Muscovy for us. We are not likely to eat duck so we would be feeding them half the year with no 'pay back'. Which we cannot afford. Thanks so much Miss Lydia!

 

[zooweemama]

Now watch me fall over in a faint, what in the world would I do with that many goose eggs, my dh won't even eat duck eggs. Oh and zoowee don't get Muscovies then because they aren't known for being the best eggs layers mine only lay from usually April til Sept. and they aren't laying now so they are already falling behind.

RIGHT?? I was like shoot that's like worth 100 duck eggs! rofl!

 

[Dianuzhka]

i would eat them!!! le me and my Husband are egg lovers... and i work with my family in a restaurant, we use a 28 carton a day +/- .... they already joke about me bringing the ducks eggs to work, if i had the space i would totally do it, wouldn't that be awesome? organic eggs in a restaurant.
to bad scovys are not good layers... but they sure are quiet

 

[Kevin565]

Now watch me fall over in a faint,

what in the world would I do with that many goose eggs, my dh won't even eat duck eggs. Oh and zoowee don't get Muscovies then because they aren't known for being the best eggs layers mine only lay from usually April til Sept. and they aren't laying now so they are already falling behind.

. I had so many left overs I ended up incorporating them into the dog's diets. So far no complaints

 

[Duckmom1980]

My Pekins are 25 weeks. I still haven't seen any eggs. It's been hot, would this discourage egg laying?

 

[zooweemama]

Maybe! Hopefully that's what has mine all messed up. It's been 100-110 degrees so I know they are good and toasty!

 

[ducklucky]

Okay now, writing in red to bring everyone's attention. Have 12 Pekin ducks, 1 drake Pekin (not Jumbo). First egg was at 18 weeks, switched from grower to layer pellets right away with their mix of cracked corn, whole oats, and whatever else, they range for a couple of hours a day (have hawk issue, saw a fox today).
Anyway, the eggs came on, right away. One more each day, some days 8-9. ANYWAY, I have a broody duck!!! at just under 21 weeks. She has taken over the dog crate, she allows everyone to come in and lay, just like a chicken. She has built her nest up to where you can hardly see her, she almost had herself so covered in hay today all I could see was her head poking out. She knows when it's time to go out, she will build it up even more to try to hide the eggs I guess. She's the last one out, and the first one in, and goes right to her nest. It is immaculate and dry and a perfectly formed nest. She must be mother material. Not the right time of the year for it, but I'm going to leave her with 2 eggs besides the fake ones, and maybe a couple more for a day or two. Would be fun to have some babies around come fall, she seems like she would take care if she is being so attentive now.
Has anyone had this happen so early??? I am amazed. Calendaring everything of course. Should I eventually take the fake ones out, don't want to distress her, but maybe the no sign of life thing might disturb her and make her give up. What do you think my chances are? Would like it to happen naturally, and won't be too upset if it doesn't. She seems to be a leader, coming in earlier every day to check her nest, sometimes going back out for a bit. Doing nothing extra special other than peas every other day and whatever treats I have in leftovers, and of course, singing Rubber Ducky to them. Am I doing something right or wrong? Is all of this early stuff harmful? How many do you think I should give her? The drake is quite rambunctious, sure he's gotten every one of them at least once a day.
Any advice would be appreciated, and to all of you waiting, waiting, waiting, hang in there. Don't know if switching to layer at the first egg helped bring it all on, but always did that with the chickens with much success. Maybe them hanging out with the chickens did something, they are becoming quite attached, will go and sit by their run til they come out, share food and conversation. Please anyone, is there something wrong with this, or are they just very happy ducks????

 

[ducklucky]

Are you at a high altitude? Maybe that's got something to do with it. Do they range, if so, check around, they (eggs) may be out there. Found 2 in their pool this week, and in the late afternoon. Do they have any varmints disturbing them? So many factors, but sure it will come soon, and BE READY! Your hb doesn't have to know what eggs he's getting, bet if you did a blind taste test, couldn't tell the dif. They are delicious, only dif is they are richer. If you look online at duck vs chicken egg nutrition, duck are higher in cholesterol, but have many, many more vitamins and minerals than chicken, and some that chickens' don't even have. Maybe that could be your selling point. Wonderful for baking, nice rich baked goods, moister than chicken. The dogs love them, always give them damaged or soft ones, even the cat likes them. Guess you gotta start baking if hb refuses to eat them, try them yourself and you will see how yummy they are. You'll be busy in the oven for sure LOL Suggestion, quiches and such, no one will ever know

 

[ducklucky]

Had this also when we ran a general store, had about 70 hens, abundance of eggs. Unless we were certified with state (Maine) for eggs at our farm, we were not supposed to sell them from display case in the store. Would take requests from customers and sell them, but did not display them or mix them with other inventory. Did use some in our cooking, our customers always commented on how fresh our eggs tasted. Always made sure they were fresh, clean and undamaged. Geeze, nobody got sick, amazing huh? Saved a few bucks in cost too We simply put a little sign up saying fresh free range eggs for sale. Think as long as they are not mixed with the regular stock commercial eggs, there is no law broken, the inspectors just want to know if someone gets sick where they came from. If your farm is certified, you can use any egg you want in your restaurant.