Small eggs, or just young ?

P

Pulpstar

New member
Joined
Oct 1, 2012
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Hi,

Everywhere I have read that duck eggs from indian runners are ~ 3 oz, but all my eggs so far are 2 oz (56 gram) or just under. Also I have 2 ducks but can't tell if one or both are laying. I've tried turning them over but can't tell from that 2/4 finger thing (Not sure how to do it), they are all laid in the same place pretty much and are 49 - 56 grams.

So is it likely to be both ducks or just the one - they are ~ 6 months old now and I've had ~ 12 eggs in total.

Will they get any bigger, is just one laying or both..

Here is a pic of them:http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/545400_10151230273475342_1751811209_n.jpg Jim (In the pool) obviously won't lay ;)

Edit, the tip of Jemimah's bill (The white duck) is pale - I think she is laying but I have no clue at all to tell if Puddle (THe apricot one) is also laying !

- also the eggs are a very very very light blue (Pretty much white) (Here they are - doesn't show up too well in the photo though (THe colour) http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/548338_10151230285295342_1575312504_n.jpg
 
This may sound like a silly question but do you get 1 or 2 eggs a day?
I wouldn't worry about size, all ducks are different :)
They are very beautiful!
Zo
 
Thanks !

Well they are both laying now as I got two eggs for the first time this morning.
 
THanks for the replies.

Well the ducks are still laying, normal size is ~58-62 grams. Jemima laid a giant one - 88 grams :o ! (Which turned out to be a double yoker), but sadly she has laid 2 eggs without soft shells :(

Question - Are the soft egg shell eggs edible, I have one (It was laid yesterday - her 2nd egg for the day) and is in my egg box ? I chucked the first one but the insides are the same - or is there a health reason I can't 'snip' the shell and cook it (Obviously it is not a viable chick, but I am not asking that :D )

Puddle has been laying too, though recently her last couple of eggs are very small ! (Under 40 grams) and slightly misshapen. :(

Now couple more questions I have layers pellets and mixed corn, I bought the mixed corn as the chap who sold my layer's pellets said it would be alright when I asked about wheat - but I think the higher calories means the ducks are perhaps neglecting their pellets slightly - though perhaps their reproductive systems are still getting in order, they are quite young after all. Anyway I'd like to get hold of some pure wheat (Concerned Jim maybe gets a bit too much calcium from the pellets) as mentioned in the FAQ, but I think my supplier only does mixed corn (I guess he is more chicken oriented). I live near Sheffield - anyone with any ideas :-)07 ? :-)09

Also I'd like to get a bowl for outdoors with a 'roof' anyone know anything that is available for a reasonable (Sub £20) from a hardware or garden store - so the pellets don't spoil if it rains ?

Thanks,

James
 
I know nothing about ducks but certainly there's no problem eating soft eggs from chickens, the inside of the egg is exactly the same, perfectly clean and edible if the membrane is intact, it's just that it's not coated with shell, which I suppose is really to make it strong enough to sit on.
As for the roof over the feeder bowl, maybe you could find an old table or similar, or make a low shelter the ducks could get underneath, and place the bowl under there to keep dry?
 
Just the one egg today, but it is 93 grams or 3 1/4 ounce :-)08 to Puddle this time
 
Hiya :)
It is important to only let them have an egg cup full of mixed corn a day, this is not a complete feed it should be given as a treat only. They should be getting 170-200g of duck pellets a day. Don't worry about the fella, layers are fine for him too. Leave oyster shell out for them and the girls will take what they need. Soft shell eggs can be a result of infection or an incorrect calcium to phosphorus ratio in the diet. It is very hard to figure it out. As long as they don't look uncomfortable or lay soft shells all the time I would not worry. The shell gland may also not be working properly.
The shell makes it easier for the duck to pass the egg, soft shell eggs are uncomfortable and hard to pass and if one breaks inside you can get egg peritonitis which can be fatal in a short space of time.
So.. feed pellets as the main diet, corn and veggies as treats in the afternoon only and don't feed anything too high in calcium such as spinach or too much protein such as mealworms.
If she continues to lay soft shells then a trip to the vet to check for infection would be sensible.
Zo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top