At what age do you start collecting fertile eggs from ducks?

julie at serenity · **Posted:** Wed May 26, 2010 8:35 am

I have been wondering about the collection of fertile eggs from young ducks......

I know that "chook" people have various opinions as to the pros and cons of hatching eggs from pullets v's hens......

What about the "duck" people......please note...I am not just referring to pretty backyard ducks......I am aiming for the greatest potential in ducklings.....eg; size,vigour etc...I should also ask about the age of drakes

all comments appreciated

andre · **Joined:** Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:21 pm **Posts:** 612

If the ducks are well nourished and the eggs are up to normal size for the breed, then collect away. I'd reckon that would be about 8 months of age. Drakes are probably fertile from about five and a half months.

Muscovy J · **Posted:** Wed May 26, 2010 11:57 pm

hi,
i only ever try to hatch out ducklings from between late september to november , as i feel that is when i get the best size ducklings ,

ducklings from early in the season grow out bigger birds , than birds hatched in cooler months,

regards jase

julie at serenity · **Posted:** Thu May 27, 2010 8:18 am

thanks for these comments.......

do you think closely line bred, or even in bred ducks grow bigger?

Muscovy J · **Posted:** Thu May 27, 2010 8:18 pm

julie at serenity wrote:

thanks for these comments.......

do you think closely line bred, or even in bred ducks grow bigger?

hi ,
were you are in qld , ducklings do grow out better than here as the weather is warmer ,

i think a outcross in your birds is the way to go to get bigger birds , go for big hens ,

with my mussies i only breed from large hens as the size comes from the ducks more so than the drake ,

and i only hatch out here from lat september early october as then my ducklings have a chance to grow out better ,

julie at serenity · **Posted:** Fri May 28, 2010 5:38 pm

thanks

clarkson · **Joined:** Fri May 28, 2010 4:20 pm **Posts:** 3

I have hatched Pekin eggs from 7 months old ducks and the ducklings were fine no deformities or anything

Roova · **Posted:** Sat May 29, 2010 9:35 am

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think deformities was a worry hatching from pullet eggs, rather that the egg isn't at peak size so may not produce a duckling which has the potential to grow to full size? If it starts small, it may end small.

I think also it can take a couple of weeks for the duck/chook's reproductive system to get going and once this happens you get less misshapen or small eggs. You wouldn't really want to hatch a duckling or chicken from an egg which wasn't as good as it could be, as you might not be giving the little tyke the best start.

Wanneroo Waterfowl · **Joined:** Sat May 29, 2010 3:25 pm **Posts:** 2

I would agree with Muscovy Jase. Tha age and time of year are both equalliy important and the size will depend of timing as said

Muscovy J · **Posted:** Sun May 30, 2010 10:49 pm

if collecting from first time layers, the eggs will be small mishapen and also may be soft, after a couple of weeks the eggs layed will be all normal sized

ducklings from them will all be normal ,

Roova is spot on, thanks for the info ,

but if wanting to get bigger birds use large frame hens ,

regards jase

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