Laying ducks| laying ducks for sale– A Quick Start Guide to Raising Ducks
Khaki Campbell
The Khaki Campbell duck is arguably the most famous egg-laying duck breed. Originating in England, these ducks are renowned for their exceptional egg production. Khaki Campbells are known to lay up to 300 eggs per year, which is quite impressive for a duck. They have a lovely khaki-colored plumage, making them both practical and attractive additions to your flock.
Commonly referred to as the Khaki Campbell because of its tan color, the Campbell is unquestionably one of the best duck breeds to raise for eggs—these ducks have been known to lay as many as 340 eggs per year. Campbells are active foragers and well-suited to a variety of climates, making them an ideal breed for hobby farmers throughout the world. According to Dave Holderread, author of Storey’s Guide to Raising Ducks (Storey Publishing, 2nd edition 2011), Campbells are happiest when they receive an adequate diet, calm environment, and plenty of grazing space, and are part of a flock of less than 200 birds. Be aware that crossbreeds sold as Campbells may not lay as well, so ensure the breed’s authenticity when acquiring your animals.
Ducks are social waterfowl that lay a lot of eggs! Consider raising ducks for eggs in your backyard. Ducks are becoming more popular as a hobby farm animal, and duck eggs are part of the reason. But which ducks are best for egg production?. Ducks are amazing egg layers, and that’s a fact. But these breeds right here are just way better at the job than most others.
Care of laying ducks
Ducks lay their eggs in the early morning. An average duck egg weighs about 65-70 g. Ducks normally lay when they are about 5-6 months of age. Peak production is obtained 5-6 weeks after commencement of lay. A photoperiod of 14 hours is considered optimum for inducing high egg production. Ducks are fed only twice in a day – one in the morning and the other in the evening.
The quantity to be fed is that which can be cleared in about 10-15 minutes time. Layer ducks can be fed with mash or pellets. It is preferable to feed wet mash. The feed should have 18% protein and 2650 K cal/kg of ME. The feeder space suggested is 10 cm/duck. Under intensive system a floor space of 3710 to 4650 cm2 per duck is essential, but in cages it can be reduced to 1350 cm2.
In semi-intensive system, a floor space of 2790 cm2 in the night shelter and 929 to 1395 cm2 as outside run per bird would be adequate. Layer ducks must be provided with nest boxes. A nest box measuring 30 cm wide, 45 cm deep and 30 cm high would be sufficient. One nest box for every three layers has to be provided.
Raising Ducks for Eggs
Your hens will start laying eggs at about 20 weeks of age. Like many other poultry, proper nutrition, low stress, and light can affect a duck’s laying.
Ducks do not need nest boxes and often prefer to make their own nest in dark corner of their house or in under brush in the yard. We use straw for bedding in our duck house since it makes for a nice egg nest.
Ducks tend to lay in the early morning. We keep our ducks locked in their run until about 10 am every day, that way we don’t have to go on an egg hunt all over the property to find eggs.
This color-changing handy egg timer is a fantastic tool to help you hard boil the perfect eggs every time! The timer automatically self-adjusts every time.