How to Raise Organic Duck Eggs

Learn how to raise duck eggs.

As people learn more about the health benefits of eating organic foods, the demand for organic duck eggs is slowly increasing. Organic duck eggs are very nutritious, bigger, more creamy and richer in flavor than normal chicken eggs. Learning how to raise organic ducks could be an easy and cost-effective business opportunity.

Things You'll Need

• Fencing
• Duck shelter
• Pond (optional)
• Shavings or straw
• Duck feed
• Water

Instructions

Getting the Farm Ready

1. 

   Protect your ducks from predators.

   Put up a fence to keep the ducks in and the predators out. As the most organic option will be free-range ducks, give them enough space to roam.

2. 

   Build your organic ducks a shelter.

   Put up a sturdy shelter within the fenced area for your ducks. It needs be enclosed for protection against animals that prey on defenseless ducklings. It should also be in a warm, dry place that is well-drained, draft-free and easily accessible to the ducks. Supply ample ventilation. If you wish to extend the ducks' laying period, you can add artificial lighting. Bed the shelter floor with shavings or straw.

3. Put up feeders and a watering device for your ducks. Provide enough space to avoid trampling, and keep the watering device away from the ducks' bedding. If you're leaving out water for ducklings, keep the water no higher than 1/4 inch to prevent the babies from drowning.

4. 

   Your organic ducks will need a properly balanced diet.

   Stock up on duck pellets. There are several brands of organic layers pellets on the market. Ducks also like fruits, vegetables, worms and small insects. Fruits should be finely chopped. The ducks, especially the babies, can choke on big pieces, as they have no teeth.

Raising Your Ducks

1. 

   Buy organic hens to raise organic duck eggs.

   Buy your ducks or ducklings. If you only want eggs, get yourself a couple of hens. You don't have to buy drakes unless you want to raise ducklings. The best egg-laying breeds are the commercial hybrids, the Indian runners and the khaki Campbells.

2. 

   Hay or straw makes the best duck bedding.

   Keep the ducks' shelter clean. Add fresh bedding to the shelter on a daily basis, and clean out the litter about once a week.

3. 

   Ducklings and egg layers need more protein.

   Keep your ducks on the correct diet. According to the Duck Rescue Network, ducklings need a diet that is 18 to 20 percent protein during their first three weeks of life. From then up until the 13th week, ducklings need a diet containing 14 percent protein. After that females can be put on a diet of layer pellet or crumble. Drakes and ducks that are not laying should maintain a 14 percent protein diet. Layer or breeder diets are best for ducks that are laying. They need a diet that is about 16 to 17 percent in protein and higher in calcium.

4. 

   If your ducks have access to dirt, they won't need grit.

   Sprinkle a bit of grit on the duck food about once a week. If your ducks live in an area that has dirt, they will pick up the tiny stones from the ground, and feeding grit isn't necessary.

5. 

   Healthy ducks means more organic duck eggs.

   Keep a close eye on your ducks' health. The Duck Rescue Network says ducks hide illness very well. You won't be raising any organic duck eggs, if your ducks are sick. Don't overcrowd them, and don't feed them bread or crackers. According to the Duck Rescue Network, these human foods will cause their organs to become "engorged and fatty," which causes health problems. If you keep your ducks well-fed and healthy, they should be laying eggs in no time.

6. 

   You must be certified organic to sell your ducks and eggs as "organic."

   Get your farm inspected and certified if you want to sell organic eggs commercially. In order to be certified organic, your farming system must rely on ecologically correct practices like biological and cultural pest management. You must not use any synthetic chemicals. No antibiotics or hormones are allowed in certified organic livestock production.

Tips & Warnings

• Feed your ducks only organic food. Use organic chick starter or duck starter to feed your ducklings.

• It takes 28 days for duck eggs to hatch.

• The best poultry waterers have a jar that sits in the middle and automatically dispenses the water into a moat that surrounds it.

• If your duck eggs are continuously pitted or if the shells are excessively thin, then you can add crushed oyster shell to the laying ducks' diet to fix the problem.

• The bedding on the floor of the shelter needs to be an absorbent material like hay or straw. Wood chips and wood shavings can potentially cause a health hazard, as the ducks will most likely try to eat them.

• Medicated feeds that are for other birds or animals can be toxic for your ducks. Feeding oyster shells to drakes or non-laying ducks can give them kidney disease. Feeding your ducks food that is insect-ridden or moldy can make them ill.

References

• Cornell University: Duck Housing and Management
• University of Missouri: Brooding and Rearing Ducklings and Goslings
• USDA: Organic Certification
• EntrePinoys ATbp: Duck Raising Business Guide
• Duck Rescue Network: Duck Care Tips

Resources

• USDA Economic Research Service: Organic Data