Ducks are not chickens! They lay on the ground and will even drop their eggs right where they are. We are in the Pacific Northwest so we have figured out wood chips are our friend. We can get these from our local tree companies at no cost. They are happy for the disposal site. WE let them sit in the yard and soak up all the wet gook that is going to happen that day. Ducks lay in the morning mainly so it is important to collect the eggs by 10 am if you want them to be clean. Feed your ducks nice and early to get things going.
The breed you choose is important because not every duck lays the same. The diet and water are important. Give them hay and duck feed and lots of water. Put the hay in a barrel on its side because ducks like to lay in a tunnel like environment. Hatch your eggs until you have plenty of ducks on hand so you can keep the eggs coming!
The eggs need to be refrigerated so they stay fresh. Store them with the pointy side down and they should last about 6 weeks in the fridge. Only 2 on the counter. We use a little bit of cayenne pepper in the water to get the ducks moving a little bit. It seems to work!
