Kitchen Garden Forum

Whilst reading about Alan about to tuck in to a freshly laid duck egg,I wondered if ducks were all year round layers or were they seasonal i.e.just in the breeding season?I know that some breeds of chicken can produce around 300 eggs in a year but I have no idea how many a duck will produce.
And then there are geese..............

Bore da Snooky

As with so many things, the answer is: "It all depends...".

As with birds in general, ducks naturally lay most during the spring and early summer (i.e. when the drakes are strutting their stuff). However, breeds specially selected for laying (notably Khaki Campbells) can lay up to 300 eggs a year (slowing down in the winter).

Geese have been much less developed for egg laying (being a meat bird), so lay in the natural way - breeding season.

Thanks for the info.,Alan,it has cleared up things for me.In my travels I often see both hens and duck eggs for sale,advertised outside homes and I do buy duck eggs in spring,now I will buy them year round.

Update

Since my first post my three young White Campbells have all come on lay and are laying an egg each per day. Looks like 21 eggs a week till the autumn.

I have to say i find that most impressive, Alan.

You will now get people visiting again that you haven't seen since last season.