Poultry

Gathering duck eggs

I have several ducks laying eggs in a floating duck house. During summer months, how long a period of time do I have to collect the eggs before they would be unsafe to consume?

Safe handling of eggs means prompt gathering, washing and proper chilling a few hours after laying. The nutrients that make eggs a high-quality food are also a good growth medium for bacteria. Bacteria also need moisture, a favorable temperature and time in order to multiply and increase the risk of illness. Rapid bacterial growth can occur between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

In the environment you have described, types of harmful microorganisms could be deposited along with dirt on the outside of these eggs. So, I would suggest that best choice to protect yourself and your family would be to discard these eggs. If you wish to use eggs produced by the ducks, a good procedure would be to gather the new eggs frequently (at least daily, preferably more often) and discard eggs that are unclean, cracked, broken or leaking, while making sure you and your family members use good hygiene practices, including properly washing your hands. Store the fresh eggs in refrigeration and follow good practices usually recommended for chicken table eggs.

Jesse Lyons
Animal Sciences

Rooster breed

I have a small egg-laying flock. Recently I purchased two chicks that were supposed to be black sex-link hens but turned out to be some type of ornate rooster. How can I identify their breed?

There is no breed registry for poultry. Standard breeds are based on description and appearance and not linage. If, for example, a chicken looks the most like a Single Comb White Leghorn, then it could be called or labeled as such. Another thing you have probably noticed is variation in the appearance of sometimes close relatives and that in some breeds the coloration of the bird changes with age and in some breeds the male and female develop different coloration as the chicks mature.

A reference book used for poultry shows is Standard of Perfection published by the American Poultry Association which might be available at your local library.

Jesse Lyons
Animal Sciences

Protecting poultry from bird flu

What do you recommend for protecting 4-H poultry projects from bird flu?

The main thing small flock owners can do to protect their poultry from bird flu is to confine birds so there is no chance of contact with wild birds, especially migratory waterfowl. These will be the primary source of infection, though it may be possible for other species to be infected.

Jeff Firman
Animal Sciences

Buying chicks, ducks and guineas

Where do you recommend I purchase chicks, ducks and guineas?

The Missouri Department of Agriculture's Poultry Yearbook PDF is an excellent source of hatchery information. It lists participants in the National Poultry Improvement Plan, which is administered through the Poultry Health Program of the Animal Health Division, Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Jesse Lyons
Animal Sciences