How do I get my ducks to lay in a nest?

Greetings Duck friends. I'm new to ducks...and only have 6....one Pekin, 1 mallard, 4 runners. I hatched them last summer so this is their first winter. To my amazment and thrill, yesterday I discovered 3 eggs!!!!! The first ones I've ever gotten from them....I just can't tell you how exiciting it was to find those! (Not really sure why, but just seemed like a prize! ha). Sadly, because they were in an area that I don't go to every day, they were frozen hard and cracked. Worse yet, though, they had just been laid right out in the open ground, and not even together, though I do think they were from the same duck. ANYWAY....here is my question: what can I do to encourage her (or them) to lay future eggs in a nest of some kind. You should know that I already built a small box out of plywood that is about 3 ft high, 3 ft long, and 3 ft wide. It has a roof and has some hay in it. IT SEEMS PERFECT TO ME!!!!! But I've never once seen a duck go into it, and even though it is within 30 feet of the eggs I found, she clearly had no interest in using it. oh...my ducks are basically free range, though there are no woods for them. They are in a pasture and sometimes get out, but almost anywhere they go is mowed short....no cover. Thats why I thought they would use the wood box I made for them. For what its worth, they also have access to a small barn but almost never use it...even when it gets really cold. Again, I would have thought they would have laid eggs in there perhaps, but no. Any suggestions? Where do your ducks lay eggs? Should I make a different kind of box/next? I just hate having them plop eggs out on the ground. Not only because they get wasted, but when spring comes I really want them to hate a place to lay and sit. OH...I should also tell you that the place they laid all 3 eggs was within a few feet of my pond. But my box is in the same general area.
Confused!
Kevin

When my ducks started laying i was quite excited as well! i also made a nesting box that they didn't touch, but one of my friends told me to lock them in the box every night for about 4 days to teach them to go back to the box and lay or sleep. so i did this experiment and had great results! they grew to like my cheap box and laid they're delicious eggs in them.

I've never really tried to force mine to lay in a certain area, I've read that others have called it more like an Easter Egg Hunt every day. That is about the truth of it here.

My ducks lay at the door in their house just before sunrise, it is a very good habit as I don't have to crawl inside for the eggs.

When many ducks start laying they tend to plop them down anywhere. Do they have a nighttime house? I'd make a nesting area in there. A little darkened but not completely black area will usually work. Dig a depression in the ground and put some nesting materials there. Put a fake egg shaped object in the nest. Golf balls work.

My hens lay in upside down totes that I cut doors in. Though on of them decided she liked the chicken's nests better. My ducks will return from foraging to lay their eggs. I start this type of "training" as soon as they are approaching egg laying age. I don't want to hunt for eggs and I don't want someone going broody in an unsecured area.

kelseysfowl said:

When my ducks started laying i was quite excited as well! i also made a nesting box that they didn't touch, but one of my friends told me to lock them in the box every night for about 4 days to teach them to go back to the box and lay or sleep. so i did this experiment and had great results! they grew to like my cheap box and laid they're delicious eggs in them.

 

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Did you lock them in the nesting box, or just in there coop and the nesting box was inside the coop? Also do you have a picture of the box? Thanks

Sometimes I just put a decoy egg where I want them to lay - works pretty well.

I will sacrifice a day or two's collection, and once my Girls see their eggs left in a spot, they lay there without fail.

"I will sacrifice a day or two's collection, and once my Girls see their eggs left in a spot, they lay there without fail - HollyDuckFarmer."

How long do you leave their eggs in that
spot?

I have learned that, when I collect the
eggs that I find, the ducks look for another
place to lay their eggs... I can no longer
find their hiding places.... (10 acre property
with a very large pond)

I have 7 hens and 8 drakes and they are
in a coop at night. Have found a couple
of eggs in their coop in the mornings...

when I collect them, it will be at least a week
before I find any more in the coop....

so, I just got 7 porcelain eggs (sure hope that
the ducks are colour blind - the eggs are
brown - only ones available) and have been
putting them into their coop in place of their
laid eggs....

what happens when I run out of decoys?

thank you many bunches for your insights
and support.

Karen

Mine like to half bury theirs. I'd like them in the same general spot please, even if they are half buried at least I'd know where!!