When do duckling start laying?

Around 20 weeks I think.

4mths is the least that said most lay around 5-6mths.. truly depends on the aging.. late summer babies likely will not lay that fall...

I have had some lay as early as 4mths... and others later on... being seasonal layers there are variances and the breed plays a role too. For instance my calls have ceased for the season.

Sylviaanne said:

My ducklings are as big as their parents but are only 11 weeks old. When should they start laying eggs? BTW: I'm in no hurry cause I think they are either all 4 girls or one drake and 3 hens.

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Possibly stupid question - what breed/species of ducklings?

EeyoreD said:

Possibly stupid question - what breed/species of ducklings?

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LOL I thought there were no stupid questions?
They are a mix. Don't know which one is their mother, 2 Pekin hens, 1 Indian Runner hen and Drake is a Cayuga.

Our runners typically start anywhere from 14 weeks and up!

I have a similar question. I have a couple pekins, about 5 months old. I don't believe they have started laying yet. But they have run of my yard during the day. A small wooded area w/ a "creek" that is dry most the time.
Will they lay in their house? Or will they choose some random spot? (They are locked up from sundown til about 8am)

They will primarily lay before 8-9 am. It's more the time then location. But if given free range they may return to their house to lay, or just wherever they are standing unless they are getting broody.

Sylviaanne said:

LOL I thought there were no stupid questions?
They are a mix. Don't know which one is their mother, 2 Pekin hens, 1 Indian Runner hen and Drake is a Cayuga.

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Oh there aren't, I just always feel stupid

My runners were supposed to start laying around 5 months but they hit 5 months at about the time that last winter sucked (late september). They didn't lay until spring. And then laid and laid and laid - I just couldn't find half of them.

You have a large drake and mostly (excepting the runners) large females. I'm not familiar with any of those breeds but runners, but given your mix I'm not sure you can go by size.

Regardless, given your mix, I imagine when they do start laying (if you can find the eggs) you're going to have a ton!

EeyoreD said:

Oh there aren't, I just always feel stupid

My runners were supposed to start laying around 5 months but they hit 5 months at about the time that last winter sucked (late september). They didn't lay until spring. And then laid and laid and laid - I just couldn't find half of them.

You have a large drake and mostly (excepting the runners) large females. I'm not familiar with any of those breeds but runners, but given your mix I'm not sure you can go by size.

Regardless, given your mix, I imagine when they do start laying (if you can find the eggs) you're going to have a ton!

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I just can't tell if the ducklings are male or female. 2 of them squawk like my oldest Pekin hen. Sound just like her. I though when they were babies they all might be hens but then it seemed like the grey one was acting like a drake but not now. I have one grey with a white bib and 3 black with white bibs. Now, it is one of the black ones acting like a drake. No mounting yet, though.

All 3 of my hens lay like they were machines. The 2 not sitting on the nest lay one a day EVERY day. Sometimes one in the morning and one at night but always 2. Wish we liked boiled or fried duck eggs. LOL