10-month-old indian runners have not started laying

[chickens really]

Thanks, I will try oyster shell and see how it goes. Is there any chance they will never lay eggs no matter what I do?

No...Highly doubtful if they are Hens and not Drakes.

 

[krasi]

I am sure only two are drakes from the curly feathers near their tales and their lack of "quack", also their coloring. So far the boys are perfect gentlemen but we'll see how long that lasts! OK I will keep waiting then. Thank you all for the replies!

 

[Duckworth]

Oyster shell is for active layers. It won't bring on laying. It's hard on organs if feed before actually laying.

My apologies. I didn’t mean to imply that oyster shell would bring on laying, just that the ducks would benefit from having it available free choice so that they can get what they need when they need it.

Only one of my ducks laid through most of the winter, so not much oyster shell got eaten. But within the past week, they have all started taking some from the bowl, so I am hoping that signals that they will begin laying again soon. Last year, they all started in early to mid-February, so day length may be the biggest factor, but this year’s snowy and overcast weather where I live may be affecting them, too.

 

[EdgewaterDucks]

Hi Krasi. I too started a thread on this forum a couple weeks ago inquiring when my ducks would start laying again after the winter. My plan is to post an update as soon as they do. But that hasn't happened yet! My drake is certainly frisky again, and the girls are nibbling the oyster shell, but nothing so far. It's still cold here, so that might something to do with it, though daylight is longer. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/when-will-ducks-start-laying-again.1291964/

 

[Miss Lydia]

Got my first Runner egg today they took a much need rest

 

[DuckyDonna]

I sat and watched my young runner drake in the pool with 2 of the girls today. So I'm thinking that he's going to get some action finally. Nope, he swam around and preened while the girls mounted each other. He was completely oblivious!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Still maturing!

 

[Kkrista123]

They do not need access to water at night at all, sorry I scared you!!! I was only asking because my duck lives indoors. She is a new layer and lays once a day. I give her constant access to food and water. Sometimes I refill her water at lunch time and she runs out just as I fall asleep. I tend to notice the days she runs out of water at night right when I am falling asleep, she usually won't lay an egg that morning. Just an odd observation.
Any update on eggs?

 

[krasi]

Yes! They started at the weekend and I get 1 or 2 eggs daily! I love them!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Congrats !!!