Ancona ducks first time laying eggs!

[kangareaux]

Thanks. The hatcheries are telling us they are sold out. Also, don't want to buy straight run. I tend to end up with males that way.

 

[Ozzy Lorp]

Our ducks and geese prefer not to be inside at night. We put out some hay, grass, or leaves for them and seem very happy. We have an awning for them that they like in the heat, but they like the rain, don't mind the cold, and have only slept inside during heavy storms.
Ours started laying at about 5 months. You can tell at about 8 or 10 weeks whether they are male or female. The quacks are different, and usually, the males tail feathers will curl.
They are really cool- We have great fun watching them. I hope you enjoy them too.

 

[ducklover87]

We bought 14 Ancona ducks a few months ago. How do you tell the difference b/w male and female? Also when do they start laying? My last question is what kind of coop do ducks and Geese prefer?
   Jamie

At about 6 weeks you can tell by voice. Females will quack while males sound like they have a sore throat and do more of a wack than quack. At about 9 or 10 weeks the males I'll develop a curled feather on its tail while females don't. They start laying at about 18 weeks. Some a little sooner some a Lil later. A nice and secured coop from predators. One with good ventilation, nice clean bedding, and with enough room for them all. Search duck house in the search box and you will get a bunch of threads with lots of pictures.

 

[Goat Lover 3]

I'm sorry to reply so late. At least some other people answered you!

To tell the differences between a male and female duck is to listen to their quacks! Pick up the duck and listen to how it quacks, the females will have a LOUD quack and the males don't talk a lot and their quack sounds quiet and hoarse. My male Ancona drake got the curled tail feathers at 14 weeks old. My Ancona hen started laying eggs at about 26 weeks old. I'm not sure what geese like but when it starts getting dark my ducks seem to like being locked up at night. I bought a chicken coop that is meant for 4 chickens. The chicken coop is located in the middle of a larger pen.

Hope this helped,
Rachelle

 

[Goat Lover 3]

Your welcome! There are all kinds of hatchery's you can find! I hope you find a female!

 

[Goat Lover 3]

I need a little help please! My female duck made a nest and was laying a egg a day, she had 4 eggs in her nest for a while and today she laid a 5th egg! She hasn't been sitting on her nest much either! Will she lay on her nest or will she ignore it? I would like her to hatch them before winter comes!

 

[ducklover87]

I need a little help please! My female duck made a nest and was laying a egg a day, she had 4 eggs in her nest for a while and today she laid a 5th egg! She hasn't been sitting on her nest much either! Will she lay on her nest or will she ignore it? I would like her to hatch them before winter comes!

She may or she may not. Chances are she's not done adding to her nest. At about 10 or so she might decide to sit. All ducks will make nests and keep laying in it until they decide to sit, decide its not safe enough and build a different nest elsewhere, or the nest gets emptied. She may just be making a nest. It might be too late in the year for her to want to go broody. Each duck is different in that sense. Some will go broody during the harshest winter months while others will wait until spring. I'd just watch her closely. If she has so many eggs they can't all fit under her comfortably (about 7-13 eggs roughly) than she's just being an egg hoarder.

 

[Goat Lover 3]

Hi,

I am so sorry I didn't get back with you! I never got notified that you replied!! Anyways, my duck has now laid her 12th egg today! She lays on her nest at night, when she is locked in her coop! I hope she sits on her nest!

~Rachelle

 

[backthatelfup]

Congrats on your duck laying!

 

[ducklover87]

Hi,

I am so sorry I didn't get back with you! I never got notified that you replied!! Anyways, my duck has now laid her 12th egg today! She lays on her nest at night, when she is locked in her coop! I hope she sits on her nest! 

~Rachelle

You never know she just might. Just try not to disturb her or play with her nest. When she's ready she will sit. Or just keep laying and not sit at all. But my fingers are crossed that she'll sit