Ancona Ducks

[starterfarm]

They have feathered out further since this picture but all 5 of these are for sale. They are close nit and talkers. Such cute little ones but i have too many birds.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

Thanks learycow. I think that it might actually be a male so he will have to go anyway. I want to make sure that I keep my sweet little birds the way there are suppose to be.

 

[newducklings]

they love their clean water right after I fill their pool back up

 

[willowbirdks]

My Anconas are growing up! They are coming up on 17 weeks, which is hard to believe.

Couple of questions for those who have more experience... At what age should I be looking for my hen to start laying? And when will the drake start to exhibit mating behaviors? Just wanting to make sure I have a sense of what is coming next...

 

[learycow]

My Anconas are growing up! They are coming up on 17 weeks, which is hard to believe.

Couple of questions for those who have more experience... At what age should I be looking for my hen to start laying? And when will the drake start to exhibit mating behaviors? Just wanting to make sure I have a sense of what is coming next...

Mating behaviors can start as early as 4 months or as late as 9 months.
Laying usually begins around 5-6 months

 

[willowbirdks]

Mating behaviors can start as early as 4 months or as late as 9 months. 
Laying usually begins around 5-6 months

I almost just emailed you directly about this... Do you think they will wait until after the winter to exhibit mating behaviors, or do yours sometimes start in the fall? I know I will need to put a light on a timer in the coop for laying once the days get shorter... Any tips about when you usually do that?

Thanks for being so willing to share your experience.

 

[learycow]

I almost just emailed you directly about this... Do you think they will wait until after the winter to exhibit mating behaviors, or do yours sometimes start in the fall? I know I will need to put a light on a timer in the coop for laying once the days get shorter... Any tips about when you usually do that?

Thanks for being so willing to share your experience.

Nope, once they are matured enough they will be horny no matter what season but it definitely gets worse in the spring!

I leave a light on in the coop 24/7 in the cold months (usually Dec through early March). I haven't ever put it on a timer but I also don't push mine to lay in the winter because I would rather they use the energy to stay warm and keep fat. I don't sell many eggs for hatching nor do I hatch many myself in the winter so production isn't as important to me as their overall health

 

[AuroraSprings]

If they start laying before winter, it's likely they will continue to lay throughout winter. At least their first year. This is why we stagger hatches, but have never needed to use a light.

 

[eggorthechicken]

My ducks started laying last fall and throughout winter...no light and they lay before 9 every morning. Now they are broody so they are hateful and hoarding eggs. :0/

 

[khawdashhtchngs]

Mine lay through winter, they just sometimes are not as reliable as usually with an egg a day, although it does not get very harsh here in Oklahoma.