Are my ducks done laying for the season?

[cubbysan]

I have a female cayuga who went broody in late June and sat on the eggs for about 4 weeks, The last week, a snake got into the duck house, and ate a couple of her eggs, the other eggs never hatched.
Since then, both my female Cayuga and my female Pekin have stopped laying. Are they done laying for the season?

Also, I live in the Kansas City area, and we have had temperatures above 100 for the past 6 weeks.

 

[learycow]

It is most likely that the snake scared them. But they should lay again.
Usually when mine sit on eggs, once they hatch (If I take the ducklings away) it takes them 2-3 weeks and then they start laying again.

If your pekin wasn't broody but simply stopped, she may have been scared by the snake, in which case I would give her a week or so before she lays again. Predators like that can stress a duck out!

Depending on their age, they may be molting (losing feathers and grow a new set). They usually take a month or two off for molting but that would depend on their age. Generally they don't molt until fall/winter that way they can take the cold months off.

For the most part, your hens should lay almost year- round for you. I have some pekins that lay all year and others that take a few months off. But my cayugas tend to take a little more time off and lay less eggs (closer to 100-150).

 

[cubbysan]

My Pekin started laying again a few weeks ago. It must have been the shock of the snake. The Cayuga has been molting. Thanks!