Butt check?

[RebinNH]

Does a butt check work on ducks to determine laying capacity? My two muscovy females still not laying...?They are free range except for night when they're in the coop and I have been feeding layer feed which they seem less interested in than the maintenance feed. I've noticed they are pretty good at running from the drake when they (often) don't want mating. But then he is not the most gentle of drakes. I noticed blood on the tail feathers of the smaller hen when let out of coop yesterday. It seems fine today (after yesterday hosing off). I think perhaps tat could have been him trying to catch her. Perhaps they're stressed?

 

[igorsMistress]

Does a butt check work on ducks to determine laying capacity? My two muscovy females still not laying...?They are free range except for night when they're in the coop and I have been feeding layer feed which they seem less interested in than the maintenance feed. I've noticed they are pretty good at running from the drake when they (often) don't want mating. But then he is not the most gentle of drakes. I noticed blood on the tail feathers of the smaller hen when let out of coop yesterday. It seems fine today (after yesterday hosing off). I think perhaps tat could have been him trying to catch her. Perhaps they're stressed?

I believe they are seasonal layers so it may not be time yet.

 

[Canadian Wind]

I believe they are seasonal layers so it may not be time yet.

Mine don't lay in the winter, and have only JUST started laying now, although I've seen a lot of mating. Only a few eggs so far, but hopefully more soon.

Some will lay throughout the nice weather seasons, some only for a clutch or two. My three females last year each sat a clutch, and the eggs weren't fertile, and never laid again after.

 

[RebinNH]

Ok thanks. I feel better. I just don't get why they don't seem to want calcium or this layer feed. I want to make sure they're not stressed in any way.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Ok thanks. I feel better. I just don't get why they don't seem to want calcium or this layer feed. I want to make sure they're not stressed in any way.

If they aren’t laying they don’t need extra calcium. Too much calcium can also cause issues just like too little can.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Ok thanks. I feel better. I just don't get why they don't seem to want calcium or this layer feed. I want to make sure they're not stressed in any way.

I never feed mine layer feed. I offer oyster shell on the side, so if they need it, they help themselves.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If the layer is pellets that maybe why they don't care for it. My flock really doesn't care for pellets so I make fermented feed for them. They like it that way. if I could get NON GMO All Flock I wouldn't feed layer either.

 

[CoMtns]

If they aren’t laying they don’t need extra calcium. Too much calcium can also cause issues just like too little can.

And this is good to know!