Can’t find where my ducks are laying..

[Alliesan648]

I have 6 hens and I haven’t found an egg in Several weeks, they have 24hr access to a small 2000ish gallon in ground pond, where they like to hangout by at night and I suspect that’s where my eggs are, at the bottom of it..
Any suggestions, is it hard to train them to corral into a shelter at night? (Ducks typically lay at night correct?)
When I first had my first 3 last winter I nearly killed myself trying to herd them in the winter (In the dark) to lock them up every night, and I just kinda gave up on it because the run is secure. Do they eventually learn and put themselves to bed?

 

[Miss Lydia]

If your run is predator secure and you don't teach them to go inside they probably aren't going to go in on their own. You could try persuading them by putting food and water inside and only do it in the evening Before dark. Then if your out there you can just close the door on them. They usually lay early morning before daylight.

 

[PirateGirl]

They probably haven't laid in weeks due to the short daylight hours.
Ducks can learn the nighttime routine. I used to have to herd mine. I don't bother much in summer since their run is secure, but now when I go out at night they all run into their house when they see me coming and wait for me to lock the door. It's much easier than it used to be. I think it just takes time and consistency.

 

[thumper650]

They may have stopped for the season. My Kahki stopped a week or so ago and she’s an egg machine!

 

[Alliesan648]

Well, I’ll have to work on some sort of routine for them. (That does not involve me falling into the pond lol) I figured between the 6 of them there would be at least an egg of two despite the shorter daylight hours.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How old are they? If first year layers they can lay all winter long. My Runners from the time they started [sept is when they started] laid until 18 months later and laid continually. I was begging them to take a break. [Not really] but I was sure relieved when they did.

 

[DuckyDonna]

All my runners head for their pens as soon as it's dark. They even split themselves up into their designated groups, meaning the older 7 head for the big pen and the 4 young ones go right into the smaller pen. It's a matter of teaching them I think. I always made sure they were put to bed so we had a process. Now they don't need to be trained, they like the security of their pen once it gets dark.

 

[DiYMama540]

they've hidden a nest to increase their numbers! One will disappear one day and reappear with a whole flock in tow!

Also, if you vocalize when herding them, like for example, I have always said.."time for birds to go to bed, time to go night night " eventually you can stop the herding and just tell them to go to bed. At dark I go out and tell them all it's time for bed...they run, quack, honk, flap...but they head to bed and all I have to do is lock the doors behind them.

 

[DuckyDonna]

they've hidden a nest to increase their numbers! One will disappear one day and reappear with a whole flock in tow!

Also, if you vocalize when herding them, like for example, I have always said.."time for birds to go to bed, time to go night night " eventually you can stop the herding and just tell them to go to bed. At dark I go out and tell them all it's time for bed...they run, quack, honk, flap...but they head to bed and all I have to do is lock the doors behind them.

Exactly what happens here!

 

[Alliesan648]

How old are they? If first year layers they can lay all winter long. My Runners from the time they started [sept is when they started] laid until 18 months later and laid continually. I was begging them to take a break. [Not really] but I was sure relieved when they did.

3 were born in the spring, the other 3 the previous spring