Craigslist Duck Not Laying

[Crazy Duck Lover]

I bought 6 females from craigslist. 5 buffs and 1 fw runner. She claimed the buffs are 9months and the runner is 1.5yrs. She said that they were laying and all. Prior to purchase I asked her and she said they had just stopped laying. I bought them anyway. They’ve been here 2 weeks, and still haven’t laid an egg for me. Is this normal? Did I get scammed some how?

 

[KaleIAm]

Many ducks aren't laying right now because of the season. Or maybe they are stressed from the move? A new environment isn't a safe place for babies/eggs.

 

[Crazy Duck Lover]

Many ducks aren't laying right now because of the season. Or maybe they are stressed from the move? A new environment isn't a safe place for babies/eggs.

I was thinking that they were stressed, but figured they would be more comfortable by now. I didn’t even think about the season affecting them. The rest of my girls are laying still

 

[KaleIAm]

I was thinking that they were stressed, but figured they would be more comfortable by now. I didn’t even think about the season affecting them. The rest of my girls are laying still

In my experience with my little flock some ducks can lay all winter when young, and others take the winter off. All my khakis produced eggs all winter, I had one welsh harlequin who did, and one who didn't, and the other ducks took the winter off.

At one point I was trying to get a sick duck to stop laying eggs for health reasons and my vet advised me to move her stuff around everyday and feed scratch only and no layer feed. So you might do the opposite. Be predictable, keep things in the same spot, and feed high quality layer feed. Personally, I would also try to make sure not to frighten them by moving quickly around them or walking directly at them.

I bet they'll start laying soon when the days get longer and they are more comfortable.

 

[telandra2]

I have 5 ducks who gave me an egg a day each last year, I'm only getting 2 atm after molting and a winter hiatus of 0. Same flock, same conditions. I wouldn't panic yet.

 

[Crazy Duck Lover]

Thank you both! I was a little worried for a second!

 

[RJKnott]

Probably a combo of the season and moving as others have said. I have 8 laying females and up til winter I would get 3-8 eggs a day. Since December I get 1-3.

 

[bhaugh]

To a duck two weeks is nothing. If she hasn't laid in 3 mo, let us know