Difficult Ducks

[cluckcluckgirl]

We got our ducks when they were around 1 week old. Now they have grown to be 20 weeks old. We know for sure we have two females, yet they haven't layed yet. They seem to be very happy; they have a pond and I even give them treats. We have chickens that are about 4 1/2 months old and they even layed an egg

. Is there anything I can do to get my ducks to lay?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Ducks simply take longer than chickens to lay. Some breeds are only seasonal layers.

 

[DuckLover3]

We got our ducks when they were around 1 week old. Now they have grown to be 20 weeks old. We know for sure we have two females, yet they haven't layed yet. They seem to be very happy; they have a pond and I even give them treats. We have chickens that are about 4 1/2 months old and they even layed an egg

. Is there anything I can do to get my ducks to lay?

Ducks normally take about 6 to 8 months to start laying, depending on the breed and the bird. There are a few ways to get them to start laying early, but a duck that starts laying early oftentimes has layer problems later on, so it's better just to wait.

 

[Oregon Blues]

6-8 months and if they don't get to that age well before winter, they will often wait until the next spring to lay.

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

Our ducks are a Pekin and I think a white Alesbury.

 

[Amiga]

I would give them a little more time. Some of my runners, a small breed and generally early layers, did not start laying until they were close to five months old, though the earliest one began at 16 weeks. But she was weeks ahead of everyone else.

Are they getting free choice oyster shell?

Also be aware that some ducks are really really good at hiding eggs.

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

We want to give them free choice oyster shells, but have been unable to. Our ducks turn 8 months old in november, so would they lay lay in winter. There aren't many good hiding places in our coop or even outside, but what would be the best place to look?

 

[Amiga]

Corners, just under the surface of straw bedding, under pallets or ramps, nooks in wood piles, doesn't have to be a big place, might even be in the middle of a yard.

 

[Missy60]

Duck usually lay earlier in the morning so if they are put up at night, and not let out until after 8 the eggs should be in the coop. Well I'm sort of new to ducks but I have read that so many times on here. I let my ducks out after 7 and my pekin lays an egg a day and it's always in the coop.