Direct sun or shade?

[markymarkwardt]

Hey all,

we just made our first foray into the world of backyard poultry and have no idea what we're doing. My ducks haven't started laying yet. The previous owner said they were about 18 months old and laying several times a week if not daily. I don't know the breed.

I am feeding them feed from my local feed store labeled "duck food" so I'm assuming it is approrpiate nutrition. They are not laying yet and I'm wondering if it is because of one of two things - either they are stressed out and still settling in OR possibly they aren't getting enough sun. We're getting about ten hours of sunshine a day right now, but it's Arizona so it's night bright sun. However, they are in an area of the yard that is totally shaded all day. Do they need access to direct sun?? Is it sun exposure or just daylight hours that makes the difference?? Just weird that the owner said they were laying and then now they are now.

I have looked everywhere and they are not hiding or burying them.

 

[DancingWthDucks]

They will have most likely had their laying cycle interrupted by the stress of moving to a new environment and it should take a couple of weeks for them to settle down and start laying again.

As the days get shorter duck generally reduce the amount of eggs they are laying and completely stop laying during molt.

Giving them a nice shady garden won't effect the laying, it's the amount of light that does.

Good luck with your new ducks and I hope that you enjoy them.

 

[markymarkwardt]

Thank you!!!