Duck behaviour when about to lay...?

[Wokawidget]

Hi,

I have a 20 week old White Campbell.
In the last 2 weeks she's started becoming much more affectionate, and loves being stroked.
About 4 days ago she started doing this odd thing when the rooster went near her. She would slightly crouch down, very slightly raise and spead her wings out so that her back was flat like a table top, and lift her tail up.
In the last few days she's started doing this when you stroke her.

She has 4 chicken friends, and no other duck friends.

I have heard that some ducks build a small nest...I've not yet seen any evidence of this happening.
Are there any other signs I should look out for?

Cheers,

Woka

 

[becky3086]

Sounds to me like she is getting ready to lay. She is wanting to mate with the drake which is usually a sign that laying with happen soon.

 

[allaboutdemchicks]

I would think she is soon to lay also. My ducks, while not the same breed as yours, began laying in any random location. They would be walking along and wherever they are....poof! There's an egg! Now that they are a few months older they are freerangers during the day and search out areas to call a nest.

Oh, and yes, I have seen a rooster find a duck as a love interest!

Claudia

 

[Wokawidget]

Cool

I'll start watching for eggs in the garden.
I think she needs a duck friend.

woka

 

[Wokawidget]

Its a rooster we have, no drake.
So if she does that to the rooster...and to me when I stroke her....does that mean she wants to mate with me?

I'll have to learn duck and tell her that it's not allowed by law.

Woka

 

[Wokawidget]

Just gone outside and stroked her. When she raises her tail she exposes, and open and closes, her vent.

Are we talking days or weeks before she starts laying?
I better start adding oyster shells to her dog food.

Woka

 

[Wifezilla]

if she does that to the rooster...and to me when I stroke her....does that mean she wants to mate with me?

She sees you are the dominant flock member.​

 

[Wokawidget]

We got rid of the rooster, took him back to the farm.
The White Campbell is now docile and as friendly as ever.
She's started laying. She's now 26 weeks old.
She's laid 17 eggs in the last 18 days...all perfect white shelled eggs.

I knew Campbells were good eggs layers, but at this rate she'll top 300+ a yr

I know it's too early to predict that properly...but impressive non the less.

Woka

 

[Wifezilla]

Khakis are great little egg machines

 

[DuckMamaorBust]

Just wondering - Will the ducks keep laying regardless of the number of hours of daylight or do you need to supplement their daylight during winter?