Duck mating

[Mrsg1015]

I have 16 week old Cayuga ducks - 1 drake, 2 hens. This morning I witnessed the drake getting on top of one of the hens. My concern is that I will have an egg in the morning - will I? I haven’t started the hens on oyster shells or increased the protein. Someone I calculated starting all this the second or third week in August - eggs happening beginning of September? What should I do?!? Sorry, this is my first time raising ducks.

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

Some of my ducks have started mating, no eggs from them yet.

 

[Mrsg1015]

Some of my ducks have started mating, no eggs from them yet.

Should I start allowing them to eat oyster shells?

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I have 29 waterfowl. I scatter a bag of oyster shell and a bag of grit every month in the same spots in the bird yard. If they need it they’ll eat it, if they don’t need it they won’t eat it.

 

[Mrsg1015]

I have 29 waterfowl. I scatter a bag of oyster shell and a bag of grit every month in the same spots in the bird yard. If they need it they’ll eat it, if they don’t need it they won’t eat it.

Thank you for your help and advice!

 

[chickens really]

Hello...They will begin to breed but may not lay eggs till spring. Ducks are sexual and seasonal layers. Once they are about 4 months old they breed. Many won't lay eggs till around 8 to 10 months depending on the breed. Or as I mentioned, spring.
Also supply oyster shell after the first egg in a separate bowl. They will use it if needed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Runners and Buffs started mating at 4months laid their first eggs at 4.5 months old. My Muscovy's totally different Started breeding at around 8 months old didn't start laying till 9 mos.

Oyster shell at first sign of an egg.

 

[Mrsg1015]

Thanks everyone! I went ahead and have oyster shell available to them and put nest boxes in their coup with fake eggs in the boxes - now I won’t have to worry if real eggs start showing up!