Duck not laying eggs properly.

[EmilyJaneWeth]

Hello, I'm new to the site so I'm not sure if this is the right place but I have a quick question to ask.

So, I bought 3 ducks off of a woman that could no longer take care of them, 1 female crested (Martha), 1 male crested (Laz) and a female pekin (Thelma). They are fully grown and I've had them for about 3 months now. They live on a pond with an island on our paddock and on that island they have their own enclosure.

A few weeks back the female crested (Martha) disappeared, and I'm guessing a fox got her because there's no way she could get out of the paddock and either way they stay in or around and close to the pond. A day after Martha died 20 eggs were laid in the fresh straw in the enclosure, I removed them to give them to a few people that had asked for them and then the day after one more was laid, that one was also removed.

My problem now is that I haven't seen any more eggs, 21 were laid in the space of two days and that was it. No more eggs.

The reason I worry is because if I'm right, ducks are meant to lay like chickens so I should be seeing at least 1/2 every day or two.

I'm wondering is it possible that Thelma was shocked/traumatised, laid all of her eggs at once and now won't lay again?

I'm like a concerned mother haha any clue as to what's wrong or even if it's completely normal?
Thank you in advance

 

[Going Quackers]

Ducks lay an egg a day now not always just like chickens they can skip a day, some breeds are more prolific than others. I honestly, have no answers, there is no way she ovulated everything she had trauma or not.

Possible a wild duck is going there? are they locked up at night? once a pred learns there is a feeding spot they usually return.

 

[EmilyJaneWeth]

I keep a close eye on their enclosure and there was not one single egg in there, I put half a bag of fresh straw and the next day they had made a nest and there was 20 eggs in it, and the next day there was another one. I don't know how it happened.

I'm 99% sure that there's no wild ducks entering the enclosure and yes they are locked up every night and let out the next morning. I check for eggs every morning and night.

I did notice a few crows were around the paddock that the pond is on but I haven't seen any at all in the last few weeks. I really am baffled that there are no eggs appearing. She lays in the enclosure and like I say I keep a close eye on everything, the door is opened of a morning, I check and then it's shut, and re-opened of a night time when I put them away and then they're locked in until the next morning.

 

[Amiga]

When more than one egg shows up overnight, the eggs have been hidden. Ducks will hide them, then gather them up into a nest before sitting.

And yes, the predator will return and kill the other ducks if they are not protected.

 

[EmilyJaneWeth]

Oh that must be it, my close eye can't be that good lol.
Well we have put a metal mesh where we think the fox got Martha so it can't hide and creep up through the one bush around the pond and as for the crows they are long gone, I will be out there with my 12 gauge if they return hahaha

 

[Going Quackers]

When more than one egg shows up overnight, the eggs have been hidden. Ducks will hide them, then gather them up into a nest before sitting.

And yes, the predator will return and kill the other ducks if they are not protected.

Hidden eggs are definitely possible, my ducks hide eggs.. so far we;ve had nests hid in my cats box in the hay barn and the horses barn(those were kinda obvious and ruined by the horses lol)

 

[Going Quackers]

Oh that must be it, my close eye can't be that good lol.
Well we have put a metal mesh where we think the fox got Martha so it can't hide and creep up through the one bush around the pond and as for the crows they are long gone, I will be out there with my 12 gauge if they return hahaha

Do, "it" will be back.

 

[EmilyJaneWeth]

Do, "it" will be back.

I've not got the best aim, and poor laz and Thelma will get so scared, I'll have to get my dad to do it while I cuddle my little duckies (as if they would let me, they're even scared of bread)

 

[EmilyJaneWeth]

Thanks for everyone's help