Ducks aren't laying eggs

[Fisherlmiranda]

This all started 8 weeks ago when my duck hatched out 11 ducklings. My ducks are in a run with two houses in it with 4 nesting boxes total. Theres 5 hens. So 1 was using a house to hatch out I closed the door to give her privacy and safty. And the other 4 hens were using the other house and laying eggs in the 2 nesting boxes. I was letting them out every day to free range. Well they started laying in the yard. So I started holding off on letting them out till 11. And that help for a while, then they started not laying again. So I decided to keep them in the run till they laid. Well then a whole week no eggs. So I got some fake eggs and put them in the nesting boxes. They push the fake eggs out of the nest but no eggs! Now the ducklings are adult size and every one is all together, theres 18 ducks and I'm getting no eggs! They get fed 4 cups of organic layer feed in the morning and 4 cups in the evening. They were free ranged but have been pen up till I get them laying in there boxs again. I theres free choice calcium. Theres a pool and a waterer. That is cleaned every day. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Fishsticks06]

This all started 8 weeks ago when my duck hatched out 11 ducklings. My ducks are in a run with two houses in it with 4 nesting boxes total. Theres 5 hens. So 1 was using a house to hatch out I closed the door to give her privacy and safty. And the other 4 hens were using the other house and laying eggs in the 2 nesting boxes. I was letting them out every day to free range. Well they started laying in the yard. So I started holding off on letting them out till 11. And that help for a while, then they started not laying again. So I decided to keep them in the run till they laid. Well then a whole week no eggs. So I got some fake eggs and put them in the nesting boxes. They push the fake eggs out of the nest but no eggs! Now the ducklings are adult size and every one is all together, theres 18 ducks and I'm getting no eggs! They get fed 4 cups of organic layer feed in the morning and 4 cups in the evening. They were free ranged but have been pen up till I get them laying in there boxs again. I theres free choice calcium. Theres a pool and a waterer. That is cleaned every day. What am I doing wrong?

You’re not doing anything wrong (with the context that was given.) Are they laying somewhere you don’t know about? Are they stressed? Is weather difficult? You’re 5 hens should be laying by now, but I would expect your 8 week old ducks to lay as they’re too young.

 

[PirateGirl]

Their routine has been changed, their housing situation changed when you had one brooding, and now there are a whole bunch of ducklings so your flock dynamics have changed. Ducks quit laying when they are stressed often, and all of these things amount to stress. As long as they are acting healthy otherwise, do not worry.

Imagine if your roommate took over your favorite bedroom, you were forced to sleep on the couch, and then your roommate brought a whole mess of kids into your house to live with you. You had no say in any of this and it caught you by surprise. It would be a bit stressful for awhile, but eventually you might make up and adjust. That's kinda what's going on with your ducks right now

 

[chickens really]

Ducks stop laying if they hatched went Broody or in molt.

 

[Orca5094]

My girls (Cayugas and Cayuga crosses) only lay from March to June/July. Maybe they are just done for the season?

 

[Fisherlmiranda]

My girls (Cayugas and Cayuga crosses) only lay from March to June/July. Maybe they are just done for the season?

Really I've never heard this.

 

[Fisherlmiranda]

My girls (Cayugas and Cayuga crosses) only lay from March to June/July. Maybe they are just done for the season?

I have cayugas, Welsh, and black swedish and khaki Campbell. They are all not laying so Its not breed specific

 

[Fisherlmiranda]

Their routine has been changed, their housing situation changed when you had one brooding, and now there are a whole bunch of ducklings so your flock dynamics have changed. Ducks quit laying when they are stressed often, and all of these things amount to stress. As long as they are acting healthy otherwise, do not worry.

Imagine if your roommate took over your favorite bedroom, you were forced to sleep on the couch, and then your roommate brought a whole mess of kids into your house to live with you. You had no say in any of this and it caught you by surprise. It would be a bit stressful for awhile, but eventually you might make up and adjust. That's kinda what's going on with your ducks right now

I've been kinda thinking that was the problem.

 

[Fisherlmiranda]

You’re not doing anything wrong (with the context that was given.) Are they laying somewhere you don’t know about? Are they stressed? Is weather difficult? You’re 5 hens should be laying by now, but I would expect your 8 week old ducks to lay as they’re too young.

They were laying in the yard in hiding places when they free ranged. So I left them penned up in there run. I dont believe the run is to small, it still has grass growing in it.....