Ducks Lay Duds?

[aboyer116]

Hello everyone. I raise call ducks and have acquired them from different farms over the past three years Last year I had 10 females and 8 drakes. Our eggs were very fertile, but I did have 2 aggressive males. Even though our coop grew last year, I thinned my ducks out to 20 females and 15 males when the hens started laying I February. I worried that the girls would be hurt by too many males, but that hasn't happened. However, I am not achieving the fertility rate I had last year. There are some new layers and inexperienced males, but my last attempt at incubating eggs ended in 22 duds and 6 that had the beginnings of development. I waited until day 15 to candle. What could be going on here? The females show signs of mating on the back of their heads and necks. I have seen mating, of course, but don't watch them constantly! Are they living so happily together that they lay perfectly infertile eggs?! Your comments are so welcome!

 

[Zan]

Are the drakes running each other off the ducks before the deed is done?

 

[aboyer116]

Are the drakes running each other off the ducks before the deed is done?

That is a possibility! Would you recommend reducing the number of drakes?