Ducks laying in the back of the run?! Why?

[DUCKGIRL89]

2 of my 3 welsh harlequin hens began laying this week. (one monday, 1 today) and they keep laying ALL the way in the back of the run, in the poop! Is there anyway to keep them from laying there? I hate walking through all the mud/poop to get the the eggs!

Thanks in advance!

 

[jdywntr]

I built a little shelter for my muscovy hen and added some straw. I put a fake egg in there (one of those plastic easter eggs you put candy in) she laid all but 1 of her eggs in there.

You don't need a shelter but try building a nest, make a hole in the ground 1-2 " deep and fill with straw. I swirled mine like the chickens have theirs.

Put an egg in there and hope for the best. I would leave an egg in there at all times, fake or real.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

Ok, thanks! Good idea. My rouen hen likes to lay hers right near the fence, so all I need to do is reach my hand through the fence..... I guess im spoiled lol.... But shes going broody

Hows your scovy mama doing? My rouen decided she wants to be a mama to bad I have no fertile eggs being laid.... 6 drakes, but no hatchible eggs any tips on having a broody duck?

 

[grawg]

My runners used to lay their eggs wherever. They stopped once the khakis were introduced as the khakis would make a nest in the corner of the house and lay their eggs there. After a couple weeks the runners followed suit.

Maybe you could try making a straw nest and leaving some "marker" eggs in there?

 

[rainplace]

You could also try letting them out later so they lay in their house and not in the run.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

They are not locked up at night. They get the house, and run 24/7, then I open the gate to the yard in the morning for free ranging (after I collect eggs)

Hopfully they decide to start laying in the duck houses...

 

[rainplace]

Then your best bet would be getting a couple of fake eggs and placing them where you want them to lay. If you can't afford fake eggs, egg shaped rocks work also.