Ducks mating already?

[Clmirabilio92]

My ducks are just now hitting the 4 month mark and I've been seeing the Male on top of one of my females, alot. Are they actually mating or just playing around? And if they are starting to mate, how long after do they start laying the eggs? Thank you.

 

[chickens really]

Definitely just going through the motions. True breeding takes place once everyone is fully mature and hormones are highest..

 

[PirateGirl]

They can exhibit mating behavior without laying eggs. I'm not sure what breed of ducks you have, but I wouldn't really expect eggs until 6 months old.

 

[Clmirabilio92]

I have 3 pekin females and 1 pekin/ khaki mix.

They can exhibit mating behavior without laying eggs. I'm not sure what breed of ducks you have, but I wouldn't really expect eggs until 6 months old.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Um my Runners were mating at 4 months and laying at 4.5 months I was very surprised since my Muscovy's have always been 8-9 months old before any mating goes on and eggs after.

 

[Loopeend]

I had the same with my Indian runners. I don´t know how the weather is over there. But over here the last years we have weird soft-winters, weeks where it is freezing and you can sit outside in the sun on a terrace without a jacket in the same week. We keep having al sort of cold or warm records..
And it affects the ducks. Early mating/molting/egg-laying it all is a bit off and loosy goosy. I think our mating-season is lasting already 8 months, but all so-so, resulting in really few Indian runner ducks this year.
Early mating is not weird I would say, nothing really is if you also have these weather-changes.

 

[PaulX]

My pekin just laid this morning at 4 months and 22 days old.
She's been inviting me to mate with her for 2 weeks.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Let us know if you take her up on it

 

[Miss Lydia]

My pekin just laid this morning at 4 months and 22 days old.
She's been inviting me to mate with her for 2 weeks.

Congrats On the first egg!!

 

[Clmirabilio92]

That keeps me optimistic!! cant wait to see my first egg!

My pekin just laid this morning at 4 months and 22 days old.
She's been inviting me to mate with her for 2 weeks.