Ducks Not Laying Eggs

[quackingdom]

Ducks often lay in clutches. They'll lay a clutch, then take a break, then lay another. It depends on the breed, but my Muscovies do that and I'm guessing Cayugas would too. So maybe they were in the middle of a clutch when you got them, and will being again within a few days.

But there's a good chance they're dumping the eggs in the pond too. Or they're just a bit stressed still. Or that a predator has found a way to get them. Or the weather.

I've found that the exact time the sun starts shining has a major effect on whether my ducks lay. Recently, we had a couple weeks of very sunny weather and were getting many eggs a day. Then...bam! One cloudy morning. We only picked one egg that day. Next day was cloudy too, and again only one or two eggs.

About a week later, we had more sunny mornings, and the eggs picked up again fast. It's weird what an extreme effect the weather can have.

 

[GeckoChicken]

Thank you everyone! If they were laying in the pond I would be able to see. It is just a small part of the pond that they are fenced in at. But the could be laying in clutches like HannahDuckLover said. Thanks!

 

[GeckoChicken]

You just got them a week ago ? The initial eggs laid were already 'in production', when you got them. The stress of the move and a new environment has very likely caused the break in production. They will lay again, but unless you can contain them at least until noon they are likely to hide or drop eggs anywhere - even in the pond as @chickens really has suggested.

Thank you! I would be able to see if they were in the pond. It’s just a small area. The ones I’ve collected already were mostly in the pond

 

[olyvia]

Do they have curled feathers if so they are a male or the case could be that they can't lay eggs

 

[CayugaJana]

We as humans don’t produce eggs regularly if we are under environmental or emotional stress. Yes there are exceptions to the rule but in general this is true. I would expect no less from ducks. Especially since they are prey.

 

[GeckoChicken]

Do they have curled feathers if so they are a male or the case could be that they can't lay eggs

I know they are females for sure

 

[GeckoChicken]

Thank you everyone! As of today still no eggs. I will keep you posted

 

[lomine]

Cayuga and WH don't lay in clutches. They'll lay until they take a break for molting and/or winter. I would agree with those that say this is all likely do to the stress of the move. It will take them a while to settle in.

Do you know if they were housed together before you got them? Being with new ducks may also compound the stress level.

 

[GeckoChicken]

Cayuga and WH don't lay in clutches. They'll lay until they take a break for molting and/or winter. I would agree with those that say this is all likely do to the stress of the move. It will take them a while to settle in.

Do you know if they were housed together before you got them? Being with new ducks may also compound the stress level.

Thanks for the info! They came together as mating pairs and all 4 were housed together.

 

[Mckennas poultry]

I once had this problem
I added a chicken egg in their nest box and they started laying two days after