Egg laying behaviors

[CayugaJana]

I have a pekin duck that's about 2 months old. And I know she has awhile before she starts laying. But I was curious if they have any tell tale signs that they are going to start laying? Or do you just go into their pen one day and get a surprise? I'm betting by the time she gets old enough, it will be full on winter and she will start in the spring. But I've never experienced having ducks until now so I don't have any idea.

 

[chickens really]

I never noticed anything with them until I found the eggs...Not like Chickens that practice in and out of the nest boxes weeks before they lay....I first would find Duck eggs in the water bowl, on the ground or in the dog house...

 

[CayugaJana]

Oh my that's hilarious. Finding them in the water bowl!

Did you ever try buying the fake eggs to put somewhere you want them to lay? Or is that more for chickens?

 

[chickens really]

That's more of a Chicken thing....I have never used them with Chickens or Ducks....

 

[sourland]

Many mallard based duck hens will develop a fuller more 'saggy' abdomen prior to laying.

 

[CayugaJana]

Thanks @chickens really. I guess I'll try to be patient. I kind of feel like a kid waiting for Christmas! We use chicken eggs a lot so I hope we like the taste.

 

[CayugaJana]

That's interesting @sourland. I have pekin and cayuga females. Would they be mallard based? Although the pekins are kinda fat. I don't know that I'd notice a difference.

 

[chickens really]

I can't eat a Duck egg....I cant get past how creamy they are or get them past my teeth....lol.....

 

[sourland]

That's interesting @sourland. I have pekin and cayuga females. Would they be mallard based? Although the pekins are kinda fat. I don't know that I'd notice a difference.

Yes they are. The 'bulking up' may be slight or readily noticeable. It's all about observation.

 

[CayugaJana]

I know it sounds bad, but I don't plan on telling my boys what they are the first time. I have a couple really picky eaters that turn their nose up at everything. But we all love scrambled eggs.