Well, we finally got our first eggs. I knew it would happen while I was in the backcountry for work. I have a few questions though. We have 3 ducks and 5 chickens - all 19 weeks old. All the eggs so far have been from the ducks. I'm absolutely positive of this as they are laying at night and they are locked into separate coops. Of the three ducks, none of them are showing signs of a drake feather yet, but I can't be positive about the voice sexing. We are getting 1 egg per day. Four of them have been the size of chicken eggs and 1 was more what I expected from a duck egg. Is it typical to have inconsistency in size for awhile after they start laying? I would expect that if more than one of them were laying we'd have more than one egg per day. Is this correct? They've all been the same off-white/light tan color too. I put a nest box in the chicken coop with some golf balls, but so far nothing. I'm being patient though and have started leaving a light on in the early evening, as our daylight is getting significantly shorter. Should I start expecting chicken eggs soon too? One of the other people that ordered at the same time I did has already gotten eggs from her chickens. I did not put a nest box in the duck coop, as I truly expected them to lay out in the woods, after everything I've read. Should I built them a box too? They egss have had quite a bit of poo on them - although it's fairly easy to wash off. Any advice is welcome!
I know nothing about ducks so I can't help with those. Most chicken breeds start laying at about 20 weeks old. Sex-links start sooner than that and some don't start laying until closer to 30 weeks old. So, I'm guessing you should start to get chicken eggs in the next several weeks.
Ive been raising white pekins for a few years and most young hens won't start laying til spring (that's been my experience anyway). Your chickens are due to start "Soon". . .My hens are 20 weeks and I'm just starting to get some eggs "TODAY"
Thanks, everyone. We are still getting the one duck egg consistently every morning. Patiently waiting for more or for a drake feather to appear. I've decided I will give them a nesting box, just to keep the eggs out of the muck. Still no chicken eggs but I know it could be a couple weeks. We replaced the golf balls with a cream colored plastic egg. It's huge though, so hopefully it doesn't scare the girls too much!
Lucky, We got our ducks at the end of March and know for sure we have female Kaki and Rouens. Neither are showing any signs of being ready to lay yet.