How old do runner need to before laying

[Augie1]

I have 2 males and 6 female runners. I do not know the age of the ducks but they are pretty young but fully feathered. What is the easiest way to tell the age of a duck and at what age do they start to lay. Will Runners mate all year long?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’ve had them start as early as 4.5 months an as late as 8 months.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mine mate year round but it’s nothing like spring and up until late Aug things begins to slow down some. Thank goodness.

 

[Augie1]

Mine mate year round but it’s nothing like spring and up until late Aug things begins to slow down some. Thank goodness.

How can i tell the age

 

[HoundsHarvestFarm]

My runners started laying right on time around 4 months old and darn it if they did just stop for winter like that, but they picked right back up the spring. Hard to tell age, once they get to be about 3 months old they look pretty much full grown before they do their final growth spurt.

 

[Augie1]

Sorry its not a close up photo. Will post more tomorrow. What age do you think? Should I expect eggs in September? I live in SoCal. It gets only to the low 50s during winter.

 

[ibarbidahl]

My ducklings just turned 16 weeks. I've gotten 3 eggs this week.