How/Where do ducks like to lay eggs?

[JessHall]

I would like to set up a spot for my ducks to lay eggs. Do they even use lay boxes if they can reach them or do they lay where ever they want?

Thanks.

 

[hikerchick]

My ducks lay eggs wherever they want to; although they (usually) pick the same spots. I have two that like to lay in a plastic doghouse I have in the pen; I also have two halves of a plastic dog house out there and they like the coziness of that, I guess, because they often lay in there. Other times, I find eggs in the garage, by the deck (that nest got taken over by a snake), on the lawn, and anywhere else they go. One morning one of my Pekins laid an egg right at my feet as I was tossing out feed. It was hot and moist. Urk.

 

[sussexgal]

Hmm.... my ducks free range.... when they build a nest, it's in an out of the way spot that is protected. The last nest Maria made was behind/under a window that was leaning up against an unused piece of farm machinery. Previous nests have been along the inside wall of the hay mow, in tall weeds behind the barn, in the horseradish patch, and under the steps leading up to the chicken coop that used to be on the second floor of the tractor barn. They have never been interested in nest boxes and will build a nest in the corner when they are cooped in the winter. What I can tell you is they like to have protection from the top and at least one side. They would not use boxes that only had one way in and out.... hope this helps you.

 

[redhen]

Mine lay in their duck house..

 

[Soccer Mom]

MIne lay in their duck house. Everyone has a favorite corner. Mine aren't very broody. Occasionally someone just deposits an egg in the middle of the yard and keeps on walking. But mostly they lay early in the morning. When I go down to turn them out, I just scoop up eggs.

 

[streemers]

1 of mine lay in the duck house and another lays where ever she see's fit. today it was in my flower bed by the back porch? another time it was behind a half wine barral

 

[Smartie_Pants]

Mine lay in various places, but they each tend to pick a favorite spot and stick with it. One lays in the irises around our gazebo, one lays under my rose bushes, one laid in the grass in their pen every day, and the other few laid in an igloo house I have in there.

 

[FenDruadin]

Wherever I'm least likely to look. Each time I find a new favorite spot, they quit laying in it after I remove the eggs a couple times. I need to get a couple fake eggs to put in the nest and maybe they'll keep laying in one spot so I can ever find the darn things. Their pen is not even that large, so you'd think it would be a no-brainer to find the eggs, but they actually bury them in straw some times!

Their favorite spot at the moment, however, is right by the entrance gate, where I have to either stoop and pick up the eggs before I go in or, if I forget there are eggs buried under the straw right there, step on them.

 

[TK Poultry]

mine lay where ever even tho i have nests set up for them some of the chickens use them but not the ducks they are rebels!!!

 

[JessHall]

I have Pekins and Muscovy's. How often do you think I should scour the area for hidden eggs?