huge drop in egg production

[jebber]

Hi all,

just trying to figure this out -

Since this spring we have had a huge drop. 5 Khaki Campell girls; we've been averaging 4 to 5 eggs per day. Since early this spring it has dropped to 2 or so per day. No major changes in feed or anything else. We give layer feed with some corn & oats mixed in. Kale as a treat during the day & peas at bedtime. Oyster shell is available in a separate bowl. No illnesses etc. to speak of.
We are averaging now 2 eggs per day & typically one or two 'softshell' per week. Today there were no eggs in the nest!
Ducks are two years old, healthy, happy, but dealing with the Texas heat.

What am I missing?!?!?!

 

[Amiga]

Texas heat, I reckon. How hot does it get where they are? They have shade, yes? And water to swim in?

 

[needlessjunk]

For us eggs we're going great till we hit Aug. I went from 5 eggs a day to 4 sometime in July. Then down to 3 and now down to 2 a day. I'm in TX and it's been over 100 now for a week straight.

 

[Amiga]

Some folks make ice cubes with chopped vegetables in them, and put them in the ducks' water. I move the ducks into the walkout basement pen when it's around 100F outside (the basement pen doesn't get much above 75F).

I also put fresh cold water in the swim pans around 1 or 2 pm on those hot days, some folks set up a mister.

Heat can definitely affect their eating and their laying.

Also, be aware, cases of botulism increase when there are hot spells.

 

[bluejeans]

my ducks lay a whole lot less in hot weather .. And even a busy night with predators around will show by lack of egg laying also ..
and as they age they also more than likely will lay less eggs.. many of the best quality ducks lay less after there two to three years old,,

 

[Ivys Eggs]

Heat, rain, all that matters. Our ducks have allot of shade, but the 120-140 heat index has still mattered. they have a pool, like you good feed. Yet they have really dropped off. When you fill the pools with cold water and 20 mins later its to hot for them to swim in, its hot. If you see them laying in the shade with their bills open panting, its hot. Like you and I they just need to take a rest sometimes. I bet this fall they really start to pick up for you.

 

[jebber]

Thanx everyone, I appreciate the responses

The drop off occurred in march/april. Until then we had been getting 4 or 5 a day. Since then it has been typically 2 per day, sometimes 3, maybe 4 once or twice a month. I figure the heat has a lot to do with no eggs yesterday but the drop off occurred way before the heat. The soft-shell eggs had me wondering about calcium but we have a dog bowl kept full of oystershell.

We have plenty of shade, swim water & a mister for them - they all appear healthy and happy - just not laying like they used to.

 

[Amiga]

@jebber I find that even with layer feed and free choice oyster shell, a few of my Runners still need more calcium.

So I supplement with dissolved calcium citrate in their food, and for a couple of them, some in treats that I give them at night.

There is a whole world of information and educational resources needed for understanding the egg issue. Calcium, vitamin D, protein, Ca ratio, all that, and probably more - oh yes, light.