I have no idea what I am doing

[jvls1942]

Happy Duck, how do you go about preventing them from laying every day ?

 

[Jack Speese]

I have raised many ducks, but never for eggs. I always let them set and hatch their own, and pretty much stuck with breeds that did so. But they say that with chickens, egg production decreases ca. 20% over the previous year's production after each molt. So I imagine that the case would be similar for ducks.

 

[Steven Mazzo]

I would think it's perfectly normal. Also probably as in chickens, each year they lay less eggs. You mean she laid an egg almost every day last year? That's quite impressive!
It's nice to see them again! Glad to have an update!

No she started in March and stopped in June but only missed one day each month. Glad to hear it slows down. I wish she wouldn’t lay any. I’m always worried for her lol.

 

[Steven Mazzo]

I have raised many ducks, but never for eggs. I always let them set and hatch their own, and pretty much stuck with breeds that did so. But they say that with chickens, egg production decreases ca. 20% over the previous year's production after each molt. So I imagine that the case would be similar for ducks.

Good I’ll rest easy when she stops

 

[featherhead007]

As far as pets go, I wonder if ducks are as lovable as my last hens were?

 

[biophiliac]

Good I’ll rest easy when she stops

If you were to let her sit on her eggs and raise a brood of ducklings she would naturally stop laying while she does that, no? Don't me! Haha

edit added - I take the eggs from my pigeons and replace them with fake ones for them to sit on when I don't want more babies. Otherwise, if I just take them the hen will lay more right away which is stressful healthwise and depletes calcium.

 

[Steven Mazzo]

As far as pets go, I wonder if ducks are as lovable as my last hens were?

My lucky certainly is but we hatched her. Our male is ok but gets nervous when we pick him up

 

[CountryFried]

Lucky needs some babies! (And I seriously just sat here and read this thread from start to finish, all 260 pages! )

 

[featherhead007]

Does it feel wet when you hold a duck? I never had ducks.

 

[Raenh]

Only if they just came out of the water... like you out of a shower.