laying boxes

[r-dale]

I mostly raise ducks for meat. The holidays are big and the rest of the year I have the Chinese market to fill, plus some orders from other people. But after the holidats I only process ducks by order and again the duck meat market is very seasonal. What I am getting alot of interest in is duck eggs from some of the resorts and high end bakeries, which could become a year round market.

I raise muscovy, not by first choice, but that is the only breed readily available here, and they do serve the meat need well. The mature muscovies seem just to pick a spot and lay there. Sure they may dig out a shallow hole and put in feathers or leaves in it or maybe the feathers just blow into the hole and get stuck there.

Question is/are, would building laying boxes for the ducks increase egg production? Short of switching breeds are there ways to increase egg production? Since the drakes and hens are both for meat they get the same feed.

I'm really trying to find a good multi-perpuse breed like pekin. May just bight the bullet and import some.

 

[Kevin565]

Laying boxes will not increase production and honestly my birds have never bothered to use them. Artificial light can be used to stimulate longer periods of laying but Muscovies aren't really meant to lay as well as other breeds such as Pekins.

 

[Eggmachine11]

Ducks don't need laying boxes.Most times people do not use ducks for pure egg production because their REALLY bad about it.If you want to increase egg production more protein or oyster shell could help it.Purina layer feed i'm sure will help your hens do much better.

 

[r-dale]

thanks Egg11, really just decided to to change breeds. I started a tread "layers" which asked about breed but no real responses. From what Ive seen, heard, read laying boxes are a waste of time with the ducks

 

[Kaessa]

thanks Egg11, really just decided to to change breeds. I started a tread "layers" which asked about breed but no real responses. From what Ive seen, heard, read laying boxes are a waste of time with the ducks

I must have missed the other thread, but if you're looking for good layers, you can't go wrong with Khaki Campbells or Welsh Harlequins. Both breeds are outstanding layers.

 

[Eggmachine11]

thanks Egg11, really just decided to to change breeds. I started a tread "layers" which asked about breed but no real responses. From what Ive seen, heard, read laying boxes are a waste of time with the ducks

Your welcome.
If you need any other questions answered,i'm glad to answer,and i'm sure other BYC members are too.