molting problems?

[mosseater]

I have four laying ducks (~1 year old) and all spring and into the summer I was getting four eggs a day. Then production dropped to two a day and two of the ducks molted. Now I have two beautiful ducks, two raggedy ducks, and still only get two eggs a day.

What do I do? Will the other two molt on their own or do I have to force them somehow? How would I do that without affecting the ducks that just finished molting? When will the ducks that molted start laying again?

 

[Callender Girl]

My only experience with ducks is Indian runners, and my mature girls have all stopped laying for the year. Some molted hard, some were barely noticeable. My replacement girls were born in May, and two of the four started laying about a week and a half ago. I expect everyone will soon take a break until spring.

I think molting, laying, all those things just happen as nature does what it wants to do and lets some girls mature sooner, molt harder and I don't know of any way to change the course.

It will be interesting to see what others, maybe with other breeds, have to say.