New member here,hello!

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jetmech873

jetmech873

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Hey yall, I'm retired Navy living in OKC. I started out with a few hens in the same pen with a couple goats and ducks. Now I have gotten rid of the goats and have 16 hens and a duck. Here lately some have started molting and I haven't received a single egg in 3 weeks. I am also in the process of building a new coop with new nesting boxes so I figured the new construction could be freaking them out as well. Do you think I should get rid of the duck also? He seems to be a jerk at times to my ladies. I have several questions so I will check out the forums. All my chickens are different breeds and colors so I don't really know them by name yet. I just want eggs eggs and more eggs!
 
Welcome sailor!
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Thank you for your service! I can't help you with the duck question,. but there are some very active duck threads. Here's a link https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=duck+thread. Feel free to start a thread there with your question.
If hens are molting and you're under construction, and the duck is being a jerk, that would explain no eggs.
There are several things you can do to promote egg laying. Have a look around egg laying and behavior too. Like lighting to extend the egg laying. (won't work if they're in a molt) https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/18/chicken-behaviors-and-egglaying
You can also type any subject into the search bar, like "lighting" etc
Very best of luck to you and I hope you enjoy the site!
 
If your duck is a drake (male) he will try and breed your chicken hens - duck anatomy is very different than chickens. A drake breeding a chicken hen can damage her severely or kill her in the attempt. It would be best if you rehomed the duck, or got him some female ducks to keep him happy.
 
X2 drumstick, a drake can stress out hens. I'd get him some girls, he'd pick them over the chickens but if he's only got chickens he'll try it anyway. If your duck's a hen, then she's just a jerk, and I'd try to rehome her for your chickens' sake...
 
Welcome to BYC!
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Chickens don't lay while molting and that can last a while. It sounds like the general consensus on the duck is to re-home him or get him some female duck girlfriends. Good luck with your coop build. If you have any questions, always feel free to ask.

Thanks for joining us and thank you for your service in the Navy!
 

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