NO EGGS

[Quack head]

My ducks (five ducks and a drake) stopped laying eggs over two months ago and went into molt. They also has more or less stopped eating All Flock from TSC. But, they are free range and eating in and around the pond all day and my wife feeds them lots of mealworms. (Two or three handfuls a day) I have walked around the half acre pond to look for eggs and found none.

It seems they are feathered out for the winter, I am seeing a lot less feathers in and around the pond, the Drake has his head color almost back and doing his job with the females.

All the ducks are put up at dusk and let out about 6:45 - 7:00 Central time. About a half hour after it get light out and I can see across the pond.

I have just put some fake eggs in the nests today and hoping this will encourage the egg laying.

Is this normal?

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

honestly don’t encourage them to lay. ducks are bred to lay a lot of eggs and having a break for as long as possible is best

 

[cheezenkwackers]

You did not mention what kind of ducks you have. The larger, meat ducks do not lay as many eggs per year and usually stop for the winter. The egg laying breeds can lay all winter. My Khaki Campbells have done this. My oldest Khaki seems to have mostly stopped laying for good at 4 years old. I suspect when they lay more eggs per year they stop laying at a younger age.

Anyway, your ducks have either stopped for the winter or are laying their eggs elsewhere. I think the dummy eggs are a good idea. Some people have drained their ponds to find them full of old rotten eggs. Showing them where you want them is smart. Ducks often hide/bury their eggs even when they make a proper nest. So they may be hiding them behind a bush or burying them in the dirt too. You may want to wait until later in the morning to let them out. That may force them to use your nest boxes if they are currently laying.

 

[Quack head]

You did not mention what kind of ducks you have. The larger, meat ducks do not lay as many eggs per year and usually stop for the winter. The egg laying breeds can lay all winter. My Khaki Campbells have done this. My oldest Khaki seems to have mostly stopped laying for good at 4 years old. I suspect when they lay more eggs per year they stop laying at a younger age.

Anyway, your ducks have either stopped for the winter or are laying their eggs elsewhere. I think the dummy eggs are a good idea. Some people have drained their ponds to find them full of old rotten eggs. Showing them where you want them is smart. Ducks often hide/bury their eggs even when they make a proper nest. So they may be hiding them behind a bush or burying them in the dirt too. You may want to wait until later in the morning to let them out. That may force them to use your nest boxes if they are currently laying.

Thanks for your reply. I have Silver Appleyard, last year they laid all winter with only a short break. They laid so many we were giving them away. BUT, Drake and one hen are almost two years old, three hens are almost a year and one hen is only four months. We will see how it goes.

 

[AyemTater]

I'm having a similar issue. All 4 of my khaki campbell hens have completely stopped laying eggs. They completed their molt in late December. One is 3 yo and the others are almost 2 yo. Our khaki drake has been observed mating with our 3 yo pekin (she is still laying daily) so we know he's functional, but haven't observed him mating with his khaki girls.
Could this be a dietary issue? Like calcium or folic acid? It's been almost a month and I'm anxious to start our hatching season. The birds stay in their pen until 7:30-8 easter standard time and released to a fenced in area with a kiddie pool. No place to hide eggs. I check on the flock 3-4 times a day. I'm at a loss and not sure what to do or if there's anything to do. I'm open to suggestions.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I'm having a similar issue. All 4 of my khaki campbell hens have completely stopped laying eggs. They completed their molt in late December. One is 3 yo and the others are almost 2 yo. Our khaki drake has been observed mating with our 3 yo pekin (she is still laying daily) so we know he's functional, but haven't observed him mating with his khaki girls.
Could this be a dietary issue? Like calcium or folic acid? It's been almost a month and I'm anxious to start our hatching season. The birds stay in their pen until 7:30-8 easter standard time and released to a fenced in area with a kiddie pool. No place to hide eggs. I check on the flock 3-4 times a day. I'm at a loss and not sure what to do or if there's anything to do. I'm open to suggestions.

I think this is perfectly normal and actually good for your girls. Their bodies need a break. I do not think it is a dietary issue unless you have some reason to think they arent getting a good, quality diet. I suspect that as the days get longer all of their hormones will start increasing and you will have more eggs than you know what to do with.

 

[AyemTater]

I was a little concerned about their diet because we stopped free ranging when the shorter days of winter began. Hubby and I are expanding their 100 sq ft yard another 100 sq ft which will give them access to more bugs and a patch of sword ferns. They absolutely love the leaves and root balls.
I will trust my girls and thank you for a gentle reminder that patience is all I need.