Pekin ducks mating for the first time

[PeanutnCashew]

Scott, I hope you get what you want!! only time will tell My two have a very "obvious' quack difference, but you never know!

 

[ducklucky]

Must agree, the drakes definitely have a lower and gentle "wack" where the females are quite mouthy and loud (wow, aren't we all!). Lucky's tail curled at about 12 weeks, and the girls are acting sexually aggressive toward each other, but just think they're feeling their oats so to speak, at 4 months. Think they just don't know what to do with those hormnes raging. Whatever, as long as no one gets hurt, we're all for gay marriage LOL.

 

[ducklucky]

Woo-Hoo everyone!!! After a couple of weeks of bizarre mating behavior, females on top of females on top of females in the pool, a duck train, while the drake stood by and watched, all this at 16 weeks. Happened every day. Well, today at 2 days shy of 18 weeks, had the first egg. Was amazed. Weighed in at 2.9 oz., a jumbo chicken is 2.5. Always feed the first eggs to the dogs, just because, and it was a double yolker and nice hard shell! Think I know which one it was, she has been real affectionate with me, just plopped it next to the waterer, couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it, thought it was a large and scarey poop. So excited, cleaned their pen and put in some extra boxes with fake eggs to try to train them to lay there, altho know my chances are slim. Has anyone had a Pekin lay this early? Will have to keep an eye on them, does that trigger the others to get going? Has anyone had success with "training" with fake eggs? Just wonderin', our property is huge and hate to have the ladies shooting them out all over the place.)

 

[Marty1876]

Ducks are always an adventure, aren't they?

No, no pekings lay that early, but I know it happens. It won't make the others lay faster though, they take until 6 or 7 monthes usually. I do use a nest, and my ducks like the privacy better than the open. I've never tried fake eggs, but no reason not too. I'd definately give them layer boxes, and congrats on the new egg! Sometimes, they lay, then stop again for awhile. You know how it is.

 

[ducklucky]

Thanks for the input. Second egg today, another double yolker, right by the waterer as the first one. Do have boxes for them, and did put in fake eggs, but no go. Think she is just inexperienced, and obviously backed up with eggs, hence the double yolkers. They don't give a hoot about the egg, they walk all over it, and actually pushed the fake egg out of the box, so...I thought this was pretty early as well, wasn't expecting them for weeks, but very happy to see it. They're pretty big for their age at 18 weeks, but they're spoiled rotten, so maybe that has something to do with it. Yes, know how it goes, you get all excited when they start laying, and then, nothing. Oh well, we shall see, as long as they are happy and healthy they can do whatever they want, but the dogs sure enjoy these first eggs. Don't like to eat them til they've laid a few, just because...get the junk out? But if she keeps it up, will be eating one this week, and will give her extra loving. She's definitely imprinted with me for some reason, she gets right in my face and talks to me and lets me stroke her neck, they're so weird sometimes. The drake continues to stand by, but he has a girlfriend that he prefers, so we'll see what happens. So much fun

 

[zooweemama]

Mine are almost 19 weeks old and mating like crazy. No eggs.

 

[Marty1876]

Yes, they start the mating rituals at 3 months sometimes. Glad she's still laying. If shes happy, no need for concern. She's just an early bloomer.

 

[PeanutnCashew]

Ducklucky, my Pekin is 4 months and has laid an egg every day last 5 days...every morning! I tell her every night to lay a golden egg, or silver! lol

First one seemed small but the rest are good size and I find them clean like a store bought egg!

How long will this every morning egg laying last I wonder?

 

[chickchickchiky]

Well i got my pair in April and they started to mate about July now i am getting an egg a day just started 4 days ago! I used a dog house with hay and i put a golf ball in there a she is laying there everyday early in the morning the egg is there when i go out to feed. The first egg was out by the kiddy pool and my puppy got it. It was small but the next day she layed in the nest box and it was normal sized egg and i know it's her cause she is the only female duck out there old enough to lay. I have not cracked one open yet waiting to get a few to bake with want to make a Spanish flan although my husband want to eat one and try it.

 

[Mum]

Quote: Let him try it! Ducks eggs are lurvely