Pekin laying questions

[trainman]

I have 2 Pekin drakes and 6 hens. They have started laying recently. They seem to lay the eggs wherever they are at the time. I have a shelter for them with a nest box but they don't lay in there even though they all will "hang" around inside at times. . They seem to like laying in the pond along the edge of the bank but never in the same spot. Is there a way to get them to lay in one spot consistently so we don't have an Eater Egg hunt every day?

Also......do ducks cackle or make noises like a chicken after laying an egg? I haven't noticed them doing that but it would probably help locate the eggs.

Thanks!

 

[Amiga]

I have runners, but there are some things that many domestic ducks do, and laying eggs here and there seems to be one of them.

What helps here is a couple of things - not to let them out too early (usually eggs are laid by 9, and there are exceptions). Another is having an outdoor area they are kept till a little later in the day, so narrow down the area to search in.

And sometimes I still miss eggs buried in the bedding!

 

[signdmush228]

My ducks lay eggs pretty much anywhere in our yard.. But we've found that they do it more under shade or under a low hanging branch or shelter.
Try setting up a table-like sawhorse with some hay underneath. This will serve as a shelter/shade area for all ducks, and the hens will use it as a nesting site eventually.

Good luck and welcome to BYC!