Please Help, My Ducks Aren't Laying Eggs!

[Ratchnick]

Some people supplement with cat food which is usually about 35% protein to help with molt and stimulate egg production. Usually 14 to 16 hours of light is used to force them to lay through the winter, if your not getting 14 hours of light that is likely a problem.

 

[Conan]

Was last winter their first winter? If so, first year layers will often lay through winter, even without supplemental light. This is a first year only treat. Your birds may lay during following winters, but it will be much more sporadic, if at all.

Rest assured, though. They will fire back up as soon as the days lengthen!

 

[DucksOhio]

I am not providing oyster shell on the side. What is it for? Where do you get it?

My layers have stopped completely... but I did notice that my one Cayuga girl (who used to be completely black) is getting more white feathers (we have a drake who mates aggressively which damages the underlying feather follicles) so maybe they aren't finished growing back feathers after all! My husband says if they aren't going to lay anymore, we need to consider a duck dinner so I'm really hoping these girls get their act together! Yikes.

Oyster shells provide extra calcium for the laying girls, which is essential for healthy reproductive systems. Here’s the product I found works best, keep some in a separate bowl:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UIM7N0A/?tag=backy-20

 

[Skyranchmom]

I am not providing oyster shell on the side. What is it for? Where do you get it?

My layers have stopped completely... but I did notice that my one Cayuga girl (who used to be completely black) is getting more white feathers (we have a drake who mates aggressively which damages the underlying feather follicles) so maybe they aren't finished growing back feathers after all! My husband says if they aren't going to lay anymore, we need to consider a duck dinner so I'm really hoping these girls get their act together! Yikes.

My Peking stopped laying about a month ago, they weren't fertile until around 11/1/22, so I took eggs, they started molting around this time, I have added oyster shell and it's the one thing the birds are not eating, there is oystershell all over ground. They were good layers until recently.

 

[Newfowler1]

My black Runner this was a few months ago she is even more white nowView attachment 1932801

My Cayuga girls now all have white feathers like this at 2-3 yrs old. I love my little black and white gals! So gentle

 

[BelovedBirds]

My Peking stopped laying about a month ago, they weren't fertile until around 11/1/22, so I took eggs, they started molting around this time, I have added oyster shell and it's the one thing the birds are not eating, there is oystershell all over ground. They were good layers until recently.

Did she stop around the time of going into moult? How old is she?
Egg production really drops this time of year, and will stop if they go into moult.

 

[Miss Lydia]

None of my ducks or chickens are laying.
They went into molt and most are now done but still no eggs.
Ducks 3 years up to 11 yrs old
chickens 1 year up to 5 yrs.

This time of year with the lack of daylight it's pretty typical. Winter is a time of rest.

 

[3xhhheather]

I have one hold out and I'm worried she's never going to molt and have a rough time next year with waterproofing. Tried to tell her I'm good with buying eggs from someone else, just go ahead and blow your feathers lol

 

[BelovedBirds]

I have one hold out and I'm worried she's never going to molt and have a rough time next year with waterproofing. Tried to tell her I'm good with buying eggs from someone else, just go ahead and blow your feathers lol

how old is she?
My girls havent had a proper moult, but theyre under a year. I dont think its uncommon for them to have a smaller than usual moult if its their first one

 

[3xhhheather]

how old is she?
My girls havent had a proper moult, but theyre under a year. I dont think its uncommon for them to have a smaller than usual moult if its their first one

She's going into her second winter, so she's overdue for it, most of her black feathers are shades of brown :/