possibilites for my Cayuga's to no be laying?

[rekkas peeps]

I have 2 Cayuga Ducks about 7-9 months old. Im almost positive they are females because they do not have the curled drake feather. we have gotten no eggs from them at all. they are housed with my chickens and all get along fine. plenty of food, water and treats for all. they have their own area in the coop where the hunker down at night. any ideas why they haven't laid? any thoughts would be aprreciated?

 

[dennin7418]

All my ducks, including Cayugas, stopped laying since Thanksgiving...I got a few eggs this past week I'm assuming because the days are getting longer...Likely just the season.

 

[jdywntr]

I agree. They turned old enough to start in fall/winter. That is typically off season. You should start seeing eggs soon as the days are getting longer.

 

[Freakmonger]

So laying then is associated with the day length, and if so can artificial light be added to induce laying?

 

[rekkas peeps]

they've never even laid in summer/fall time. no eggs from then EVER..... i think my ducks are just protesting

 

[jdywntr]

So laying then is associated with the day length, and if so can artificial light be added to induce laying?

Yes but care needs to be taken in adding light. Adding light throws off their natural rhythm. It is harder on them and likely to result in a faster decline in egglaying (over time) I am not an expert in it and, frankly, don't recommend it, but light needs to be added slowly, decreased slowly and then you need to force molt them. I prefer my birds to be as natural as possible.

they've never even laid in summer/fall time. no eggs from then EVER..... i think my ducks are just protesting

They were just getting to the age of laying when fall came. 6 months is the average age for laying to start but because they weren't this age when the days started getting shorter they didn't start. You should start seeing eggs soon.

 

[rekkas peeps]

UPDATE!!!!!
we FOUND and egg!! we actually found an egg!!!! im so excited i had to tell you all!! silly babies hid it real good!! im super excited!!!

 

[Amiga]

 

[Carcajou]

UPDATE!!!!!
we FOUND and egg!! we actually found an egg!!!! im so excited i had to tell you all!! silly babies hid it real good!! im super excited!!!

 

[Nebraskagirl]

I was thinking the same thing about my welsh harlequin. She was hatched last spring and was just getting old enough to lay this fall. So far, no eggs from her. She is the only duck and I KNOW she is not hiding eggs from the area where she is locked up at night. I just need to be patient...but it is SO HARD. Congrats on the egg. Hopefully mine will follow soon, however we just got dumped 9 inches of snow on us so I am thinking it will be awhile yet