reneging on a duck-deal...

[chickensducks&agoose]

My buddy wanted to have 2 ducks to help keep his garden bug-free this summer... so i gave him 2 of my girls (a blue swede and a white swede mix one with a dark bill they're sisters).. anyway, he got someone else to give him 2 other ducks (runners mix), and they were both boys. ONe of the boys got eaten by a fox, but then both my ducks went broody, and between them, hatched out 3 babies... So anyway, my buddy's wife started giving him a hard time about the whole duck situation, so he's giving me back my 2 ducks.... I feel sad that they're leaving their babies, but it's been 4 or 5 weeks since they hatched, and I'm okay with having the ladies back... how long will it take them to start laying eggs again do you think, and how long do I need to separate them?

 

[Dances with Ducks]

My Runner started laying about four weeks after she hatched out a clutch. I think Swedes are more seasonal layers so at this time of year they may not start again until spring, it depends on their individual tendencies.
Are you separating to keep them from spreading any pathogens they may have picked up while living at your friend's place from spreading to the rest of your flock? In that case the recommended time is one month. But if you see that your friend's little flock looks healthy I wouldn't stress about it too much.