This duck refuses to lay eggs!

[Saigey]

Hemmie is now just over a year old, and has laid exactly one egg, last December. She still works on her nest, eats, mates, plays, poops, snuggles, swims, quacks, and does all healthy duckie things. She had a big molt a couple of months ago, and everything has pretty much grown back. The thing is- she does seem to be getting chunkier and heavier. It's not her abdomen, it's all in booty area, and the area is not hard, distended, warm, or tender. Thoughts? Here are some pics. She had just been swimming in some of the photos, so the feathers are a bit fluffed.

 

[416bigbore]

What little cuties they are ! Sorry I cant help you, I am kind of having first time egg issues with ours and will need to ask the experts also. Good luck, I am sure someone will be around shortly to help you.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Is she allowed to free range or has access to a large area? Some ducks like to hide their eggs. My one duck is good at hiding her eggs in my English Ivy right up against the house

 

[RShayne]

Are you sure about her age (did you raise her yourself). Unless she is having medical issues or is too old she is laying eggs, you just are not finding them. If they are free ranging during the morning hours you have what I would call "Advance Easter Egg Hunt". She will probably have a hidden nest.

What kind of feed is she getting? Oyster shells free choice?

 

[Saigey]

What little cuties they are ! Sorry I cant help you, I am kind of having first time egg issues with ours and will need to ask the experts also. Good luck, I am sure someone will be around shortly to help you.

Thank you! They are mischievous and funny! Hemmie is the girl, and Downey is the little man. He's the darker of the two!

 

[Saigey]

Is she allowed to free range or has access to a large area? Some ducks like to hide their eggs. My one duck is good at hiding her eggs in my English Ivy right up against the house

They have supervised outside time, but I always stay with them because of the million hawks and other predators out here. I did do a good check under the ferns in the garden, just to make sure.

 

[Saigey]

Are you sure about her age (did you raise her yourself). Unless she is having medical issues or is too old she is laying eggs, you just are not finding them. If they are free ranging during the morning hours you have what I would call "Advance Easter Egg Hunt". She will probably have a hidden nest.

What kind of feed is she getting? Oyster shells free choice?

I got her at 2 days old, and he was a day old. When they get me up first thing in the morning I let them play in the bath, then give them outside time later in the day. They are on Flock Party (by Manna Pro) egg layer crumbles, with free choice oyster shells. They have oats to forage for in their indoor enclosure, and get romaine lettuce, peas, or apple once a day, occasionally twice.

 

[Saigey]

@Miss Lydia , @DuckyDonna , STILL no eggs!

 

[RShayne]

I got her at 2 days old, and he was a day old. When they get me up first thing in the morning I let them play in the bath, then give them outside time later in the day. They are on Flock Party (by Manna Pro) egg layer crumbles, with free choice oyster shells. They have oats to forage for in their indoor enclosure, and get romaine lettuce, peas, or apple once a day, occasionally twice.

Not too old and great feed. Can they stay in their enclosure for a week, no free range time and make sure she has a nice dark place to lay in (nothing fancy but dark)? If you can see the nest it is too open.

 

[Saigey]

Not too old and great feed. Can they stay in their enclosure for a week, no free range time and make sure she has a nice dark place to lay in (nothing fancy but dark)? If you can see the nest it is too open.

Yep. They are primarily indoor ducks because of predators and my dad's unhealthy habit of noisy yardwork with backfiring gas powered tools. She has a little hidey hole nesting box in their enclosure, and I can easily cover it better.