Too cold?

[louieloui]

Forgive my stupidity, but we've never had ducks before and I haven't found a ton of information about them. We have 5 Muscovies (2 boys, 3 girls) who are approximately 8 mos. old and we've recently caught the boys mating w/the females. I thought this wouldn't happen until the spring when it warmed up? I take it this is not the case? Should I be hunting for eggs in the snow and/or are the girls even old enough to be laying yet?

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

I would look at where ever they sleep as that is usually where the ducks will lay their eggs. My ducks are 6 months old and started laying in January. I think only the pekins are laying at the moment as I am getting 2-3 eggs a day from the ducks and they are white in color.

Mating it a precurser to egg laying. So it may still be a week or two before they lay an egg.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Quote:
Only would have been stupid if you didnt ask the question!!

There is actually plenty of information here on this forum already- and you can use the search function to help finding it but there are some other very good sights online- keep googling and Im sure you will turn up heaps of info on muscovies.

Muscovies generally tend to be more season layers- especially in comparison to campbells and runners- who are more known for their egg laying capabilities. You may find that they wait until spring before they start laying- but they are certainly old enough to lay now at 8 months old. The males may mate almost year round- even if the females arent laying.