Waiting for the elusive duck egg....

[pamelajean]

So I have three mixed breed ducks that are now 18 weeks old. They are all female. I expect they might start laying any day. Or they might not. So, some questions:

1. Do I make a nesting box with a golf ball or something for them in their coop? Do ducks generally use nesting boxes?
2. I know the gals will need extra calcium when they start laying - do you provide it before they start or once you see they have already layed?
3. Are there any physical signs that can be seen by a newbie to indicate the gals are getting ready to lay? (I read somewhere that their underbellies can look swollen/lumped...anyone have experience with this?)

 

[CarleeAnn]

My ducks didn’t start laying until over 5 months. I have a Blue Swedish and a Cayuga, my Blue started laying first and Cayuga almost a full month after, both the same age.

1. Do I make a nesting box with a golf ball or something for them in their coop? Do ducks generally use nesting boxes?

From my experience ducks do not need nesting boxes, my girls just plop their eggs in the coop. I noticed they did dig a little divot in the ground though.


2. I know the gals will need extra calcium when they start laying - do you provide it before they start or once you see they have already layed?

I started providing oyster shells to the ducks food when my first one started laying- so both I suppose! My Cayuga ate it before she started laying. Didn’t notice any difference, couldn’t hurt to do it a little before.


3. Are there any physical signs that can be seen by a newbie to indicate the gals are getting ready to lay? (I read somewhere that their underbellies can look swollen/lumped...anyone have experience with this?)

My Blue is already a little plump so no belly signs, but she did start to lay down more often. It takes a lot of energy to make eggs so they will probably be a little sluggish. My Cayuga did seem to be a little saggier just before she started laying, but I couldn’t really tell, I think I was just anxious.

 

[CntryBoy777]

My Khaki Campbells started at 17wks and the Rouens at 19wks....we feed the Layena Plus pellets, they have added oyster shell and omega-3 in the feed so oyster shells are not needed. Most ducks lay their eggs between 5-8am, so if ya leave them in their coop til around 8:30-9am they will lay in the coop, otherwjse they are subject to lay anhwhere and it is like an egg hunt each day...they will drop them any and everywhere. We have 10 hens and 1 drake and every once in a while we find an egg or 2 out where they range in the pasture, but most all will lay in the coop. As far as signs before laying, I am unaware of any. The breeds that ykurs are a cross of will determine the age of average egg laying time....some are 22-25wks.

 

[pamelajean]

My Khaki Campbells started at 17wks and the Rouens at 19wks....we feed the Layena Plus pellets, they have added oyster shell and omega-3 in the feed so oyster shells are not needed. Most ducks lay their eggs between 5-8am, so if ya leave them in their coop til around 8:30-9am they will lay in the coop, otherwjse they are subject to lay anhwhere and it is like an egg hunt each day...they will drop them any and everywhere. We have 10 hens and 1 drake and every once in a while we find an egg or 2 out where they range in the pasture, but most all will lay in the coop. As far as signs before laying, I am unaware of any. The breeds that ykurs are a cross of will determine the age of average egg laying time....some are 22-25wks.

I don't have the luxury of letting them stay in their coop that late, unfortunately I start work at 7 so doors are opened at 530 and they come out when they want. I have been checking the yard. Fortunately there aren't too many hiding spots. It's mostly mowed grass, except for where they have done their ducky thing and tore it up the grass to dig and play and dig and play. I am so excited for my first egg! I hope I get one before winter sets in and they decide to wait until spring!

 

[CarleeAnn]

I forgot, two days before my Cayuga started laying she went missing! We still don’t know where she was hiding. But in our search for her we did find one of those divots in the ground, a nest, behind a small palm with an egg in it! We did know how long it was there because I never really look behind there so we threw it away. No one goes back there, always an egg in the coop in middle of the ground if late! But I suppose our duck going missing was a sign she was about to start.

 

[pamelajean]

Almost 5 months old now, and still no eggs.
I keep hoping but I might need to adjust my expectations and just wait until spring. Sigh. I have been tempted to adopt a couple girls who are already laying, but would the stress of moving homes make them stop anyways?

 

[chickens really]

Your Ducks very young...Your worrying too much...I'm Canadian too and Have a couple young hens in my Flock...They won't lay till spring...Also my older Hens are done for the season...

 

[pamelajean]

Your Ducks very young...Your worrying too much...I'm Canadian too and Have a couple young hens in my Flock...They won't lay till spring...Also my older Hens are done for the season...

Just impatient and overly excited! Super happy to report we got our first egg yesterday! And another one today in the nest this time.

 

[chickens really]

Just impatient and overly excited! Super happy to report we got our first egg yesterday! And another one today in the nest this time. View attachment 1190575