Waiting on duck eggs???

[ssmith41068]

Hello everyone!!! I have a pair of mallards that are 21 weeks old. I am wondering when to expect my female to lay her first egg?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Since Mallards are seasonal layers probably next spring. My Muscovy are the same seasonal they lay spring through Oct.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Domestic ducks, bred for egg-production start to lay at ~4½ months (30 weeks), i am not sure, but think that Mallards should be a month later.
My white Layers started at 4½ months, the Buff-Orpingtons and Magpies at 5 months and the Indian Runners at 6. With your Mallards i wouldn't expect eggs before next spring, because ducks stop laying during the shorter days.

 

[ssmith41068]

Since Mallards are seasonal layers probably next spring. My Muscovy are the same seasonal they lay spring through Oct.

Thank you for that info. I am new to the whole duck raising, so any and all info is so very much appreciated. They free range for the majority of the day and evening. I only pen them at night but half my run isn't covered and they some times fly out. I just didn't want to worry about left eggs in the yard.

 

[ssmith41068]

Domestic ducks, bred for egg-production start to lay at ~4½ months (30 weeks), i am not sure, but think that Mallards should be a month later.
My white Layers started at 4½ months, the Buff-Orpingtons and Magpies at 5 months and the Indian Runners at 6. With your Mallards i wouldn't expect eggs before next spring, because ducks stop laying during the shorter days.

Thank you so much for info. Like I replied to Miss Lydia, I'm new to all of this so any info is great.

 

[chickens really]

Probably nothing till next spring? I don't expect my Young hens to lay till spring either...