Warm Temps, more mating, effects on Laying?

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Just wondering about how the weather is effecting all of the above? I noticed next to no eggs when the weather was super cold, then had a few days where half the flock was laying! So is the weather confusing the Ladies? And then there's the drakes... Is the warmer weather making them get more aggressive with the mating? What do you experts think?

 

[Amiga]

Our flock of runners and buffs are still on vacation from laying. We introduced a drake in September, and shortly after that, everyone stopped laying. Hmmm. This is our first drake, so I am learning as we go.

Speaking of drakes, the past week or so Bean has finally begun to respond to the intense flirting from some of the ducks, especially Romy. Both Bean and Romy are buffs.

Several runners are acting more romantic, or sending out notices that they have found or are looking for nesting spots. So, it's stirring, and ours started before the mild weather.

 

[myfinefeatheredfriends]

The mating and egg laying should increase when the weather starts to get warmer. The ducks are probably just stiff from the cold. It'll start up again, don't worry.

 

[Nebraskagirl]

Several runners are acting more romantic, or sending out notices that they have found or are looking for nesting spots. So, it's stirring, and ours started before the mild weather.

Amiga what do you mean by "looking for nesting spots." What should I be looking for when it comes to that. I just have one duck and one drake, both the same breed.

 

[Amiga]

Well, I don't write duck noises very well, but the ducks wander around the garden, poking their heads near brushy areas, lean in, and call into the area, a staccato a a a a a a a a a a a, repeated over and over again.

When they REALLY like a spot, they will walk in and start shoving mulch back with their feet, turning around and around, and might even plunk themselves down, tail up, as they continue the a a a a a a a a a a a call.

Gosh, I love these animals.

 

[blondiebee181]

Well, I don't write duck noises very well, but the ducks wander around the garden, poking their heads near brushy areas, lean in, and call into the area, a staccato a a a a a a a a a a a, repeated over and over again.

When they REALLY like a spot, they will walk in and start shoving mulch back with their feet, turning around and around, and might even plunk themselves down, tail up, as they continue the a a a a a a a a a a a call.

Gosh, I love these animals.

Aw, how adorable! Ducks really are so cool. I may be helping run a backyard chicken class at one of our feed stores this Spring and I want to give a brief stint on ducks too.

 

[fowl farm]

Amiga what do you mean by "looking for nesting spots." What should I be looking for when it comes to that. I just have one duck and one drake, both the same breed.

Trust me, you'll know when they're looking. Ah, funny birds.

 

[Nebraskagirl]

Well, I don't write duck noises very well, but the ducks wander around the garden, poking their heads near brushy areas, lean in, and call into the area, a staccato a a a a a a a a a a a, repeated over and over again.

When they REALLY like a spot, they will walk in and start shoving mulch back with their feet, turning around and around, and might even plunk themselves down, tail up, as they continue the a a a a a a a a a a a call.

Gosh, I love these animals.

Ohhhhh, so that is why she has been looking like that. She is rooting around and nosing EVERYWHERE. I just thought she was foraging (which she could be too.) But she calls and honks, it is way cute. She has the little squeaky ducky sound she makes quietly while she roots and then every now and then it gets loud.
Thanks for the reply!

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Just to update, winter returned here... And no more eggs.

 

[blondiebee181]

They will probably hold off until Spring ...I'm getting antsy, I got my girls in July and they are just now about prime laying age...so they are waiting...