Ive got one Peking Duck (definate female she sound like a fog horn) and one Indian Runner (not sure hes a pure bred because his stance is like a peking and not like a runner). the Peking is 18 weeks old and the runner a week or so younger. Im just wondering when these guys start laying because everywhere says different times! My landlord has chickens in the same run and we're having a race atm to see whos going to lay the first egg. His hens have got redder combs as a sign theyre getting close, is there any sign like that for ducks??
hello from everything that i have known from experience and talking to people ducks usually lay when they are 4 mts old and chickens when they are 6 mts old... so if a chicken has a really really read comb and is over 6 mts she will probably be laying... Dont quote me on anyof this this is just from experience and some knowledge
It really is a case of just waiting to see- Some ducks will age once they reach a certain age- other will wait til the following spring after they have hatched. They all develop a differently- like people- and although age can be used as a rough guide there are always exceptions to the rule - weather and climate can also play a part in determining when they first lay as well.. Mine do usually become a little "fuller" between the legs when they are laying - so an " egg belly " can be one indication that they are about to start laying.
Two interesting articles are on the Metzer Blog. They don't really answer your question, but they have to do with laying. http://blog.metzerfarms.com/blog/bid/28150/How-Do-I-Know-Which-of-My-Ducks-Are-Laying-Eggs
thanks I imagine its kind of like periods for girls it could happen at anytime haha. Do ducks like nest boxes??
