What age do ducks come on to lay?

[Quailpower]

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??

 

[animalbaby4everandalwyz]

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

 

[duckyfromoz]

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.

 

[katharinad]

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

 

[Quailpower]

thanks I imagine its kind of like periods for girls it could happen at anytime haha.

Do ducks like nest boxes??