What time do your ducks lay?

[rubyrogue]

I have had my new ducks for about a week now. I have three that lay. I have gotten three eggs a day exept for 2 day where I got two(or just cant find them in the bedding) IT seems like these girls lay really early. I let them out at 7:30 the sun is just barely up. But all three have laid by the time I let them out. My chickens don't start laying till at least 9am. Are ducks just early layers?

 

[LuckyDuck411]

Mine lay somewhere between 4:30 am and 7 am...some days it later...But they just started laying in December.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Generally yes, it is safer for wild ducks to lay in the dark and the pattern seems to carry over to domestics.

 

[dumb_cluck]

My mallards lay just before daylight.

 

[rubyrogue]

So do ducks also have better eyesight? Two of them are making it into the "nestbox" ( a rubbermaid container turned upside down with a hole in the side). So I am thinking they have better eyesight to be able to make it into the box?

 

[pringle]

Probably,they are a lot smarter then most people give them credit for.

 

[FenDruadin]

Lucky you--mine lay anywhere between the wee hours of the morning and 10 am. It varies widely. Right now, I'd be happy if they were laying at any time of day.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Hey NC you are pushing too early. If they were laying now they would be risking their eggs freezing at night. I am just a bit north of you and nights have been Cold!!

 

[FenDruadin]

Good point. But GEEZ I'm hungry for fresh duck eggs!!

 

[gofasterstripe]

Mine are usually all done laying by the time I let them out by 8ish, sometimes tho I will find 1 in the yard. I once let them out at 7 because I was going out and came home to 4 eggs in the yard.