When are my Khaki Cambells supposed to start laiyng?

[Holland4]

I have a female and male Khaki, they were born last week in April 2015. I have yet to get any eggs, just wondering if this is normal or should I be concerned? They are housed with chickens and all but 1 chicken have started laying for about a month now. I also know that my ducks have been mating, does that make a difference? I am new to the duck world (and loving EVERY minute of it), but if I could get some tips/help I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

 

[jducour]

You should start to see some eggs soon. Are you feeding her laying feed - or offering her oyster shell? Most khaki Campbell eggs are white - could she be laying, and you're not sure? The ducks mating doesn't make a difference, but it does show they are sexually maturing. Does she let you hold her? If you feel her pelvis, you can tell if she is laying eggs or close to laying eggs by the width of her pelvis bones. Let me know if you need directions for that.

 

[Carcajou]

I have a female and male Khaki, they were born last week in April 2015. I have yet to get any eggs, just wondering if this is normal or should I be concerned? They are housed with chickens and all but 1 chicken have started laying for about a month now. I also know that my ducks have been mating, does that make a difference? I am new to the duck world (and loving EVERY minute of it), but if I could get some tips/help I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

Mine started laying at 18 weeks. Like jducour says their eggs are white and the first ones are smaller which would make them chicken egg sized so you may be getting some eggs right now. They will eventually be larger than the chicken eggs.

 

[Holland4]

Hi ~ Yes we are feeding her laying pellets along with Oyster shells. She could be laying somewhere else I suppose, but I would think we would see. They free range along with my chickens. When we got our ducks we also got our chickens and they all roam together. If one strays from the "pack" then they all run to catch up (it's quite cute), so we normally know where they are. When our chickens first started laying we let them out in a small run attached to the coop so they all would start laying in the coop. It worked, they all free range, but go back in the nesting boxes to lay. I was hoping my duck would do that do, but she hasn't started laying yet. Yes we can hold her and pick her up, but we have the male right there watching every move we make with her.....too cute. He would never hurt us, but her protects his "lady". I would love some directions on how to feel her pelvis, anything help would be much appreciated!! Thank you.

 

[Holland4]

Ok, all of our eggs so far are brown.....we have 2 rhode island reds and 3 golden stars. Their eggs started off really small and have eventually gotten bigger. So I am waiting for some white eggs

 

[Carcajou]

Ok, all of our eggs so far are brown.....we have 2 rhode island reds and 3 golden stars. Their eggs started off really small and have eventually gotten bigger. So I am waiting for some white eggs

She may be laying somewhere outside. They can be pretty sneaky about where they lay and hide their eggs well. I recently found a new nest with 6 eggs in it and it was right under my nose! You may just have to spend a morning watching her every move.

 

[jducour]

Hi ~ Yes we are feeding her laying pellets along with Oyster shells. She could be laying somewhere else I suppose, but I would think we would see. They free range along with my chickens. When we got our ducks we also got our chickens and they all roam together. If one strays from the "pack" then they all run to catch up (it's quite cute), so we normally know where they are. When our chickens first started laying we let them out in a small run attached to the coop so they all would start laying in the coop. It worked, they all free range, but go back in the nesting boxes to lay. I was hoping my duck would do that do, but she hasn't started laying yet. Yes we can hold her and pick her up, but we have the male right there watching every move we make with her.....too cute. He would never hurt us, but her protects his "lady". I would love some directions on how to feel her pelvis, anything help would be much appreciated!! Thank you.

Hold her with one arm, you'll have to find a way that works for you. Run your hand down her belly and feel for her hip bones. They will be two sharp bones in the fluffy part of her bum. If they are two finger widths apart, she isn't laying, and wont be in the next few days. If they are three fingers width, she is close to laying. If they are 4 finger widths apart, she is laying. I keep my ducks locked up until 8, to ensure they lay in their coop. A duck will not typically walk back to the coop to lay an egg. They will either find a better place to make a nest, or will drop the egg wherever they are when it comes.

 

[Holland4]

Great thanks good to know. So keep them locked up until 8....so does that mean they normally lay before 8 am? Also if they are mating already, will she have a fertile egg and if she does do they typically sit on them or just leave them after she lays them? Also do you have to have different incubators for duck eggs than chicken eggs?

 

[Holland4]

Wow, thanks good to know! Would those eggs still be good? What time does your typically lay?

 

[rockriver]

Great thanks good to know.  So keep them locked up until 8....so does that mean they normally lay before 8 am?  Also if they are mating already, will she have a fertile egg and if she does do they typically sit on them or just leave them after she lays them?  Also do you have to have different incubators for duck eggs than chicken eggs?

Eggs will be fertilized and most incubators are suitable to hatch ducks also a broody hen will hatch them too