When do ducks start laying and how long?

[verlyn78]

Well that is good to know. I will have to wait for spring. If they are ducks.

 

[cskotek]

You will be better off chatting in the ornamental area for the mandarins and winterizing them. Domestic ducks over here in the duck section since they do have different housing set ups.

No one in that section ever replies and when they do its reallllly long after the post has been made

 

[Duckies8]

My ducks started even before they were even 1.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

most ducks lay long before they are 1 year old. however if they are late summer hatches they often dont start till the next spring, but is still before they are 1

 

[Bridgertrot]

Our Rouen's just had their first egg today! Well...at least one of them did. They are about 6 months. It's been around freezing temps, but not as cold as usual for Colorado, and I've been turning on a heat lamp for them if the temperature gets below freezing. I figured they would wait till spring though.

 

[zooweemama]

It's dark, stormy and rainy and in the past month I have had 4 ducks start laying. I am up to 9 layers in my flock of 11 and get about 8 eggs a day (some days 7, some 9). Yesterday we only had 5 which was a surprise but this happens every few weeks- like they need to rest for a day. I don't mind. We turn the lights on for about 30 minutes in evening ONLY because the ducks come home right before dark and they cannot see their supper. Lights out as soon as everyone eats. If they come to bed before it gets too dark, we do not turn the lights on. So I do not think the random 30 minutes of extra light is really doing anything for their laying. We do not provide heat for them, just a nice sturdy dry shelter. They are doing great! They are on the pond right now while we are having the worst series of storms in decades having a blast! lol

 

[cskotek]

Well, All of my ducks started to "do their thing" Yay!!! I am impatiently waiting for the first egg.... I did just buy a 1588 egg incubator so it would be nice to get a few eggs so I can try out the new bator! I am very happy that the male pekins finally figured out that the female peking I got for them is existant haha. I can't wait for eggs!!!

 

[Chicken Techie]

interesting info, thanks everyone, I have 2 Cayugas and they are awesome, we got them last year and I had hoped for some eggs before winter but it didn't happen, they are fully grown now and i am fairly confident that they are not drakes. I never heat my coop,but I do have a light on for them in the winter because my coop is a converted horse stall in my barn and there was literally no light before. i did install a window but its so dark in there in the winter that i decided a light was a good idea, its not much of a light just a 13w for a 10x10 coop, enough to see but its not replicating the sun at all. I have never had duck eggs yet but i am told they are delicious. I am wondering though, if they start laying this year, will they continue to lay through next winter? and how long do ducks typically lay for? thanks all. also considering getting some pekins and some blue swedish ducks, any input on those breeds?

 

[Gypsy52]

Laaaaaame! Will putting a light up help? Or is it just an instinct because it's getting colder they know to wait until Spring?

I totally agree to no light, it bothers mevwhen i sleep at nite, affecting hio rhythms
, I would thinknnits the same w chickens and ducks

 

[NDgoatgirlNV]

My Indian Runner girls started laying at around 5 months of age... They were purchased in early/mid April of this year, They have been in the pen with my drakes for a couple of months I have already successfully incubated and hatched 3 babies from them... I guess just like humans, it kind of depends on the duck when they will start ovulation, LOL.