when will my call duck lay eggs

[nosduj]

i just got a call duck and i was wondering when she will start laying and also what type of environment she needs to lay eggs

 

[satay]

Sorry firstly I don't have call ducks but when i read your post I thought about my muscoveys and Khaki Campbells. People often ask me when they lay and my response is always "whenever they darn feel like it" that is because especially the muscoveys I have never found and exact pattern to their laying it just seems to be they lay when they feel like it lol.

I think mine start to lay around 6 months of age.

 

[lowcountrypoultry]

I don't have call ducks, so I am running off Muscovies and other Mallard Derived ducks, which I would imagine call ducks are mallard derived.


They should be able to produce eggs at around 6-8 months of age, and will lay eggs when they are trying to make a nest. Good conditions for a nest box are lots of straw or another bedding material and they should lay on their own, it is kind of a "lay when they want to" thing when it comes to non-production ducks.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

My calls look like they will start very soon. When they are getting ready to lay, their abdomen starts to get fuller. Last year mine started on march 10th. Call Ducks need water that they can swim in for breeding. They do mate out of the water, but I have never seen it. So make sure that you have plenty of fresh swimming water for them.

Also, if you havent, start them on layer pellets. I also supplement with alfalfa pellets, and some oyster shells, or calcium chips.

I give my girls a nest. Some people let them lay on the wire, but I prefer them to lay their eggs in nest. I use a 5 gallon bucket, with a hole cut in it. I fill it up with hay, straw, and shavings.

Here is a picture of the type of nest I use. Very easy to make, and the perfect size for call ducks. Its also very easy to clean. The picture is from last year of one of my pet calls sitting on the nest. (she made a very good broody, by the way)

 

[Just a Country Girl]

Cute picture! I bought my first pair of White Call Ducks last year ( I love them !! So cute!!) and am hoping for babies this spring. Do they lay their first year? The pond is still frozen but they have been breeding in their big water bowl inside the barn. I was wondering what kind of nest I should build. The bucket would be nice and easy. Thanks for the info and the picture

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
Yes. Call Ducks will lay their first year. If hatched in spring of 08, they should lay in spring of 09. Arent they such a joy?

Yeah, I read about the bucket nest online, and the calls sure do love it.

 

[austinhart123]

Quote:
that makes me want call ducks

 

[Katy]

Mine generally start in March too.

 

[TicketyBoo]

Mine started laying mid-March last year (their first year) but didn't get serious about setting until the end of April. Until then, they would lay eggs *everywhere*...it was like an easter egg hunt in the coop. They finally settled on a feed bag full of straw, they'd jump up and under the flap to get into the bag. Not ideal, but hey - if that's what they wanted, I wasn't going to argue.

This year they started laying 2 weeks ago, I've let them hoard 9 eggs so far. Even the drake takes turns setting on the nest to keep the eggs from freezing.

I knew they were going to start laying when they started to build a nest in the corner. This year they aren't nearly as modest, but I also took the chickens out of their pen so they probably feel more comfortable.

They do mate out of water BTW, all ducks do.

Call ducks are the sweetest things IMO. I always wanted some as a kid and finally got some as an adult. They just make me go "awwwwww!" every morning.

 

[DuckyBoys]

My runners are finally laying - but not the calls. My old call was laying well into June last year, only stopped because I let her go broody - but it has been very mild this winter so maybe they will start sooner. I do see signs of nests and I added a nice layer of straw to the two shelters. Those runners drop eggs everywhere though.

My gooses just started to mate - so dunno about those guys. I know the dewlaps will NOT lay this year - they act like toddlers compared to the embdens and buffs. Totally immature.

My ornamentals don't even look interested - maybe nothing this year from them.