Why Are Ducks Not Laying?

[kingmt]

These ducks are Millards that were hatched last spring. They started laying last summer untill they started going to far from the house & I put them in a pen. Once I put them in a pen I only got 2 more eggs & so far this spring I have only gotten 1 egg.

 

[Amiga]

So many things affect laying!

stress
diet
disease

Can you tell us more about what they eat, what else has changed in their environment?

 

[kingmt]

They eat the same thing I feed my chickens only with some water added to it. I feed them layin pellets & corn. They won't hardly touch the feed unless it is wet.

 

[dieselgrl48]

Ducks are crazy I think when laying egg's.I used to free range mine I had some hens that would lay in certain area's like behind feed cans etc. My ducks were raised to have free range and have a sleep area in old horse stall.We converted a large old stable feed box and put on side and several of of free range ducks put eggs in there along with a few bantam hens then the geese left some too.I think a few of the duck hens however like the secluded more private areas in corners way from everyone else.Try puttin in some xtra bedding in corners or making up not so obvious areas of shelter they might find intersting to go under to lay eggs away from the drakes or anything else.Put in a board leaned against wall etc.Mallards tend to like a bit more seclusion I have found.My newbie's will be trained to free range again this year and try to keep sleep area comy and a few old things for the hens whn they start laying.You can try empty old 5 gallon buckets on side with a little hay depend's on the duck.Ducks are just messy with food they like kibble and dibble thats nature for them.Hubby just had to put new bedding today for ours and take out 6 bigs ones to next pen.They will lay more eggs just see what ya can work with space for a lil Privacy since they penned.

 

[Natermotor]

My ducks won't lay for a while after a move to somewhere else. It usually takes them about a month to start laying again.

 

[Amiga]

How many pellets to corn? fifity fifity?

 

[Mom2Munchkins]

My ducks aren't regular either... I have 4 hens, and get between 2 and 4 eggs daily. Usually 2 though. I did just get them a couple weeks ago though, so they're still getting used to us. They're 1 year old next month. I feed them 16% crumbles. As well as veggies, pasta, eggs, leftovers... They are kept in a run, and lay their eggs in the mud, or wherever.

 

[Friend2Fowl]

Do they have any place to hide their eggs? They do like to cover them. Maybe they are burying the nest, or not laying because they have no place to hide them? Just a thought

 

[kingmt]

Quote:
It was 1 pellets to 2 corn but I changed it last night to 6 pellets to 1 corn. They didn't seem to care for the change. They tore into it then stopped & quacked up a storm to me. It didn't sound like thank you ether.

 

[kingmt]

Quote:
I didn't know they had a choice in there body function. I may try a nesting box for them.