why isn't she laying?

[gogohorses25]

So we have 2 ducks right now, and they are just free-range. they never leave the yard, though, because their foor and pool is back there. one of them is a drake and the other is female. just got them a few weeks ago. at first, we couldn't find her eggs and just thought she wasn't laying. then we found she had made a nest under a peice of sheet metal in the leaves, and had layed around a dozen eggs there already. we happily took the eggs and put them in the fridge right away. the next day, went back to check for more eggs, but there were none. went back the next day, and the next, and the next, still no eggs. We have looked all over to see if she has made another nest, but we can't seem to find anything. Worried that since we took all her eggs she won't lay there anymore. any tips? do you think shes still laying somewhere? how can we get her to lay? please help!

 

[PerfectPlumage]

She is probably laying in some random spot like my chickens do. Maybe something's stealing the eggs. A raccoon will steal eggs, so would rats, and many other animals. My pigs steal eggs!

Hope you get eggs again soon.

 

[Orca5094]

Sounds like maybe she had finished a clutch and was planning on sitting on those eggs before you took them. At that point they stop laying so they can incubate, so it'll just take her system awhile to reboot. Maybe a couple weeks? Depends on the birds. Also, not sure where you are in the world, but many ducks are done laying for the season right now. Mine have not laid in over a month.

 

[pammy g]

HELP PLEASE. I have a black runner I thought was a girl because it quacks loud. But today in the pool it tryed to mount my magpie? Will girl ducks do that?

 

[needlessjunk]

HELP PLEASE. I have a black runner I thought was a girl because it quacks loud. But today in the pool it tryed to mount my magpie? Will girl ducks do that?

Yes, girls play hop and top all the time.

 

[gogohorses25]

She is probably laying in some random spot like my chickens do. Maybe something's stealing the eggs. A raccoon will steal eggs, so would rats, and many other animals. My pigs steal eggs!

Hope you get eggs again soon.

could be, I'll keep an eye out. We do sometimes have raccoons, and the neighbors have dogs and cats. I'll watch for anything. thanks

 

[gogohorses25]

Sounds like maybe she had finished a clutch and was planning on sitting on those eggs before you took them. At that point they stop laying so they can incubate, so it'll just take her system awhile to reboot. Maybe a couple weeks? Depends on the birds. Also, not sure where you are in the world, but many ducks are done laying for the season right now. Mine have not laid in over a month.

oh okay thank you! yes she may have just stopped laying for the season. I'll let you guys know if i find anything.

 

[MaureenD]

Yes, my girls are doing that- very hormonal, especially right before they started laying. Goofy.