The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: northfifeduckling on July 18, 2009, 05:04:49 pm

Title: How many years do ducks lay regularly?
Post by: northfifeduckling on July 18, 2009, 05:04:49 pm
We've had our ducks for around a year now but I have no idea how old they are. We seem to be one or 2 eggs short each day at the moment and with me watching as carefully as I can the ducks in question don't seem to lay in the garden either (no disappearing acts lol).  :&>
Title: Re: How many years do ducks lay regularly?
Post by: harry on July 18, 2009, 05:20:59 pm
about 5 years should be good, but most ducks drop eggs anywhere so available to crows magpies, rats weasels and all sorts..... also you might find a hidden nest somewhere, not easy to find as they cover the eggs with grass...... ive been short sometimes and found a nest with 30 eggs... all no good as you dont know how old they are...... if you find a nest laying area dont remove all the eggs as they clear off and find somewhere else to lay...  leave 2 china eggs in the nest , it can be hard to get them to lay in a man made nest box like a chicken, people leave them locked up till about 9 am as they lay early morning.
Title: Re: How many years do ducks lay regularly?
Post by: northfifeduckling on July 18, 2009, 06:05:07 pm
Been there, done it all, Harry, and that every day! I can tell from the colour of the egg whose is missing and the likelyhood of me finding them, lol. Luckily we don't have magpies here. Usually the girls in question do disappear for some time but not at the moment, all nicely in one flock every time I count. Could be that one is off lay for a bit or slowing down... :&>