4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[rachel2390]

Hello everyone,

 

Whilst I am getting to grips with my rat problem (thank you to everyone who has posted a reply with regard to this!) I am concerned about the fact that I have not had any eggs as yet and a few times I have noticed one of the ducks (Aylesbury) climbing on the back of the other duck and pushing its neck down into the water whilst making strange noises!!

Both ducks (which I got at 16 weeks and was reliably informed were both ducks) are now nearly 28 weeks old.

Is this normal behaviour for 2 ducks? Or for that matter 2 drakes if that is what I have ended up with!?

It is very hard to tell them apart and I am not sure if they are taking turns....

I don't want to contact the farm where I got them from yet (I would be disappointed if they had been wrongly sexed) but would like to know how long I should wait...

 

Regards,

 

Rachel

[Guest]

HI

 

Usually the male duck has a distinct Curl feather in its tail on the top. a real ringlet!

 

Your mallard?? type duck may have unfortunately hit the moult time of year ..all of our mallards have moulted now and look the same(they are wild) the only difference I can tell is the Male Mallard legs are very orange and the females more a dirty browny.

 

Anyhow it could be hormones and maturing. Usually the ducks get amourous more in the spring time. Often during mating season the females lose all the feathers on the back of their neck due to them being pinned down.

 

The only thing that I know does happen but more with wild mallards is during the mating season due to the high numbers of males trying to mount the females they can drown her! My back garden is dreadful in Spring with constant quacking and ducks all over the place being chased around by gangs of males. I do remember my Aylesbury females getting hormonal too.

 

But if you got your ducks from a reputable seller you should be ok. Give it a bit more time. I am sure if you phoned them they will be able to advise you better. I was given two goslings once that were male by a farmer and ended up taking them back as they really did fight like mad but not mating just head on fighting! In the end I took them back to him.

 

Just keep an eye on them especially as the Aylesbury is a bigger heavier bird on top of your mallard. They are quite robust birds.

 

I am sure you will be rewarded with an egg soon just give it more time..the sunshine stimulates egg production too.

 

indie

[rachel2390]

Hi Indie,

 

Thanks for your reply....sorry if my post was a bit confusing but both of the ducks are Aylesburys and I keep looking for the distinctive quiff in the tail of the drake but can't see it!! I don't know if this is because they are still too young to tell the difference.

They do appear to be mating it happened again when I refilled the pond this evening. If it is a drake and a duck how long after mating can you expect to see eggs? I was under the impression that ducks laid eggs regardless of whether there was a drake on the scene, hence why I asked for 2 ducks.... maybe I am just being impatient as I expected them to be laying eggs by now!!

 

Regards,

 

 

Rachel

[Redwing]

You are correct, eggs will be laid regardless of the presence of a drake

[Guest]

Hi Indie,

 

Thanks for your reply....sorry if my post was a bit confusing but both of the ducks are Aylesburys and I keep looking for the distinctive quiff in the tail of the drake but can't see it!! I don't know if this is because they are still too young to tell the difference.

They do appear to be mating it happened again when I refilled the pond this evening. If it is a drake and a duck how long after mating can you expect to see eggs? I was under the impression that ducks laid eggs regardless of whether there was a drake on the scene, hence why I asked for 2 ducks.... maybe I am just being impatient as I expected them to be laying eggs by now!!

 

Regards,

 

 

Rachel

 

 

oh sorry got you confused with another postee..Redwing has responded re same sex

 

and if they were male ??the quiff in tail may take a while to come through..attempts at mating is probably hopefully hormones and am sure you will get an egg soon. Let us know when you do

 

Good luck just glad they are both the same size(sorry thought it was an Aylesbury on a Mallard..squash)

indie

[ajayb]

As a 'new to ducks' owner last month (3 x Khaki Campbells), I was concerned about this behaviour too and was reassured via the forum that it's typically adolescent (I thought I had gay ducks as I knew they were definitely all female!).

 

Also, we've only begun getting eggs this week, probably about 2-3 weeks since I noticed the behaviour you mention. Ours were POL when we got them 5-6 weeks ago but I find from hens that this covers a number of weeks in age.

[rachel2390]

As a 'new to ducks' owner last month (3 x Khaki Campbells), I was concerned about this behaviour too and was reassured via the forum that it's typically adolescent (I thought I had gay ducks as I knew they were definitely all female!).

 

Also, we've only begun getting eggs this week, probably about 2-3 weeks since I noticed the behaviour you mention. Ours were POL when we got them 5-6 weeks ago but I find from hens that this covers a number of weeks in age.

 

 

Hi ajayb,

 

Have just logged on to inform everyone that today I have had 2 eggs!! Very pleased and very excited when I went out this morning and found one in the middle of the gravel (luckily the rats did not get to it first!!) and even more pleased when I came home from work tonight and found another one in the pond when I cleaned it out!!

I don't know which of them has laid the eggs and although I am reassured about your comments about your khaki campbells my ducks are participating on a daily basis now!! As soon as the pond is filled they are in and have even been attempting to mate on dry ground (unsuccessfully!) I am still not convinced that Davina is not a David!!

For everyones information both my ducks are 30 weeks old this week. It has been a long wait but well worth it. I had a very nice omelet for tea tonight!!

Thanks for your post,

 

Regards to everyone,

 

Rachel

[ajayb]

Hi Rachel,

 

Really glad you've got eggs now! We were quite excited when ours arrived and they're getting bigger by the day - have also had eggs in the pond and one rolled down the ramp when I opened the duck house this morning ... I only wish the ducks were as clean in their habits as the hens, as the duck eggs nearly always need a bit of a wash. Think I read somewhere that the longer you can keep them locked up in the morning, the better the likelihood that their eggs will be in their house and not randomly deposited around the garden.

 

My three are still indulging in inappropriate behaviour and frequently almost drown each other in the pond!

 

Anne