betty
Junior Member
Posts: 53
|
Post by betty on Jun 24, 2009 8:37:13 GMT 8
Hi to everyone.
I saw my male and female Khaki Campbell ducks mating this morning when I let them out of their coup - this is my 1st set of ducks and I have no idea whats instore for me or when she will lay or where she will lay her eggs...any help would be fantastic. I think my ducks are about 8 or 9 months old.
Cheers Betty
|
|
|
Post by fluffychook on Jun 24, 2009 8:59:54 GMT 8
If you do not provide somewhere for her to lay she will find a place for herself, which can be anything from the middle of the yard to a hidden secluded spot. I also put a fake egg in the spot I wanted mine to lay, did not always work but usually did. I had dark campbells which are the worst brooders, so they just laid and laid and one even went broody for about 1/2 a day. Someone with Khaki's will tell you how they go with brooding or you could google it.
|
|
betty
Junior Member
Posts: 53
|
Post by betty on Jun 24, 2009 9:05:22 GMT 8
Hi
ok so when will she start to lay her eggs as today was the first time I saw them mate - and how many eggs at a time do they lay...I'm now on the look out to buy a egg incubator : )
Cheers Betty
|
|
|
Post by luv4ducks on Jun 24, 2009 9:55:35 GMT 8
Hi Betty, You'll start to get eggs soon, unfortunately it's hard to tell exactly when, it could be tomorrow or it could be next month, it's a good sign that they are mating, but not necessarily a sign that you'll get eggs straight away. Just like the dark campbells, they are excellent layers but rarely go broody, and if you wanted to get prepared for eggs, I'd actually get hold of some female muscovy ducks, they are the best broodies and they will sit on just about anything, I've even heard of muscovies being used to hatch ostrich eggs, so they are very adapapting. Most ducks lay either overnight or in the early hours of the morning, very rarely after 8-9 am, and like Tina said, she will chose where she wants to lay, I've had mine dig nests in the dirt and line it with greta care and attention with feathers and leaves etc... and others who just squat and drop there egg on the bricks or the lawn and continue walking so you can never tell, they really do all have differant personalities Goodluck
|
|
|
Post by Duck Diva on Jun 24, 2009 10:17:31 GMT 8
lol Betty by the sounds of it (incubator) you've caught the bug already!!How exciting your Campbells are mating! Doesnt take long does it? My Pekins lay in the corner of their cubbyhouse in the night or early morning. Did you see the other pics of your babies? In the New Arriavals thread. Theres the same photos as I put on Facebook plus another of all of them. Im going to have a fight on my hands when it comes time to sell them, the kids are cuddling them and naming them etc. Can we keep them? etc. etc. Its really wet here today I imagine its the same down in Bridgetown. YUK! Glad Im not a duck! lol Take care and talk soon. Wendy
|
|
betty
Junior Member
Posts: 53
|
Post by betty on Jun 24, 2009 14:40:20 GMT 8
Hi will it help if I keep the ducks locked up in their coup till around 9.30 each morning to see if she lays in her coup and make sure she is in her coup at night round 5pm...do you think this would help??? I went out and bought 2 pretend eggs to place in her basket for her to get a idea of where to lay her eggs FINGERS CROSSED!!!!! Oh boy are thoes egg incubators EXSPENSIVE!!!! I might just go buy 2 female muscovy ducks to see if they can sit on the eggs when they arrive that is : ) VERY EXCITING!!!!! : )
Betty
|
|
|
Post by Duck Diva on Jun 24, 2009 14:59:44 GMT 8
Hi Betty, yes that would be perfect. They shouldnt lay after that. If you lock them up in the evenings that would be fine. It also helps keep foxes from getting them. Getting the Muscovies is a good idea. Cheers, Wendy
|
|
betty
Junior Member
Posts: 53
|
Post by betty on Jun 25, 2009 21:24:24 GMT 8
Hi I'm going to take that broody muscovy drake named Daisey...she is exactley what we req : )
Welcome little Daisey to TAJ MAHAL CHICKEN COUP SHE WILL BE SPOILT ROTTEN HERE!! : )
Betty
|
|
|
Post by fluffychook on Jun 26, 2009 8:15:35 GMT 8
What a great outcome for 'Daisy'. Don't forget to send some pictures when you get settled.
|
|
|
Post by lakelands on Jul 2, 2009 13:17:29 GMT 8
I am glad you gave her a home hope she settles in well
|
|