Having a duck as a pet is a good experience because it will also be beneficial for you. Ducks are easy to take care of. Additionally, they don’t have a lot of diseases to worry about, making you visit the veteran every time. Therefore, when they lay eggs, it becomes easy for you to take care of them. The following are some of the tips to consider when your pet duck lays eggs.
Learn how to take care of a duck that just laid eggs and the eggs themselves.
How to Know A Duck Is About To Lay Eggs
Your pet may be laying eggs, and you don’t realize it. So how do you become aware that it’s about to lay eggs? First of all, ducks lay eggs in places that are hard to find. Sometimes they may hide in hay stuck, and you may never know. Therefore, when you notice that it’s getting out of sight, follow it to where it goes. You will be surprised to find the weirdest places. Take a close observation to find out.
Moreover, you can check its pelvic bones. Hold the duck and feel its pelvic bones. When the duck is laying eggs, the pelvic bones will spread and become flexible. If there were an egg on its way, it would probably hatch it at that time.
A freshly laid egg is soft and warm. When you are touching it, you will probably penetrate three to four fingers, depending on the size of the duck. However, if it’s not laying, only two or one finger will penetrate between the bones. If the fingers penetrate it, you are sure the duck is not laying eggs, then you should seek medical advice from a professional.
When Does It Start Laying Eggs?
The timing is what matters the most. Most female ducks are sexually ready and may begin the production stage at around six months. However, others may go up to 7 months. Also, the seasons contribute a lot during this stage.
Suppose the duck matures during the winter season, she will take a longer time and may begin hatching in spring. However, you can make it faster by providing light for it. Get a good lighting system for ducks to hatch and put it close to where it stays the most. Make sure it has access to light for about fifteen to seventeen hours a day.
Prepare the Laying Area
In most cases, the duck will lay eggs in the wee hours of the morning. Therefore, take a closer look and follow it so you can discover its hatching area. If the place is not good enough, prepare a better place for it. The duck is your pet and so make sure it has a good experience when laying its eggs. Ensure the place is secure so that other animals like dogs don’t have access to eat it.
Additionally, the hatching area should not be wet because the eggs may end up rotting. Therefore, get a basket and fill it will cotton and other hatching materials. Also, the duck will need water and food when it goes for a break. Therefore, always ensure its feeding tins are close to the basket.
In Conclusion
The above tips will guide you in knowing whether or not the duck is laying eggs. If it’s hatching, ensure you get a good place for it. You then should also learn how to care for ducklings.
