Khaki Campbells

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Khaki Campbells
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beth

Joined: 09 Dec 2004
Posts: 52
Location: Milton, Cambridge

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 05 10:11 am Post subject:
Well, well. Both our ducks are girls, despite the errrm sex. Phew! Two eggs snuggled into the straw this morning! Thanks for everyones comment's... Looks like ducks really do lay eggs! Beth

percypony

Joined: 06 Jan 2005
Posts: 146
Location: Hants

Posted: Wed Feb 02, 05 4:02 pm Post subject:
My girly duck (also campbell) stopped laying just before Christmas. She didn't last year but she had only just started laying then. Is this normal and if so when do you think she will start again? We have plenty of Chricken eggs but I do miss her eggs and she was a one a day bird without fail before!

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Wed Feb 02, 05 8:50 pm Post subject:
Our KC laid straight through their first winter and then went through the moult during the coldest time in the second. Has she moulted yet.

percypony

Joined: 06 Jan 2005
Posts: 146
Location: Hants

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 05 8:00 am Post subject:
New to poultry so please excuse my ignorance but my moult I presume you mean changing of feathers? ie some falling out and new ones growing. If that is what you mean than there are feathers all over the place (mostly little fluffy ones). This has been going for about the same time as no eggs.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 05 8:15 am Post subject:
Yup Percypony, moulting is when they lose their feathers and grow new ones . Don't know about ducks but I'm sure it's the same kind of thing - if you pick her up you'll see the hard quills which are new feathers in their casings. As far as I know, they stop laying because their body has to put a lot of energy in to producing the new quills.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 05 9:36 am Post subject:
Ducks are the same as chickens. Sounds like yours are going through the moult my friend

percypony

Joined: 06 Jan 2005
Posts: 146
Location: Hants

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 05 12:57 pm Post subject:
Any idea how long this moult should last? She must have been off regular lay since before Christmas and laid nothing for at least 4 weeks.

beth

Joined: 09 Dec 2004
Posts: 52
Location: Milton, Cambridge

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 05 7:37 pm Post subject:
A friend who has four chickens said his went on strike for about 2 months. Back into lay a couple of weeks ago. Beth

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 05 11:02 pm Post subject:
6 - 8 weeks is normal, although daylight hours can extend it too.

percypony

Joined: 06 Jan 2005
Posts: 146
Location: Hants

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 05 8:29 am Post subject:
Hummm, no cause for real concern yet then but will keep an eye on her. Another question for KC owners. (or any duck breeds for that matter!) if we bought another couple of females this year would they settle in OK with the existing male and female or could there be trouble?

beth

Joined: 09 Dec 2004
Posts: 52
Location: Milton, Cambridge

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 05 12:41 pm Post subject:
IIRC katie thear says ducks dont need to be introduced to each other. Wait till dark and put them in the house with the others and all should be fine.... But that was with ducks that dont fly or put themselves to bed! Beth

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 05 2:13 pm Post subject:
We have never had a problem introducing new ones. We have had more trouble getting them in if one has died, or gone to the kitchen, as they wait for the missing one before they will go in.

percypony

Joined: 06 Jan 2005
Posts: 146
Location: Hants

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 05 3:17 pm Post subject:
Excellent, shoudl be fine then. Ours don't actually go to bed as they have a secure run so please themselves. Will introduce new ones at dusk though.

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