Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: r2d2 on November 10, 2010, 16:46

Title: old age ducks
Post by: r2d2 on November 10, 2010, 16:46

Hi guys, just a quick question;

at what age do khaki campbell ducks stop laying eggs or will they lay until death?
Also what is the life expectancy?

cheers
Mike

Title: Re: old age ducks
Post by: orchardlady on November 10, 2010, 19:28

Hello Mike.

I've had a look in my duck book. I've only started keeping ducks this year but have kept hens for a very long time. This is what my book says:

Life Expectancy.

Ducks live a surprisingly long time when protected from accidental deaths. It is not unusual for ducks to live and reproduce for 6 to 8 years and there are reports of exceptional birds living to 15 years and longer. However, few ducks die of old age (except for those special pets!) since fertility and egg production often decreases after 3 to 5 years; hence, many owners do not consider it economical to keep ducks past this age.

Hope this helps. :)

OL

Title: Re: old age ducks
Post by: Sassy on November 11, 2010, 11:07

Thanks for that. I got Khaki Campbells this year and whilst I intend to keep them come what may at least I have some idea now how long that might be. :)

Title: Re: old age ducks
Post by: r2d2 on November 11, 2010, 15:57

thanks ol, that was the info i was after. basically i will get some young birds when the eggs stop and my old girls can have a nice retirement, I am too attached to them to consider eating them or getting rid. they are still young at the mioment but I am just thinking of the future, next spring I may try hatching some eggs.

next lot will not be given names!