[RichardA]

When we went on holiday our five ducks (3 aylesburys and 2 campbells) were laying about 3 to 4 eggs a day between them, 10 days later we are back but nothing on the egg front. Two coincident facts - lots of moulting especially the bigger feathers and a lack of clarity in our instructions to our very inexperienced but very trustworthy duck sitter which mixed up "scoops" and "cups" of feed per day. Hence ducks whilst in a big run and beatifully cleaned out and getting lots of grass, cabbage, old cucumbers, over grown courgettes, lettuce, bread etc got about a third their usual ration of pellets and corn. No sign of any real weight loss though.
Will laying pick up they are now back on regular rations or is that it for the season ?
Any thoughts please. Should we have sent a postcard?? Should we have bought them a stick of rock each??
R

[Foxy]

Reduced rations may force a moult which will certainly slow if not stop laying. If they are moulting the big primary feathers they are in full moult.

[joyfull]

Some of mine sulk and stop laying when I go on holiday - it usually takes them a couple of weeks to get over it