old age ducks

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

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!