Ducks laying winter eggs

[Awaytome]

I'm curious about the ducks that lay all winter. Mine never have, but my neighbor's have. We both have Runners. The only difference I've seen is that she keeps a light on all night for protection and my area is dark. During a very cold spell last winter I put a red heat lamp out for them to huddle under for several weeks, and hormonal behavior began much earlier than usual. The poultry industry utilizes artificial light to maximize laying, so I'm wondering if the winter layers here are getting light at night or is it just a quirk with individual ducks?

 

[ChickenMama1988]

I'm curious about the ducks that lay all winter. Mine never have, but my neighbor's have. We both have Runners. The only difference I've seen is that she keeps a light on all night for protection and my area is dark. During a very cold spell last winter I put a red heat lamp out for them to huddle under for several weeks, and hormonal behavior began much earlier than usual. The poultry industry utilizes artificial light to maximize laying, so I'm wondering if the winter layers here are getting light at night or is it just a quirk with individual ducks?

i don’t have ducks but i do have chickens!! i’m 2 girls that were laying before winter still lay an egg everyday and 2 of my other girls just started laying .. i don’t have any extra light for them!! but they all lay before noon

 

[fatty and friends]

my girl laid everyday for her first two years. now she hasn't laid since october. just depends on the duck

 

[Colley12]

I'm curious about the ducks that lay all winter. Mine never have, but my neighbor's have. We both have Runners. The only difference I've seen is that she keeps a light on all night for protection and my area is dark. During a very cold spell last winter I put a red heat lamp out for them to huddle under for several weeks, and hormonal behavior began much earlier than usual. The poultry industry utilizes artificial light to maximize laying, so I'm wondering if the winter layers here are getting light at night or is it just a quirk with individual ducks?

I have runners and they just started laying on the first at 5.5 months old. No light with mine.

 

[Isadora]

Supplemental lighting would be the reason here. I don't need eggs that badly so I've never wanted to mess with adding light, plus I don't think it's good for the duck's health long term.

 

[Awaytome]

I think a rest from laying is important for duck health and don't mess with the natural cycle of day length. Ducks need 14 hours of light to lay. Mine follow the rule, but apparently some don't? I find it very interesting.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Supplemental lighting would be the reason here. I don't need eggs that badly so I've never wanted to mess with adding light, plus I don't think it's good for the duck's health long term.

 

[CoriM]

I don't provide extra light and I've still had young ones lay all the way through winter. Seems like by the time they're a couple years old they stop that.

 

[Yardmom]

Young ducks are not always on a seasonal schedule, similar to chicken pullets who lay their first winter.