If ducks lay eggs so much why do you only see ducklings once a year?

[Bock_Bock]

i was just wondering as i go fishing alot at the lake around here and only see duckling once a year if ducks lay eggs like chickens do (just not in winter) why dont i see more chicks shouldnt there be an endless supply in a way?

 

[MissPrissy]

Wild ducks and domestic ducks don't have the same laying habits. Some domestic ducks have been bred for the egg laying ability.

Wild ducks have the yearly urge to brood but very few ever actually manage to hatch and make it to maturity. Lots of things in the wild world that love to eat duck eggs and baby ducklings - not to mention adult ducks too.

 

[Wifezilla]

What Miss Prissy said.

Plus, ducklings are usually only shipped during warm periods or the poor things can freeze.

 

[moduckman]

I'm sure there are a lot of reasons why. Here are three of my reasons. 1. They do not lay 12 months a year. When they start laying in early spring they may lay every day until the nest is full before setting. If you pull their eggs, they keep laying. 2. The ducks will set on eggs when they feel the can hatch them out. Since they like water and watering their eggs, late fall and winter make it too hard to keep the eggs warm enough the hatch. 3. The drakes are not as fertile in the fall and winter. 3A. They usually have one hatch a year, whether they are successful or not.

 

[Wifezilla]

4. Breeds that do lay all the time do not usually set their own eggs (like khakis and runners)

 

[Bock_Bock]

ok thanks every1 i was just curious

 

[jmc]

Domestic Muscovies canl raise more than one brood a year--some have seen even three in one season--up to about 45 young.

 

[lowcountrypoultry]

Yes that is true, Muscovies normally will atleast have two broods a year, maybe more if they start early

 

[Bock_Bock]

wow i did not know this stuff thanks so much you guys

 

[treehouse]

What abpout crested blue swedish adn snowy mallards, how often do the lay fertile eggs?