Ducks laying in pond

[Nelly]

We were beginning to think we had acquired 5 male ducks as we'd not seen a single egg since our ladies arrived last July. However, with all the recent rain our pond cleared beautifully and revealed....at least 2 dozen eggs on the bottom! Ooops. So, a couple of questions (and I'm hoping that ducks are allowed on chook-related forum): can I eat eggs from the pond if I know they've been laid that morning? How on earth do I get the ducks to lay in their hut? In fact, before I ask that question, I should be asking: how on earth do we get the ducks to go into their hut at night? For a short period they went in all by themselves but now they prefer to stay on their pond. It's a small pond but big enough that we can't herd them off it. Any suggestions? Oh, and what can I do with 2 dozen inedible duck eggs? Compost okay? It's rather painful getting rid of so many beautiful looking eggs...

[bearded bloke]

Where is the hut in relation to the pond ?

[bearded bloke]

Gather the eggs & try this .... https://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/ducks/eggs/freshness/

Seems duck eggs are quite porous .... https://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/ducks/eggs/how/ ... so possibly not a good plan to eat them as no doubt there will also be faeces in the bottom of the pond

[Nelly]

The pond is (currently) just a few feet from the hut, maybe 3 ft or so. With all the extra rain it's a little higher than normal! The eggs from this morning were all on the bottom of the pond at one side, except one egg that had been laid on the rocky edge, furthest from the hut. I've put some of the eggs (marked) into the hut just in case that entices them. I don't fancy eating the pond eggs but it seems such a waste :-( and we got the ducks especially for their eggs. None of the pond eggs were floating but the pond water's a little murky for something otherwise edible. We reckon they've only started laying fairly recently (5 eggs a day, only 2 dozen in the pond) so maybe there's hope yet for dryer nesting sites. Preferably ones we can find...

[Snadger]

I'm no authority on ducks but I would have thought locking them in the hut for a couple of days would give you some dry edible eggs and may even get them used to laying indoors?

[Scarlet]

I would say same as Snadger, they need to be locked in for a few days and possibly a few china eggs in the nest box wouldn't hurt either.

[BigJim]

My ducks are locked in every night at sunset, and let out around 8am in summer, 9am in winter, and I end up with most eggs laid in the hut. Luckily ducks are very easy to herd, so just herd them in for a few nights and they'll either learn to go themselves or at least learn where to go when they see you coming to put them to bed.

I also have a problem with otters, so locking them in is also for their own safety - not sure what predators you have down there but might be worth thinking about. And you can feed cooked eggs to the ducks if you don't want to waste them.

[mothhawk]

Most ducks will lay before 8am-ish so try to keep them shut in till after then, always leave a pot egg (or a golf ball will do - not bright, ducks) where you want them to lay, and they should start to get the idea after a few days. I've not kept many ducks, but runners seemed to be particularly careless about where they laid eggs. Give me guinea fowl any day!

[kathyd]

But if you can't herd the ducks because the pond's too big to get at them, as in Nelly's case? Sorry for butting in, but I'm hoping to get some ducks at some point soon and have never heard about this problem before! If they get onto our 'wildlife' pond I'll never be able to reach them to herd them anywhere... Is there a trick that can be tried?

[Nicos]

Just had a bizarre idea!

If all else fails to herd them into the shed, how about getting hold of one of those duck whistles and when you are near them blow it and throw something yummy for them to eat.
Each time you whistle they will then ( hopefully) associate the whistle with food, and then you can entice them with food thrown into the hut?
(It may take a few days)

...just one of my obscure thoughts for today!

But ya never know....if all else fails.......

[BigJim]

The ducks can probably be startled into leaving the pond (sounds more like a loch), perhaps by just taking a step into it in your wellies. They'll get the idea soon enough and leave when they see you approach. Treats would probably work (throwing a snail or tomato for mine) but you may get into a pattern where they expect a treat before bed.

Otherwise you'll have to stand next to the hut and quack...vary the tone and eventually you'll send out the right message. There is no need to flap your wings unless you want to.

[ancee]

Nicos that is so funny hahaha! Do you watch Duck Dynasty at all? Brilliant programme

[mothhawk]

But if you can't herd the ducks because the pond's too big to get at them, as in Nelly's case? Sorry for butting in, but I'm hoping to get some ducks at some point soon and have never heard about this problem before! If they get onto our 'wildlife' pond I'll never be able to reach them to herd them anywhere... Is there a trick that can be tried?

yes, it's called four border collies