We have Rouen ducks that have started to lay. Their nighttime home is an enclosed 12' x 12' cage with a concrete floor. They don't seem to mind laying them on the concrete, but we thought they should have something a little softer to lay their eggs. Does anyone have an ideas on a nesting box for them. Also, we have a very nice size pond on our 1-1/2 acres. The ducks are free to roam the property during the day, but they will not go in the pond. They would just as soon go in a small mud hole. Any suggestions on how to get them to be interested in the pond? I know they would love it once they discovered it. They even walk by it.

-- Darlene Harsany (darlene.harsany@intel.com), March 13, 2002

Answers

Feed them bread, when they know that bread its good and when they get use to it, throw bread into the pond water, then they associate water=food=good. They will go to the water without difficulties, later on. The one that is laying eggs on the floor should be a young one, she doesnt know how to nest, this will take time, if she is young those eggs are not good, wait about 6months to a year, she will brood, by herself or she should learn that from an older duck. good luck. Ralph.

-- Ralph Roces (rroces1@yahoo.com), March 13, 2002.

Is there a gradual slope so they can walk into the pond easily, or would they have to jump into it? They may be leery of hopping into a pond that has no easy way to get back out of it. You could feed them right next to the water and see if that helps. I guess you could catch one and put it in the pond, but there may be a good reason why they won't go into it by hemselves.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 13, 2002.

I just piled some loose straw on the ground for our Rouens, they laid their eggs on the straw right away. They were laying them here and there all over their pen. We've had ours for three years so far, they seem to be very hardy and healthy ducks. Their little ones grow so fast though, we don't get to enjoy how cute and sweet they are until we can't tell them from their mamma (we've only hatched females so far). We have 2 males and 6 females at present. We don't have a pond, but they sure enjoy the kiddie pool and mud puddles! :^)

-- Sharon (chessyemailaddy@notreal.com), March 13, 2002.