Consider Duck Age and Molting

Solution

Acknowledge that very young ducks haven't started laying, older ducks lay less, and all ducks stop laying during their annual molt.

Explanation

Ducks typically start laying around 5-7 months old. Production naturally declines after the first couple of years. Ducks undergo an annual molt (losing and regrowing feathers), during which they divert resources from egg-laying, typically ceasing production for several weeks.

Notes

Molting is a natural process, usually occurring in late summer or fall.