Mating ducks.

DuckyGaze

Songster
7 Years
Apr 10, 2015
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I have a question that I really would like to have an answer to.

This morning I picked up 4 new female ducks. I got home at 8 am and by noon, one of the
poor ducks had no feathers left on the back of her head and neck. She was actually
bleeding all along the back of her neck. So I put her alone in a pen to get the drakes
away from her. But she is the only one they would just not leave alone. The drakes all wanted to mate with her and one after the other I guess they did.
All 3 other females are mature and 1 year old.

None of the new females were giving any signs like head bobbing.

Why did all the drakes focus only on that one poor duck?

Is there some kind of scent a female has during a time or something like that, which attracts all the males?

Thank you for any info on this.
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You only need one drake. If you must have more, light neuter them by keeping them in a totally dark space for 14 hours a day, and then rotate them for breeding.

But the humane thing? One drake for 4-6 ducks.
 
Oh I know all that. The ratio I have is 4 hens to 1 drake. I bought 4 new hens but I did have 9 already so I have 3 drakes and 13 hens but the drakes all want the same hen. They free roam since I have a pond and huge piece of land for them.

Now my hen is in a small fenced pen by herself on the grass and I do not let her out but the drakes are not bothering with the others at all. They remain close to the pen and bob their heads and compete for the hens attention.

So I am asking if anyone knows anything about this kind of behavior.
Why do all the 3 drakes only want her?
They go out of their way to stay by her pen. All my females are mature so the drakes do have other options. In the past few years it is the second time I see this kind of behavior.
 
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Oh I know all that.  The ratio I have is  4 hens to 1 drake.  I bought  4 new hens but I did have 9 already so I have 3 drakes and 13 hens but the drakes all want the same hen.  They free roam since I have a pond and huge piece of land for them.

Now my hen is in a small fenced pen by herself on the grass and I do not let her out but the drakes are not bothering with the others at all.  They remain close to the pen and bob their heads and compete for the hens attention.

So I am asking if anyone knows anything about this kind of behavior. 
Why do all the 3 drakes only want her? 
They go out of their way to stay by her pen.  All my females are mature so the drakes do have other options.  In the past few years it is the second time I see this kind of behavior.

Drakes sometimes have their favorites.
 
Unfortunately, yes, sometimes they pick a favorite... but you said you got them in the morning and just put the new ducks in with the ones you already had? No introduction time?

I'd try separating the boys and the girls completely from each other... let the girls get to know each other and hopefully after a bit of cooling off for the boys when you let them back together they might spread their attentions around a bit more...
 
Because if one Drake likes a hen?? They all will like that hen. Keep her alone from the boys.....
So many posts on Ducks...Did you research before buying Ducks?

I have had ducks for many years. This is the first time I see this kind of behavior and that is why I am asking.

No need for criticizing. If we cannot find an answer or help in this forum, what is it here for????

I just asked because this has never happened before. Had ducks and geese for 9 years then 13 years without and now this is 4th year.
 
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Unfortunately, yes, sometimes they pick a favorite... but you said you got them in the morning and just put the new ducks in with the ones you already had? No introduction time?

I'd try separating the boys and the girls completely from each other... let the girls get to know each other and hopefully after a bit of cooling off for the boys when you let them back together they might spread their attentions around a bit more...

Yes I put them out in the field with the others and the pond and wild flowers and strawberries. No, no introduction time. Has never been necessary. This has never happened and I did end up having to put just that one female apart on her own and that was not fun at all. Poor thing wanted out so badly. But it was for her own good. I just wanted to know if there was a reason the 3 drakes went for her and only her even with all the other females.
 
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Holy cow!!
How many Drakes did you put them with??
Poor girl..It is one drake for about 3 to 5 hens...I am in total shock...Get her out of there.
You have enough hens for one Drake.

Why are you so critical of what I am writing about? Twice you have posted only criticism and don't have any kind of answer.
I asked a simple question. I did not put her apart right away because this is the first time this has ever happened. Did you even
read what I wrote????
 

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