2 drakes, 1 duck-- do I have a problem?

[sBrickmanHouse]

Hi all,

Back at the beginning of May, we bought on impulse three Pekin ducklings from Tractor Supply.

Even though we didn't plan the purchase, we committed to being good duck stewards, did a lot of research on this board, and built them a great little house and pond right by our hobby orchard. They're now big, happy healthy ducks, trolling the orchard for bugs and splashing in their pond-- we think they're terrific!

Problem is, in the last few weeks, two have developed very definite curly drake feathers. I can't remember the exact posts, but I remember reading that two drakes/1 duck combinations create a big problem, because the drakes will fight over her and be rough with her.

My question is, what should I do now? They show no signs of problems yet, but how long can I expect that to last? I had planned on getting more sexed pullet ducklings in the early spring-- will they be okay till then?

If not, what's my best bet for adding some pullet ducks? Try to find some grown females? See what hatcherys may have left for female ducklings?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!

 

[Dodgegal79]

Yes they will over breed her and could really hurt her. Best to get two other girls, if you can, or get rid of a boy. I had 2 drakes and they never really fought, but they would chase each other as they were chasing the girls and "share".

 

[Goat_Walker]

I have two drakes and one duck, one is a mallard, the other a domestic bibbed mallard, my female is a buff. All are rescues. The only problem i have had is the old guy gets grumpy everynow and then and picks on the younger female and drake.

As far as breeding goes, ive had a little trouble with my old male trying to mount my young male while my young male is mounting my female. But i havent had any fights or pushing and shoving. Id say watch out for their behavior, but they may be ok.

 

[LV426]

I've 3 drakes and one hen and the hen is definitely in charge. As long as they are raised together you probably won't have a problem. One of your males may assert dominance over the other and the one that becomes submissive may lose his curly feather. Your duck hen will be fine as long as she's the same size as the boys. The term henpecked really does apply to duck boys. My girl calls her boys and they coming running double time.

 

[mapratt]

I did have a problem. I have a duck and a drake, and incubated some eggs. Ended up with one live duckling, which I raised 'til feathered out then tried to introduce back into my little flock. The drake drowned the new flock member. I tried socializing them first for a day in separate enclosures, then put them together and stayed with them for a while. All seemed calmed down, I walked away for an hour to attend a meeting. Checked at the end of the hour, and the new duck (not sure yet whether duck or drake) was drowned.

Since you have started with all three at the same age, this is not likely to happen. But the advice I saw on another forum to just let the pecking order be established did not work in my case.

 

[AngieChick]

It depends on the drakes. I would watch them carefully and see if you have a problem brewing. Know in your heart that you may have to take some steps, such as getting more ducks and getting rid of a drake.

 

[Denninmi]

I ended up with 3 drake Rouens and one hen last year, the opposite of the ratio I wanted. I haven't noticed any problems other than the fact I really wanted them first and foremost for eggs, and obviously I don't get the quantity of duck eggs I really wanted. If I need a dozen for a cake, I have to save some in batches in the freezer until I get enough.

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

I love your duck house.....

 

[sourland]

Multiple drakes breeding a duck in a pond can drown her. It might be advisable considering your gorgeous set-up and pond to rehome one drake and get more ducks.

 

[Violet22]

I guess everyone has different experiences with their ducks............mine is, I have 8 females and 2 drakes. NOT enough females! Maybe my drakes have too much testosterone, but I feel so bad for all my girls. The drakes never stop harassing them....it's constant one after the other. I wonder if Viagra comes from ducks???