2 drakes...

[mightymom42]

Any help would be appreciated. I had an existing trio one boy, 2 girls from last Spring. I recently received a phone call for a duckling that they thought the leg was broken. I took that 1 duckling plus another. To keep it company, they are grown and i moved them with the other trio. But my existing Drake will have none of it.
The 2 I rescued turned out to be one male, 1 female. The female has integrated to the flock just fine but the existing drake will not leave the new drake alone I put him in drake jail for. 1 week while the younger drake healed. Older drake was nicer but still is separating it from the rest and chasing/ grabbing neck. .please advise.
For reference ..2 white are new other pictire is existing trio

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

Any help would be appreciated. I had an existing trio one boy, 2 girls from last Spring. I recently received a phone call for a duckling that they thought the leg was broken. I took that 1 duckling plus another.

You forget to mention the most important detail here : how old, EXACTLY, are your ducklings and your older ducks?

To keep it company, they are grown and i moved them with the other trio.

...Have you put them together as soon as you have got the ducklings, or have you first separated them...?
(If so, how long?)


Your would do good by keeping your ducklings separated from your older ducks for 1 month at least...

⚠ IN FACT ⚠ :
Depending on their age difference, you could even actually have to keep them separated until your ducklings are 4,5-months-old AT LEAST!!

► DURING this time (of separation) : your adult ducks and your ducklings have to be able to see each others, but NOT touch each others...!

► AFTER this time (of separation) : the best thing to do would be to let them freerange together during the days, but still keep them separated at night for 1 to 2 weeks.

► And THEN : you should be able to let them in the same shelter during the nights...

 

[ruthhope]

Any help would be appreciated. I had an existing trio one boy, 2 girls from last Spring. I recently received a phone call for a duckling that they thought the leg was broken. I took that 1 duckling plus another. To keep it company, they are grown and i moved them with the other trio. But my existing Drake will have none of it.
The 2 I rescued turned out to be one male, 1 female. The female has integrated to the flock just fine but the existing drake will not leave the new drake alone I put him in drake jail for. 1 week while the younger drake healed. Older drake was nicer but still is separating it from the rest and chasing/ grabbing neck. .please advise.
For reference ..2 white are new other pictire is existing trio

Your drake will not accept a new drake when you have so few hens. You have to separate the drakes

1. Rehome one

2. Keep the new pair separate from your existing ducks (separate run and sleeping arrangements)

3. Have separate drake and female flocks-- separate runs and sleeping arrangements.

Let us know what you decide

 

[mightymom42]

Thank you for all your input. The older ones are from spring 2024. The 2 new ones are approximately 3 months old. I hate the idea of rehoming only because my animals are like family to me. I suppose if the second time out does not work I can keep them in a separate run. I dont have the ability to freerange. My priority is safety and happiness of course so I will do what is best for them.

 

[Papaye]

The older ones are from spring 2024. The 2 new ones are approximately 3 months old.

Which explains why your drake is so aggressive : you put him together with a drakelet he can only see as a rival, even though he is running on a libido still (too) high from mating season...

You are extremely lucky your boy has not killed your drakelet... or even your ducklet : indeed, he could have raped her to death because her body is currently not able to handle mating, and could thus have suffered from too severe internal injuries (leading then to her death)...

►...If you want to put your adult ducks and your ducklings together, you HAVE to wait for your ducklings to be physically ready for mating.
(Not knowing the exact age of your ducklings, I would recommend to wait for 2 months at least.)

I hate the idea of rehoming only because my animals are like family to me.

3 females for 2 males is not a good ratio, but it can work : it entirely depends on your ducks.

(If you keep both of your drakes, you need to watch over them carefully - ESPECIALLY during mating seasons.)

I dont have the ability to freerange.

What do you mean by that?

...Do you keep your ducks enclosed 24/7?
If so, how big is their run?
(Would you mind posting a picture? So we could see if the size of the run is one of the reasons your drake is so mean with your drakelet...)