3 drakes, 1 hen...Help!

[ZiaSienna]

Hello,
I'm new to the site, and back in April I purchased four Ancona ducklings, sex unknown. I was taking a gamble. Now, much to my dismay, I have three drakes and only one hen. They are siblings. My question is, will the drakes eventually attack the hen? So far they haven't. Will they mate with her and fertilize the eggs?
I've also wondered about rehoming them. Who in the world would want just male ducks?

Lastly, we built them a great duck house with a shallow ramp. Trouble is, they won't go in at night without a lot of energy on our part. We have to try and shoo them in, which doesn't really work. We end up having to catch eat one and put it in the house. Is there an easier way?

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - glad that you have joined us. Sorry, i know squat about ducks, but these guys most certainly do! - https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks. Best to post your questions there.

Good luck
CT

 

[redsoxs]

Hello from Kansas, ZiaSienna, and ! Great to have you aboard! Ducks sure can be stubborn. I've found a hungry duck at bedtime and letting them see me put food in their pen makes them much more compliant about heading for bed. It takes time but they kind of come to understand where they belong at night. I'm sure the Ducks Forum folks will have some ideas. Best wishes!

 

[CuzChickens]

Hello there, and welcome to Backyard Chickens! Yes, three drakes to one hen will lead to a very bedraggled hen and alot of fighting amongst the drakes. You either need to get about 14 more hens or get rid of two drakes. Make sure you have plenty of water for them to mate in, or the drakes will mate with her on land and cause leg problems. Also, have you locked them up in the coop for a few days at a time? That can help them realize where home is. Though, my ducks were the same way, I herded them to the coop every night. They got so used to it that all I had to do was walk behind them and they knew where they were supposed to go. I hope some of this helps, enjoy BYC!!

 

[Amiga]

I would separate the female from the males - it's just a matter of time before they become sexually active and her life is at risk at that point.

Getting them in can be a chore initially - but I found that giving them treats in the house in the evening gets them in much more easily. We have "pea parties" from time to time, just to remind them how much fun it is to be in the night shelter.

 

[CollegeGirl3]

Welcome, welcome! Until this past April, we've always penned our ducks at night, and they do eventually figure out where to go and what to do. But honestly, I've found that the best way to corral them is a really long stick. They don't like change, and a big stick is definitely change!! Also, once they're in the cage, don't mess with them -- they kinda figure out that "Ooh, hey, the cage is safe from the crazy lady.". Good luck!!

 

[chickens really]

I used to take in Ducklings for a lady I know and sell them for her...This year 3 imprinted on me and I fell way to hard for them...Cuties...Anyways a guy I know with Calls sold me his last remaining Duckling so he was not alone...I had three Drakes and one Hen...I sold one Drake and bought a Call Hen...Then I rescues two and one was a Drake, I rehomed him also....I currently have Two Drakes and three Hens...Once spring comes I will have to take my pair of Calls out or the two drakes will fight...

To answer your question....Yes, you have too many Drakes...You might have to remove the Hen, get rid of two Drakes? Buy more Hens for the remaining Drake.....

I taught mine the word ''bedtime'', They all waddle off to the dog house and I close them in....With Ducks I have noticed...Ramps do not work..They do great with stairs...Also if you walk slowly behind them and do not rush them..They all fall into line and are easy to steer into their enclosure...


Cheers!