A male duck trying to mate with another male?

[tsahara]

Happy Easter!
Question: We got two young pekin ducks last summer and didn't know what sex they were. Now that it's spring, one is all over the other, trying to mate. But every other indication we've had is that they are both males -- both have curled tail feathers, both make similar squawking sounds. Is it possible that one of our ducks is confused and mistaking the other for a female? Do male ducks ever try to mate with another male if there are no other options around? Or is this a SURE sign that we've got a female? I feel so bad for the one who is being dominated -- he (she?) is torn to shreds and can't get a moment's rest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Happy Easter!
Question: We got two young pekin ducks last summer and didn't know what sex they were. Now that it's spring, one is all over the other, trying to mate. But every other indication we've had is that they are both males -- both have curled tail feathers, both make similar squawking sounds. Is it possible that one of our ducks is confused and mistaking the other for a female? Do male ducks ever try to mate with another male if there are no other options around? Or is this a SURE sign that we've got a female? I feel so bad for the one who is being dominated -- he (she?) is torn to shreds and can't get a moment's rest.

Males will try to mate and will actually mate with other males. I'm sure it's distressing to your other drake the one who's getting the attention and to you. is there any way to bring some females into their lives? They will each need at least 2-4, 1 will get too much attention just like your seeing now and worse could be drowned by the 2 drakes.

Welcome to BYC.

 

[LoveThemBirds]

Their reaching sexually matured age.Their not mating (i don't think,)but are likely chasing eachother and showing domiannce,and fighting.

 

[tsahara]

Thanks so much for the info! Sounds like we need some ladies in these guys' lives. I was hoping that we had lucked out with a male and female when we got them, but I guess not.

 

[vyper]

If they both have curled drake feathers and quack , yeh there male ! My females sound more like geese !

 

[needlessjunk]

Thanks so much for the info! Sounds like we need some ladies in these guys' lives. I was hoping that we had lucked out with a male and female when we got them, but I guess not.

They don't "need" females. Just remember 1:1 ratio of females to males usually doesn't work out very well for the girls. So plan accordingly. I had to male Pekins and they were best buddies and we're happy being the only ducks around.

 

[tsahara]

True, "need" might be the wrong word, but it might be a good idea to bring some females into the mix. The one male duck that's being dominated just seems miserable. His neck is being torn to shreds and he spends the whole day running from the other one or fighting -- that is, when he's not being pinned to the ground and mounted by his friend. He won't even go near any food if our other duck is around. And that's really what's worrying me the most: It's never been like him to avoid eating and he just seems like he wasting away and becoming a nervous wreck. He doesn't seem happy at all.

 

[needlessjunk]

True, "need" might be the wrong word, but it might be a good idea to bring some females into the mix. The one male duck that's being dominated just seems miserable. His neck is being torn to shreds and he spends the whole day running from the other one or fighting -- that is, when he's not being pinned to the ground and mounted by his friend. He won't even go near any food if our other duck is around. And that's really what's worrying me the most: It's never been like him to avoid eating and he just seems like he wasting away and becoming a nervous wreck. He doesn't seem happy at all.

Oh yeah, that puts a different spin on things. Poor guy. Any chance you can separate them for a while but they can still see each other? If he is already that aggressive then you will need quite a few females. Or maybe try putting out a few food and water bowls. If he is getting beat up and his neck is looking raw then they really need some separate time so he can heal up. Poor thing!

 

[preciouspanda]

I have a mallard drake and Rouen drake and 2 others that are females as well as runner ducks and my mallards is always chasing a runner and he is also trying to mate with my Rouen drake is there any way to stop his behavior

 

[chickens really]

I have a mallard drake and Rouen drake and 2 others that are females as well as runner ducks and my mallards is always chasing a runner and he is also trying to mate with my Rouen drake is there any way to stop his behavior

Separate pens. You have too many Drakes.