ADVICE? I think I have too many boy ducks!

[swampfox440]

That is a problem, bad luck 1 hen 5 drakes ?

 

[Critter721]

Been here my whole life, it's a real law.
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/925.62v1

Don't have a solution for OP though that doesn't involve separating the girl or removing a few boys. In nature the boys would fight and the spares would get eaten. Ducks are R strategists and there's no room for extra boys in the wild. Not sure there's a solution that makes OP happy. Could just rehome the girl....

Wow, interesting. I don't understand why such a law is necessary. Not everyone has room for 6 chickens/ducks.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

rehome your girl, you can easily find a nice home for a female. keep the drakes as a bachelor flock! they’ll be best friends. i refuse to kill my boys too, they are super sweet and loving and love to go on trips and adventures with us

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Wow, interesting. I don't understand why such a law is necessary. Not everyone has room for 6 chickens/ducks.

Chickens and ducks are part of our national food supply and are animals that do poorly with children, small spaces, and small groups. The idea is to keep people from behaving irresponsibly with the animals - either by spreading disease because they're "pets", not taking on a commitment (after all, "it's only $2, who cares if it dies" looks a lot different when it's $12), buying animals they're not prepared to care for or rehome, buying animals that are messy and trying to keep them in apartments or small spaces, buying them just for the "baby bird" novelty especially around easter, buying them for photoshoots and then abandoning them or otherwise trying to keep them alone. I actually know people who have done many of these things. The law prevents a lot of that.

It's also a law in MANY other states. In some it's only 3, or it's seasonal. But it's really common.

 

[KaleIAm]

I understand your situation. Being vegan for about 37 years I also am very compassionate for poultry and find standard solutions unacceptable for myself. I'm not judging others. Those solutions are unacceptable for me and for my birds. My understanding is that drakes usually become someone's dinner. After you release them to someone else you no longer have any control in what happens to them. I have heard of bachelor flocks doing well, I've also heard of them squabbling. They are individuals and no one can predict how their relationships will work out.

Laying females are usually considered more valuable and easier to rehome, but I often hear of people eating them when they get older and reduce or stop laying. If you rehome her you won't get a choice. I don't have any experience putting a duck with chickens, but I imagine a duck would be happier with a duck unless the duck had imprinted on chickens.

I adopted 3 female ducks. They were overmated and hurt very badly before they were given to me 5 years ago. I have no drakes and yet one of those ducks still has to have surgery under anesthesia yearly because of the damage. I highly recommend keeping the males away from the female. They can kill her or hurt her very badly.

Personally, since I have the space and finances, I would build two aviaries and coops - not near each other. I've heard that drakes can fight more when they even see females. I don't have experience with that. I would keep the drakes in one space. I would adopt 2 adult "sisters" for the female duck, follow quarantine procedure, and keep all the females in the other space. This way all your ducks are safe for life and you are giving 2 other ducks a home. Win win!!

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

what state are you in? if you are near me i can most likely take her in (we don’t kill, all our ducks are pets only, and very spoiled)

 

[Critter721]

Chickens and ducks are part of our national food supply and are animals that do poorly with children, small spaces, and small groups. The idea is to keep people from behaving irresponsibly with the animals - either by spreading disease because they're "pets", not taking on a commitment (after all, "it's only $2, who cares if it dies" looks a lot different when it's $12), buying animals they're not prepared to care for or rehome, buying animals that are messy and trying to keep them in apartments or small spaces, buying them just for the "baby bird" novelty especially around easter, buying them for photoshoots and then abandoning them or otherwise trying to keep them alone. I actually know people who have done many of these things. The law prevents a lot of that.

It's also a law in MANY other states. In some it's only 3, or it's seasonal. But it's really common.

Okay, thanks for explaining. It makes sense, but I had no idea. I just wanted a few birds for eggs, and I'm sure there are lots of others like me.

Sorry to the OP for hijacking your thread. I hope you find a solution for your ducks.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Okay, thanks for explaining. It makes sense, but I had no idea. I just wanted a few birds for eggs, and I'm sure there are lots of others like me.

Sorry to the OP for hijacking your thread. I hope you find a solution for your ducks.

NP, it's just been on the books since before I was born. Your best bet if you want just 3-4 is to buy birds old enough to be somewhat independent. Baby birds need their family.

 

[pixielauren]

what state are you in? if you are near me i can most likely take her in (we don’t kill, all our ducks are pets only, and very spoiled)

I am in Ohio, north central area. (Closest city is Canton, Ohio.)

I am going to think on this -- I've gotten lots of good advice. Thank you for your offer!

 

[pixielauren]

I would keep the drakes in one space. I would adopt 2 adult "sisters" for the female duck, follow quarantine procedure, and keep all the females in the other space. This way all your ducks are safe for life and you are giving 2 other ducks a home. Win win!!

Thank you for your insight and your comments about veganism! Like you said -- I don't judge others in any way. I know what these birds are for (in many cases). But certain choices are off the table for me. I won't rehome the drakes -- I really adore them and, like you said, I can't control what others might do with them.

I do have the space and the money to separate her, buy her some adult sisters, etc. So that is what I will likely do.

It's been so good to hear from you and others -- your experiences have been helpful. Thank you!