Aggressive drake

[Aleenabeena]

In my flock I have 8 females, and 2 drakes. 2/8 of my females are 4 years old along with my drakes. They were my original flock, and I had more females, but they unfortunately passed away(got eaten). We moved, and bow have an acre for them, but of course it came with predators. I added 6 female ducklings, they are about 2 months and I want to introduce them all, but I have 1 drake who is such an a**. He hurt one of my ducklings... Has anyone heard that separating the male from the flock for a few days could correct his behavior. Has anyone had experience with successfully integrating flocks?

Thank you!

 

[chickengr]

I never integrate young females. drakes want to mate and hurt them.

 

[Aleenabeena]

I never integrate young females. drakes want to mate and hurt them.

How long do you recommend waiting?

 

[chickengr]

till they are about 5-6 mo.

 

[Aleenabeena]

till they are about 5-6 mo.

Thank you! Omg everywhere has said after 2 months, or after they are fully feathered. I'm so thankful I found this forum. That seems reasonable.

 

[chickengr]

Thank you! Omg everywhere has said after 2 months, or after they are fully feathered. I'm so thankful I found this forum. That seems reasonable.

some people do it sooner but I prefer to be safe than sorry. maybe in winter/early spring drakes are less horny but now they would mate anything. I have muscovy and indian runner ducks. they behave the same.

 

[Aleenabeena]

some people do it sooner but I prefer to be safe than sorry. maybe in winter/early spring drakes are less horny but now they would mate anything. I have muscovy and indian runner ducks. they behave the same.

They really are! Thank you for the advice I'd rather be safe than sorry too.

 

[ruthhope]

Thank you! Omg everywhere has said after 2 months, or after they are fully feathered. I'm so thankful I found this forum. That seems reasonable.

You can integrate ducklings with female adult ducks at 8 weeks old. You can also integrate male ducklings with drakes at 8 weeks old: i have an all drake flock and introduced 2 new rescued drakes at 8 weeks.

But I would never integrate ducklings into an adult flock that included a drake before 16 weeks.

First you have to be sure the ducklings are all female. An adult drake with adult females in his flock will kill male ducklings. The drake will know the sex of ducklings before you do. Even if the ducklings were vent sexed, the vent sexing isnt perfect and can miss a drake. Second, female ducklings should be 16 weeks before being exposed to a drake. All drakes are sex mad and will start mounting new females as soon as they are introduced to him.

Please keep your ducklings in a fenced off pen until they are 16 weeks. They can be see but no touch with your adult ducks.

 

[chickengr]

You can integrate ducklings with female adult ducks at 8 weeks old. You can also integrate male ducklings with drakes at 8 weeks old: i have an all drake flock and introduced 2 new rescued drakes at 8 weeks.

But I would never integrate ducklings into an adult flock that included a drake before 16 weeks.

First you have to be sure the ducklings are all female. An adult drake with adult females in his flock will kill male ducklings. The drake will know the sex of ducklings before you do. Even if the ducklings were vent sexed, the vent sexing isnt perfect and can miss a drake. Second, female ducklings should be 16 weeks before being exposed to a drake. All drakes are sex mad and will start mounting new females as soon as they are introduced to him.

Please keep your ducklings in a fenced off pen until they are 16 weeks. They can be see but no touch with your adult ducks.

live and learn. thank you for the information.