All male flock?

[ufmama]

We started our flock with 3 pekins. When we got them we were told they were all female, turns our they were all male. We were initially bummed to not get eggs (we are over it now) and they get along so well we decided it was't a big deal. These 3 are very sweet, not aggressive at all, and attached at the hip. We tend to have wild mallards hanging out too, but they just do their own thing.
A friend just contacted me asking if we would be interested in two more male ducks, anconas, the same age as ours (6-7 months). They are also sweet and were hand raised together.

Is it ok to add more males, is it ok to have an all male flock?

I'm not worried about the eggs anymore, I just don't know if they would fight? We have a large pond where they free range during they day but we cage them all together at night.

 

[chickens really]

Hmm? I definitely wouldn't bring in more Males. I'm thinking yours are still young too.

 

[MillersFarm]

x2 Adding more males would stress your current drakes out.. And I wouldn't add any hens if you're planning on keeping all 3 drakes. Ducks can be pretty harsh when it comes to breeding so I like to have at least 4-6 hens for every drake I have.

 

[thumper650]

I'm going through this exact same thing. I have 2 Pekin drakes (brothers as far as we know) that I got from from the pound last March. They were inseparable and got along well.

In later in the spring around May, I think, they started fighting, badly.

I separated them with a short fence, and they have separate rooms in their house. They can always see each other and I did give them outside the run time together occasionally, as long as I was with them and could break them up.

In mid August, the hormones calmed down, and we were back to best buds again! They sleep in the same room of their house.

I am acquiring 2 more drakes tomorrow. So their separate pens will be good for look no touch for a few days. I don't know if ducks are more hormonal in their first year, or this will continue every year for the rest of their lives. Either way, I am prepared to separate everyone during breeding season if their safety requires it.
Don't think their behavior won't change is my greatest take away. I was so crushed when they were fighting, but was so happy when it became temporary.
I hope my first hand experience will help you make the right decision for you.

 

[chickens really]

I'm going through this exact same thing. I have 2 Pekin drakes (brothers as far as we know) that I got from from the pound last March. They were inseparable and got along well.

In later in the spring around May, I think, they started fighting, badly.

I separated them with a short fence, and they have separate rooms in their house. They can always see each other and I did give them outside the run time together occasionally, as long as I was with them and could break them up.

In mid August, the hormones calmed down, and we were back to best buds again! They sleep in the same room of their house.

I am acquiring 2 more drakes tomorrow. So their separate pens will be good for look no touch for a few days. I don't know if ducks are more hormonal in their first year, or this will continue every year for the rest of their lives. Either way, I am prepared to separate everyone during breeding season if their safety requires it.
Don't think their behavior won't change is my greatest take away. I was so crushed when they were fighting, but was so happy when it became temporary.
I hope my first hand experience will help you make the right decision for you.

If fighting is happening it will definitely not stop during breeding season it will be horrid fights..

 

[thumper650]

If fighting is happening it will definitely not stop during breeding season it will be horrid fights..

Just for clarification, the fighting happened only durning breeding season. They are fine together before and after. The only time there's any conflict is over the pool (of course). Roscoe uses the pool first, and Scooter gets to use it afterwards, although lately even that's gone away and they bathe together sometimes.

 

[Col1948]

Forgive my ignorance here but if you have ducks in the garden, would other ducks be attracted to them and land?

 

[chickens really]

Just for clarification, the fighting happened only durning breeding season. They are fine together before and after. The only time there's any conflict is over the pool (of course). Roscoe uses the pool first, and Scooter gets to use it afterwards, although lately even that's gone away and they bathe together sometimes.

Once hormones are high and if Hens are on the property they will fight to get to them..

 

[chickens really]

Forgive my ignorance here but if you have ducks in the garden, would other ducks be attracted to them and land?

Yes...I have wild Mallard that come each spring to get my Call Hens...

 

[MillersFarm]

Forgive my ignorance here but if you have ducks in the garden, would other ducks be attracted to them and land?

Yes and no, It doesn't happen often but i've once had a wild mallard drake fly into my yard and try to flirt with my call ducks..