Appleyard ducks.....3 girls and 4 boys!

[Ness44]

So, we recently moved and inherited the ducks that live at our new home. According to the previous owner, they were a pair who then hatched 5 duckling. The issue is that most were boys. I love them all, no culling for me I'm afraid but I do have one question. They have a large run in many sections and we are looking to free range the in our backyard as it is plenty big enough. We are building a new enclosure to keep them safe at night and to escape the current rat problem in the one they are in! We have made 2 large runs, one for girls and one for boys, each with shelter, food and water. I just want to know, as it's mating season kicking off, should I separate ALL of the boys over the spring or leave one in with the girls? We're not breeding them, I just want to know what is socially best for them. Any advice is much welcome!

 

[chickens really]

Yes. I'd separate them. Personally if males are not needed I'd get rid of them all or keep one Drake.

 

[Isaac 0]

Definitely separate them, You could keep one male with them though. My females seem happier with a male around. Pictures?

 

[Miss Lydia]

So, we recently moved and inherited the ducks that live at our new home. According to the previous owner, they were a pair who then hatched 5 duckling. The issue is that most were boys. I love them all, no culling for me I'm afraid but I do have one question. They have a large run in many sections and we are looking to free range the in our backyard as it is plenty big enough. We are building a new enclosure to keep them safe at night and to escape the current rat problem in the one they are in! We have made 2 large runs, one for girls and one for boys, each with shelter, food and water. I just want to know, as it's mating season kicking off, should I separate ALL of the boys over the spring or leave one in with the girls? We're not breeding them, I just want to know what is socially best for them. Any advice is much welcome!

Welcome to BYC. I agree with @MasterOfClucker , my girls like to have their drake with them. Just be sure to get all eggs daily so you don't have more ducklings.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Definitely separate them, You could keep one male with them though. My females seem happier with a male around. Pictures?

Do you recommend alternating the drakes with the girls?

 

[Ness44]

Do you recommend alternating the drakes with the girls?

Yes Donna, that's a good point, I'd love to identify the original male but it seems impossible! Maybe alternating would be fairer or is that just disruptive? So many questions!

 

[DuckyDonna]

Yes Donna, that's a good point, I'd love to identify the original male but it seems impossible! Maybe alternating would be fairer or is that just disruptive? So many questions!

I know. I'm not sure how to deal with it. I've got 3 drakes and 8 girls. The 2 young drakes are really beginning to pick on my sweet little older one so the time is coming that I'm going to have to do something.

My younger hatch of 4 (2 girls 2 boys) stick together and I wonder if I should leave them all together at first or put just put the 2 girls together with the older 6?

Surely someone else has had to deal with a situation like this? I have more than enough room to do this so that's not a problem at all but it would be nice if everyone could be happy.

 

[CraftyHen]

Wow, how lucky to get ducks with the house. That's awesome! I'd keep a single drake for the gals and sell the others.

 

[Ness44]

Definitely separate them, You could keep one male with them though. My females seem happier with a male around. Pictures?

Thank you, yes I will snap some photos and post them asap, I just need a day when it isn't raining

I know. I'm not sure how to deal with it. I've got 3 drakes and 8 girls. The 2 young drakes are really beginning to pick on my sweet little older one so the time is coming that I'm going to have to do something.

My younger hatch of 4 (2 girls 2 boys) stick together and I wonder if I should leave them all together at first or put just put the 2 girls together with the older 6?

Surely someone else has had to deal with a situation like this? I have more than enough room to do this so that's not a problem at all but it would be nice if everyone could be happy.

It is a funny one, with chickens there would be no question, just one cock bird with no exceptions but ducks, for the most part, can live in harmony quite happily, it's just the spring....which also happens to be the nicest time for them to all be out and about exploring! Dilemmas! Given ducks are good in male/female pairs you would hope your group of 4 behave but I just don't know enough about ducks yet, they make the chickens seem almost easy

 

[Isaac 0]

Do you recommend alternating the drakes with the girls?

Good idea!

I suppose to keep each of the males happy.