At what age do Khaki Campbell drakes mature?

[keesmom]

We've had chickens for years, and this spring we decided to try some ducks. We got 4 straight run Khaki Campbells from a local feed store. They are 7 weeks old now. As luck would have it 3 of them are drakes.

I did order sexed assorted ducklings from Metzer , and they arrived last week. Obviously they are too young to go in with the lone female just yet. So how long can I safely leave her in with the 3 drakes? I have a home for the males lined up, but I'd rather keep them as long as possible as company for the female.

Also, as it was warm yesterday I put out the week olds out in an ex-pen so they could happily make as big a mess as they wanted. The 7 week old Campbells did NOT like them at all. Especially the female. Is that normal for ducks? The ex-pen is surrounded on all sides with chicken wire so the older ducklings cannot reach them, so they are safe.

 

[Carcajou]

By 15+ weeks you should have your drakes down to 1 per 3-4 ducks. A pair will also work - I kept a pair of Khaki's for a while and they were fine together.

It is normal for older ducks to dislike any young newcomers. You will need to keep them separated until the young ones are well feathered and nearly fully grown. When your little ones are 2 or 3 weeks old than can be put where the older ducks can walk up to their fence and act intimidating but don't let them in the same enclosure as the large ducks will try and kill the little ones. It is a little comical to watch them try and spar through the fence.

Here is a photo of my drake trying to harass my bunch of 15 day olds last June. He would endlessly walk around the fence trying to get at them. Good luck with yours.

 

[keesmom]

Thank you for your help! It sounds like there is time for the babies to fully feather in before we need to let most or all of the males go.

I will make sure the younger ducklings are well protected from the older ones until they can fend for themselves. We got black Swedish, Rouen and buff ducklings in our assortment. I'm looking forward to seeing how they mature.

 

[Carcajou]

You will enjoy them immensely! Post photos when you can.