Bachelors Forever?

[Kimcab67]

Hello!

Last summer I lost one of my little flock of 3 backyard chickens. I decided to get 2 ducks and read about what I needed for them. I went to the local-ish feed store that had been very helpful with my chicken purchase 4 years earlier. However, the owner was not there and the young man who helped me didn’t know as much. I felt confident that I’d done enough research to take good care of the them. Since it was an hour away, I went with the intent to buy the little guys and ended up with two one-week old ducklings sold “as is” with regard to gender.
Four months later, it’s quite clear I have two males. They seem well-bonded, but I had hoped to have eggs from them. I never had roosters with my chickens, so never even knew to question the appropriate male to female ratio of ducks. I don’t have the space nor would I be allowed to have enough females to balance the m:f ratio. I think I already know the answer, but is there anything I can do, short of giving away one of the boys which I wouldn’t do? Are Fig and Lou destined to be bachelors? If so, will they be happy this way?
Thanks for any insight you may have! ~Kim

 

[muddy75]

Due to your limited space and attachment to both your drakes, it would probably be ideal to keep them together as bachelors. Adding females at the wrong ratio could result in fighting and overbreeding.

@Miss Lydia may be able to offer additional advice

 

[Quatie]

There are multiple people on the site that have bachelor flocks that do well. Especially since they grew up together, they will likely be happy with each other since you have no females.

Even if you only had 1 Drake and 1 female that could be a bad combo depending on the drake. Having both Drakes or both females is the best outcome for small flocks like yours.

 

[fatty and friends]

a pair is usually fine no matter what gender they are. my oldest two boys live with just each other and are best friends, they also grew up together like yours did and usually never fight. just small fights in the spring if they get into the same pool, but even two girls can have fights

my other three ducks are one drake and two hens and they all do perfect together. and everyone i know who has pairs (1drake 1 hen, 2 hens, or 2 drakes) says they do great

 

[ruthhope]

I think you should keep your 2 drakes separate from your chickens as they may try and mate with the chickens. I endorse that 2 drakes can live together happily -- we now have 7 abandoned male pekins on the pond by our public library, but the female mallard who previously lived there has (wisely!) moved on