Can drakes live with chickens without harming them.

[Kizlar]

I agreed over the summer to look after two drakes while their owners were away. When they came back they refused to take them back as I suspect they were no more than just lockdown fun for their children and now want me to take them on. I love them both so much, very affectionate boys but I'm worried about the well being of my hens. The boys are still young around 5 months or so but as they grow up I'm not sure if my hens will be safe. I live in London so I cant really be buying female duck's and letting them breed because it would get out of hand for me. Could they live with the chickens without harming them or is it best to find them a new home?

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

I agreed over the summer to look after two drakes while their owners were away. When they came back they refused to take them back as I suspect they were no more than just lockdown fun for their children and now want me to take them on. I love them both so much, very affectionate boys but I'm worried about the well being of my hens. The boys are still young around 5 months or so but as they grow up I'm not sure if my hens will be safe. I live in London so I cant really be buying female duck's and letting them breed because it would get out of hand for me. Could they live with the chickens without harming them or is it best to find them a new home?

I've heard that, due to differences in anatomy, drakes can severely harm hens by breeding. I would rehome them.

@Isaac 0 is good with ducks.

 

[sourland]

Drakes have penises. Roosters do not. Drakes are very sex driven. Drakes breeding chicken hens can injure them. The decision has to be yours.

 

[Kizlar]

Thanks

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

we’re they raised with chickens? my drakes were not so when put with my pet sitters chickens for a couple months they did not attempt to mate

 

[JacinLarkwell]

If possible, you can always just pen them seperately

 

[Kizlar]

They were three months old when they came to me and its been another two or three months now. They all get along fine but I'm just worried for the future.

 

[cinnamoncockatiel]

Hi!

I thought I could have drakes and hens with my flock of chickens but they were aggressive and hurting a hen very badly. And I raised them with a chicken hen! I had to re-home a few and separate the rest. Now I have one duck hen and one drake who have their own run. I was worried the male would mate with a chicken hen. If they do it is deadly as the anatomy is different. I would re-home or separate them. Also if you have a drake and duck hens there won't be ducklings everywhere if you eat their eggs.

 

[Kizlar]

I live in London so my garden is limited unfortunately, otherwise I would happily make room for them.

 

[cinnamoncockatiel]

My drake is the same age as yours.