Do I need to get rid of drake??

[MartinFamilyHomestead]

We currently have 4 drakes and 12 hens. I know we realistically should have 16 hens at the least if we have 4 drakes. We have 6 “older ducks” which are really not that old. 4 of them aren’t even a year yet. Then we have our “babies” that were September ducklings. They for the most part stay very segregated the 6 ducks we had are always together and 3 of those are drakes. Then we have only 1 drake in the 10 babies (which aren’t babies anymore) We do not separate them, they get locked up together at night and are free range during day.

Our khaki Campbell is our older drake and he does not bother our 2 blue Swedish drakes that are apart of his “clique” however he does try to breed our welsh harlequin drake a few times a day. I know it is mating season and we were prepared to get rid of a blue Swedish (by prepared I mean we knew we might HAVE to which we really do not want to). However he does not bother either of them and I truly think even if we got rid of one of our blue boys it would not make a difference. We have also thought about adding hens which we probably will to even out the numbers but we still have several hens that the boys do not pay much attention to so I am unsure if that would make a huge difference either.

Right now it is not violent, our khaki just chases our welsh around. He doesn’t have feathers pulled out, I personally haven’t seen him raped. I’m just trying to determine if this is pecking order being established especially during mating season or if this is going to become a problem.

 

[sourland]

I would monitor closely. My concern is that the other drakes may join in this practice and injure/kill the targeted drake.

 

[MartinFamilyHomestead]

I would monitor closely. My concern is that the other drakes may join in this practice and injure/kill the targeted drake.

Yes, we have been watching closely. The other drakes have not showed any signs of doing anything of the sort. If they were joining in I would take immediate action but with it being just one drake and he is our oldest I am hoping that it works itself out

 

[BelovedBirds]

We currently have 4 drakes and 12 hens. I know we realistically should have 16 hens at the least if we have 4 drakes. We have 6 “older ducks” which are really not that old. 4 of them aren’t even a year yet. Then we have our “babies” that were September ducklings. They for the most part stay very segregated the 6 ducks we had are always together and 3 of those are drakes. Then we have only 1 drake in the 10 babies (which aren’t babies anymore) We do not separate them, they get locked up together at night and are free range during day.

Our khaki Campbell is our older drake and he does not bother our 2 blue Swedish drakes that are apart of his “clique” however he does try to breed our welsh harlequin drake a few times a day. I know it is mating season and we were prepared to get rid of a blue Swedish (by prepared I mean we knew we might HAVE to which we really do not want to). However he does not bother either of them and I truly think even if we got rid of one of our blue boys it would not make a difference. We have also thought about adding hens which we probably will to even out the numbers but we still have several hens that the boys do not pay much attention to so I am unsure if that would make a huge difference either.

Right now it is not violent, our khaki just chases our welsh around. He doesn’t have feathers pulled out, I personally haven’t seen him raped. I’m just trying to determine if this is pecking order being established especially during mating season or if this is going to become a problem.

If it comes to it, you could always keep a penned bachelor flock, where you could put two drakes- if you wanted, you could even just move the Welsh into a separate pen and buy him another drake buddy for company. You don't *have* to get rid of anyone- you could of course also take a few more hens and see if that helps keep the peace.
Drakes are very hormonal this time of year, so at least keep a close eye on them and separate any bullied ducks if it gets too bad

 

[MartinFamilyHomestead]

If it comes to it, you could always keep a penned bachelor flock, where you could put two drakes- if you wanted, you could even just move the Welsh into a separate pen and buy him another drake buddy for company. You don't *have* to get rid of anyone- you could of course also take a few more hens and see if that helps keep the peace.
Drakes are very hormonal this time of year, so at least keep a close eye on them and separate any bullied ducks if it gets too bad

I am really hoping it works itself out, we also have been on look out for an hens we can add to flock. Unfortunately people never want to part with their girls though. I think separating would be too hard with our situation but we will exhaust every possible solution before parting with any of our babes.

Do you have any advise on how to get our whole flock to mingle better? I know ducks can be cliquey but I think if our other drake goes around our younger hens they would occupy his interest and pivot it away from the new “competition”.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I am really hoping it works itself out, we also have been on look out for an hens we can add to flock. Unfortunately people never want to part with their girls though. I think separating would be too hard with our situation but we will exhaust every possible solution before parting with any of our babes.

Do you have any advise on how to get our whole flock to mingle better? I know ducks can be cliquey but I think if our other drake goes around our younger hens they would occupy his interest and pivot it away from the new “competition”.

It's possible but I'm not sure. The only other things I can think of...
It sounds like they have plenty of room, do they have a pond/lake/pool?

If they have an average or small pond/pool, that can contribute to aggression between drakes. Since ducks often mate in the water, it can stir up those hormones. I've heard that drakes can do better if they have multiple pools, one for each drake if possible. But I'm not sure how or if this apply to your situation.
How are they with food? If there's any bullying between the drakes there, you might want to do separate feeding sessions with anyone who might be missing out on food.

It sounds like they have a great home with you, I hope it works out!!

 

[MartinFamilyHomestead]

It's possible but I'm not sure. The only other things I can think of...
It sounds like they have plenty of room, do they have a pond/lake/pool?

If they have an average or small pond/pool, that can contribute to aggression between drakes. Since ducks often mate in the water, it can stir up those hormones. I've heard that drakes can do better if they have multiple pools, one for each drake if possible. But I'm not sure how or if this apply to your situation.
How are they with food? If there's any bullying between the drakes there, you might want to do separate feeding sessions with anyone who might be missing out on food.

It sounds like they have a great home with you, I hope it works out!!

We have a creek outback that is dammed up in multiple places so they have these separate tiers they can be in. Near the damns it is pretty wide, looks more of a small pond than a creek. It is deep in areas too they are very happy with it and could be in totally different parts and not see each other. I’m fact our khaki had lead his clique to hang out more upstream. Not always but for a good portion of the day they are away from the main part where our younger ones stay.

As far as the feed they get plenty at night and forage during the day. Thankfully cuts back on how much we have to feed them compared to winter months. Surprisingly when they get locked up that is when there is less amount of action. Our khaki might peck at him in there but he does not bother him other than that which you would think since they are closed in would be when he would do it most.