Do I need to rehome my drake?

[kiwibird143]

I have 3 female ducks, 3 hens, and 1 duck drake. Unfortunately, the drake is in his first mature spring, and harasses all of the girls– including the chickens. It has been quite stressful for me, and all of the females, in attempt to defend them from his advances.

I will be moving soon and will set up a new coop for them. Currently, they all free range, but at the next property will have to be contained to a pen. I'm concerned that the stress may increase in that more limited environment for them.

I'm considering setting up a "drake den" in the new coop set up to limit direct contact between the male and the females. Or, separating the ducks from the chickens so that the hens aren't being harassed by him (which is my biggest concern). I have yet to map out how that set up would logistically look, so any ideas on how to separate a drake are appreciated.

It also makes me wonder: do I just need to rehome him? It feels conflicting to me because he's the only bird left from the ones that I raised from hatchlings. I'm emotionally attached (even having his picture on a mug). That's not my ideal, but I'm at a point where I wonder if it's my only real choice to ensure my birds are happy, healthy and well.

Any thoughts, perspectives and reflections are greatly appreciated <3

 

[Isadora]

Is keeping him robbing you of the joy your birds bring?
Mating issues will certainly intensify if they're confined to a run. He needs to be separated from the chickens at the very least, and it sounds as though three of his own kind aren't enough.
I would lean towards rehoming.
Sorry you're dealing with this. Horny drakes can be so frustrating

 

[Battlepants]

At the very least, I would separate the chickens from drake. Reproducively speaking, chickens and ducks are built very differently and a mating attempt from drake to chicken could very well be lethal to the chicken.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I have very excited drakes myself
Currently my boys are being grounded to their own pen so the girls can have some break time
I use chicken wire as my fence between that way they can all
See each other but can’t touch
At night I also have my pen in 4 stations
My girls in one
My younger drakes together
My older drake on his own and my 6 week old Swedish in their own
I use pet pen to section of off
They lay beside the fencing so they can be close together

 

[Miss Lydia]

If your attached to your drake then make him a separate area many on here do this. He will be able to see his girls but won't be able to abuse them. You could even give him some time with them daily with your supervision. Now the chickens need to be kept away from him. As was already mentioned drakes mating chickens is usually a death sentence,