Drake after my 4 week old ducklings

[Magnolia Ducks]

Oh wow I had no idea that they would try and mate at such a young age and I have no idea how I will keep them separated for that long. But I will do my best! I may need to rehome my drakes!

It was pretty gruesome and he kept mating her dead body. I knew that could happen but thought she was big enough and he had three hens. I was wrong.

 

[Justjack5]

It was pretty gruesome and he kept mating her dead body. I knew that could happen but thought she was big enough and he had three hens. I was wrong.

Thank you for letting me know! I am going to keep the 6 duckling females separate from the drakes until they are 4 months old!

 

[chickens really]

Totally depends on the season and if a Drake is in eclipse.
Keeping the young separate is best because the Drake will injure young hens reproductive organs and will beat any young Drakes too.

 

[Beaglegal]

Drakes can be very sexually aggressive. I have one Scovie x (buff orp) who if given the choice goes for my call duck females.

While i won't say i haven't successfully had drakes and ducklings together, it was done in a huge flock while free ranging. I also had a real lovely daddy call this summer he stayed with her and the kids straight through.. actually they are all still together.

However, it is a fact. Drakes can kill/injure young.end of.

I had this situation, the dad duck had his 2 ladies with ducklings and he was very protective and good with them. However now that they are fully grown and of laying age.... they all get into the pond together to frolic.... if you know what I mean....

 

[Beaglegal]

It was pretty gruesome and he kept mating her dead body. I knew that could happen but thought she was big enough and he had three hens. I was wrong.

That would be very disturbing... sorry that happened.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Thanks, it was pretty awful. I didn't know they were necrophiliacs.

 

[johntfs]

Thanks, it was pretty awful. I didn't know they were necrophiliacs.

They aren't, but if something looks "effable" to them, they'll "eff" it, living or dead.

Like with the OP, drakes are very much "if there's grass on the field, we're ready to play." It's why you need to have maybe a 7-10 to 1 ratio of females to males. Too many males will mate/rape the females to death.

 

[Jpat]

you need to have maybe a 7-10 to 1 ratio of females to males. Too many males will mate/rape the females to death.

You know this from experience?

 

[Miss Lydia]

You know this from experience?

Reading here on BYC and learning!

 

[Beaglegal]

They aren't, but if something looks "effable" to them, they'll "eff" it, living or dead.

Like with the OP, drakes are very much "if there's grass on the field, we're ready to play." It's why you need to have maybe a 7-10 to 1 ratio of females to males. Too many males will mate/rape the females to death.

I think the ratio depends on the drake. Mine originally had 2 females and 1 male, and he was fine. Now he has 6 and is not any different from when he had 2. But he is also very mellow in general