Hi there! This is my first flock and this is something I really need some advice on. I have one rooster, 11 hens, a drake and a female duck. They were all raised together since day one and all bonded so well, we tried to separate the chicks from The ducks when they were young but everyone seemed to be sad so we put them back together and they all snuggled like they missed each other.
They now are at laying age, I have two hens laying and my girl duck is laying as well. Their coop is a good 200sq ft, tall.. It's an old shed converted. Their run is probably closer to 300sq ft. And with this age, now I notice my drake running after my hens. They usually can get away, but I am worried he's going to hurt them in an irreparable way (I've read how their parts are much larger than a rooster) . I love my hens to pieces and I need to do what's best. My rooster is still young and I was hoping he would put the drake in his place, which for the first time happened just a couple days ago, but is the rooster enough to keep the drake away? If I lock the drake up at night in a dog crate is this enough? If I get rid of my drake won't my duck hen be sad???? If I got another duck for her would that disrupt everyone? Could the drake kill my hens?? Will he stress them out and will this interfere with laying and egg production?
I really really appreciate all the advice I can get. I need to sort this out ASAP
Thank you!
Chelsea
They now are at laying age, I have two hens laying and my girl duck is laying as well. Their coop is a good 200sq ft, tall.. It's an old shed converted. Their run is probably closer to 300sq ft. And with this age, now I notice my drake running after my hens. They usually can get away, but I am worried he's going to hurt them in an irreparable way (I've read how their parts are much larger than a rooster) . I love my hens to pieces and I need to do what's best. My rooster is still young and I was hoping he would put the drake in his place, which for the first time happened just a couple days ago, but is the rooster enough to keep the drake away? If I lock the drake up at night in a dog crate is this enough? If I get rid of my drake won't my duck hen be sad???? If I got another duck for her would that disrupt everyone? Could the drake kill my hens?? Will he stress them out and will this interfere with laying and egg production?
I really really appreciate all the advice I can get. I need to sort this out ASAP
Thank you!
Chelsea