Drake Issue!!

[DukesDucks]

I have to separate my drakes into 2 coops each with its own run during mating season. Each drake has 4 females. The groups get separate free range time, but the drake who is out tends to spend his time walking along the fence of the other run. Come fall, everyone is happy together in the big coop.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Thank you for the advice! So now I’m wondering how much space that many ducks would need. I have a 5x6 shed that could be divided for night. Then I have a 1000sq ft fenced in area with aviary netting over the top to keep the hawks out. The fenced in area has a kiddie pool, large doghouse that sits inside a duck tractor type shed for them to access during the day.

That sounds like you have built duck-heaven! I don't think i can help you out with my flock, i have the same drake problem here and i do not have a way to separate at least some of the drakes from my flock. The Pekin drake is a real problem, because he is a big and heavy guy that can injure lighter ducks. Are you able to divide your fenced-in area with just a 1' temporary fence? - The Khaki will be able to hop over that fence, the Pekin won't.
You need at least six ducks for these two boyz, maybe @WVduckchick knows somebody who would like to rehome some duckies.
Should you decide to get some mail-order ducklings i recommend two Runner Ducks and two White Layers. The Runners will be able to run away from the Pekin Drake (keeping him from turning into a fat blob) and the White Layers are heavy enough to keep up with a Pekin Drake. From duckling to duck it is just a little over two months (13-15 weeks), but your drakes may calm down somewhat when they are able to see the little ones.

 

[Isadora]

Runners will be able to run away from the Pekin Drake (keeping him from turning into a fat blob)

I laughed so hard when I read that sentence. I figure that's the only reason my drake isn't a blob... If he gets his mind set on mounting a runner, he will chase her for several minutes but never successfully mates her. They are just too agile for him. He has plenty of his own pekin ladies to mate, so it's not like he's deprived.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I laughed so hard when I read that sentence. I figure that's the only reason my drake isn't a blob... If he gets his mind set on mounting a runner, he will chase her for several minutes but never successfully mates her. They are just too agile for him. He has plenty of his own pekin ladies to mate, so it's not like he's deprived.

What ol' Pekin Drake could resist the seductiveness' of a slender, elegant Runner duck! »One day (gasp! gasp!) i will get you young duck and then (pant! pant!) we will have some fun! (pant! pant! cough!)«

 

[Amitch062]

That sounds like you have built duck-heaven! I don't think i can help you out with my flock, i have the same drake problem here and i do not have a way to separate at least some of the drakes from my flock. The Pekin drake is a real problem, because he is a big and heavy guy that can injure lighter ducks. Are you able to divide your fenced-in area with just a 1' temporary fence? - The Khaki will be able to hop over that fence, the Pekin won't.
You need at least six ducks for these two boyz, maybe @WVduckchick knows somebody who would like to rehome some duckies.
Should you decide to get some mail-order ducklings i recommend two Runner Ducks and two White Layers. The Runners will be able to run away from the Pekin Drake (keeping him from turning into a fat blob) and the White Layers are heavy enough to keep up with a Pekin Drake. From duckling to duck it is just a little over two months (13-15 weeks), but your drakes may calm down somewhat when they are able to see the little ones.

Thank you! I’ve been researching to see what breed would fit with our drakes. Little did we know that the “cute yellow duckie” would be ginormous! Right now I am alternating who gets the free range area and who gets the caged area. We added a small pool to the cage so both ducks have access to a cool bath. I’m worried about getting ducklings because I will be away from the house for 8 hours of the day. I was sure if the ducklings could stay alone for that long?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Thank you! I’ve been researching to see what breed would fit with our drakes. Little did we know that the “cute yellow duckie” would be ginormous! Right now I am alternating who gets the free range area and who gets the caged area. We added a small pool to the cage so both ducks have access to a cool bath. I’m worried about getting ducklings because I will be away from the house for 8 hours of the day. I was sure if the ducklings could stay alone for that long?

If they have enough water and food and are in a covered area they can stay by themselves without any problem. Last fall I had my ducklings outside from 9am until sunset (6..7pm) with a five gallon waterer and a three gallon feeder. By the end of the day the waterer was empty and they ate ½ of the food (13 ducklings). Little ducklings are tough as nails, much more resilient, cheeky and adventurous than chicks.

 

[Amitch062]

If they have enough water and food and are in a covered area they can stay by themselves without any problem. Last fall I had my ducklings outside from 9am until sunset (6..7pm) with a five gallon waterer and a three gallon feeder. By the end of the day the waterer was empty and they ate ½ of the food (13 ducklings). Little ducklings are tough as nails, much more resilient, cheeky and adventurous than chicks.

Thank you! Here’s the fellas I’ve been talking about.

 

[Amitch062]

 

[Lbubbs21]

I have to separate my drakes into 2 coops each with its own run during mating season. Each drake has 4 females. The groups get separate free range time, but the drake who is out tends to spend his time walking along the fence of the other run. Come fall, everyone is happy together in the big coop.

Will this eventually stop after a certain point (I.e. year 3 for example) or are drakes like this their whole lives?

 

[DukesDucks]

My expectation is that it will continue every year during mating season.