Drake n Ducklings

[schrephouse]

So babys are 5 weeks. They all grew out of the area and pond we built. A good friend has a private pond on her property and offered to take them. We kept the drake away until today. The ducklings are huge, do they look like they will be ok with the drake now. Momma and drake on the left, ducklings on the right. He was bothering them a bit. I am nervous.

 

[the_peanut_coop]

So babys are 5 weeks. They all grew out of the area and pond we built. A good friend has a private pond on her property and offered to take them. We kept the drake away until today. The ducklings are huge, do they look like they will be ok with the drake now. Momma and drake on the left, ducklings on the right. He was bothering them a bit. I am nervous. View attachment 2705667View attachment 2705668

Wow! they have lovely afros. Just keep an eye out for any harrasment. I was just on a thread where a drake almost killed his babies.

 

[KaleIAm]

5 weeks feels a little young for mating to me.

 

[schrephouse]

I would assume they are to young for mating, hope he doesn't try that. Shucks, now a second thing to worry about.. I was concerned about the drake being potentially aggressive. They are only 5 weeks but they are as big as momma. They grew really fast.

 

[the_peanut_coop]

5 weeks feels a little young for mating to me.

I don't think they will mate. I would be more worried about aggressive behavior.

 

[KaleIAm]

I don't think they will mate. I would be more worried about aggressive behavior.

It may not be an issue, but it is something other members have repeatedly reported having problems with.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/drake-mating-ducklings.1469668/#post-24482947

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/drake-mating-duckling.1472896/

 

[schrephouse]

Wow! they have lovely afros. Just keep an eye out for any harrasment. I was just on a thread where a drake almost killed his babies.

I left them there since it was about 45 minutes away. I will ask my friend to keep watch for problems. Im kicking myself now. The ducklings are so big (literally the size of mom) it didn't occur to me dad could still hurt them. I should have handled it better. But they were out and on the water before I started questioning if he would be aggressive. It's so beautiful there, I was just happy for them.

 

[KaleIAm]

I left them there since it was about 45 minutes away. I will ask my friend to keep watch for problems. Im kicking myself now. The ducklings are so big (literally the size of mom) it didn't occur to me dad could still hurt them. I should have handled it better. But they were out and on the water before I started questioning if he would be aggressive. It's so beautiful there, I was just happy for them.

Sometimes things turn out fine! Let's just hope for the best.

 

[sourland]

I don't think they will mate. I would be more worried about aggressive behavior.

Depending upon the temperament of the drake, it is not unusual at all for them to attempt to breed young ducks/drakes with the potential for injury.