freeheartfarms
In the Brooder
Hey All!
I've got 5 ducks- 1 Rouen drake, 2 Pekin hens, and 2 Khaki Campbell hens. The Pekin hens are a little over a year old and were raised together since day olds in the brooder. We had an Orptington drake brought up with them that we lost several months ago to a predator. Since then, one of the Pekin hens (Jemima Puddleduck) has started mounting the other in the pool- I'm assuming taking on the role of drake since they were used to having one around. I think they really miss him. This was happening before we brought the younger batch outside to join the rest of the birds. The Rouen drake and Khaki hens were brought up together- they're about 4/5 months old. Everything was great with them- they were getting along *swimmingly* until I started noticing the drake chasing Jemima away from the group, when eating, etc.
Why is this happening? Only thing I can think of is that he's witnessed Jemima mounting the other hen in the pool and has mistaken her behavior for being a drake? I've only seen the drake mating the Khakis, never the Pekins. They're still really young- the Khakis haven't even begun laying yet. Curious to see what others have to say about it. I'm about to find a new home for the little fellow. Would prefer to keep him if I can, my daughters love him, but poor Jemima Puddleduck has become dejected and I often find her by herself, foraging or sitting by her lonesome. Anything I can do to mend this situation? Duck behavior can be confusing!
I've got 5 ducks- 1 Rouen drake, 2 Pekin hens, and 2 Khaki Campbell hens. The Pekin hens are a little over a year old and were raised together since day olds in the brooder. We had an Orptington drake brought up with them that we lost several months ago to a predator. Since then, one of the Pekin hens (Jemima Puddleduck) has started mounting the other in the pool- I'm assuming taking on the role of drake since they were used to having one around. I think they really miss him. This was happening before we brought the younger batch outside to join the rest of the birds. The Rouen drake and Khaki hens were brought up together- they're about 4/5 months old. Everything was great with them- they were getting along *swimmingly* until I started noticing the drake chasing Jemima away from the group, when eating, etc.
Why is this happening? Only thing I can think of is that he's witnessed Jemima mounting the other hen in the pool and has mistaken her behavior for being a drake? I've only seen the drake mating the Khakis, never the Pekins. They're still really young- the Khakis haven't even begun laying yet. Curious to see what others have to say about it. I'm about to find a new home for the little fellow. Would prefer to keep him if I can, my daughters love him, but poor Jemima Puddleduck has become dejected and I often find her by herself, foraging or sitting by her lonesome. Anything I can do to mend this situation? Duck behavior can be confusing!
❤
