Drake or no drake

[Myrkk]

The plan was always to have a breeding set of silver appleyards as I would like to breed and show them. However, we’ve been lucky enough to end up with two hens and they are very bonded and we have 3 pullets they get on very well with.

I’m now wondering about getting a drake. Is it a good idea. I know if I want to breed them I’ll have to but is it worth upsetting the group dynamic? How disruptive will having a drake be?

 

[Evadig]

It all depends on the drake . You can’t keep the drake in with the chickens (he could kill them), and you would most likely need more than two girl ducks. Drakes love to mate. There are very laidback drakes, but I’m thinking they’re a bit hard to find.

Hope this helps!

 

[ChurchGirl]

Getting a Drake is a good idea generally. Female ducks like having a Drake around, just make sure that when you adopt him (if you do) then just watch him to make sure he gets along with the other ducks. Also a tip would be to get so vitamins for the ducks when you get a Drake because getting new animals can always bring in new bacteria to the flock.

 

[Evadig]

Also a tip would be to get so vitamins for the ducks when you get a Drake because getting new animals can always bring in new bacteria to the flock.

You generally also quarantine the new bird for a bit to prevent this .

 

[Myrkk]

Yes, the ducks are messy in their bed so we are not going to keep them in with the chickens, they’re just in there until I finish building their home.
If I were to get a drake I would get another 2 females to go with the ones we have, would that be enough?

 

[KathiQuacks]

Yes, the ducks are messy in their bed so we are not going to keep them in with the chickens, they’re just in there until I finish building their home.
If I were to get a drake I would get another 2 females to go with the ones we have, would that be enough?

1 drake to 4 hens should be fine, yes.

 

[Quatie]

Yes, the ducks are messy in their bed so we are not going to keep them in with the chickens, they’re just in there until I finish building their home.
If I were to get a drake I would get another 2 females to go with the ones we have, would that be enough?

It really depends on the drake. I have had drakes that have been happy with a few females and drakes that need 10+ females. Drakes tend to treat their broodermates better. You can also have them obsess with one female over mate them even with enough females. Personally, I would go with 5-6 females, especially in case one gets sick or has other health issues.

It can also be a challenge to see how a good fit a drake will be. This summer one of my drakes started out a favorite of the girls and treated them well. At the end, he was obsessive with the girls and became a problem. We had to cull him in the end.

Drakes can be a challenge, but if you find a good drake, they are amazing. I have ones who are sweet and will protect their girls. They watch over them and make sure they get plenty of food.

 

[Myrkk]

It seems to have worked well having the two hens in an outside pen that the chooks could see them but not get to them and vice versa, for a few weeks before we let them free roam. This seems to have worked well as they all roam together and the ducks follow the chickens to bed at night and all cuddle up in a massive pile. I’m almost sorry to separate them out

Will this be enough to acclimatise new birds if and when we get them? We’d keep them in a separate part of the garden initially to ensure no pathogens are brought in with them. I’m intending to source from a show breeder so hopefully they’ll be good, healthy ones.