Drake Questions...

[DoodlesDuckies]

I have 3 drakes that are 3.5 months old and 6 ducks of the same age. 2 of the drakes act like they are the kings of the flock aka a-hole arrogant drakes. They are of the same breed-green heads. And I have one drake that is a khaki mix-very laid back-for now. The 2 boys "gang" up on the girls in the pool at night (if you know what I mean). The one khaki just hangs back.

I do have plans to rehome the 2 drakes due to ratio issues. My questions are:

Will their behavior change after this spurt of sexual behavior or is this who they are now?

Will the Khaki then step up and be the new a-hole of the flock if/when the 2 are rehomed?

I have heard of duck sexual behavior being aggressive- is this what it is truly like ALL the time? I understand the drake won't be bringing them flowers daily ect...or pairing up for life BUT the aggression is tough to witness and ignore when doing chores. How do you know when to step in when this is happening?

Thanks for any answers...

Renee

PS- Clark is STILL not into Tilly.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You watch the girls for wear and tear, feathers missing until bare skin is showing possible sores from having their skin grabbed even being grabbed around the eyes.
Drakes are sex-driven because their hormones are over the top, some worse than others. But when more than one drake together it can be really rough on the females To the point of drowning her when both gang up on her . I would not let them have access to the pool over night when you can't observe what is going on and maybe you should set up drake jail put the 2 in there and let the KC mix be with the girls this way you can get an idea how he will be when you rehome the other 2. I have 5 of my females separated from the 2 Runner drakes I have because one was being singled out and had a sore on her head that got infected I have her best friend in with her for company, My other 3 are old Muscovy females who the drakes will not leave alone . I love my drakes my girls love their drakes but I will not put up with over-mating to the point of injury. My 2 Runner drakes have 15 females and they went after this one.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Not all males are like that. My two boys so far have been (almost too) polite with breeding. But males can absolutely be rough and temperamental years after their puberty stage. If they're already acting like that, it's probable that they won't change too much for the better

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

Not all males are like that. My two boys so far have been (almost too) polite with breeding. But males can absolutely be rough and temperamental years after their puberty stage. If they're already acting like that, it's probable that they won't change too much for the better

I guess I thought, in a perfect world, they didn't get too frisky until spring. Or at least just "practiced" until spring. My little babies are naughty teenagers now. It was like a light switch flipped. I work away from the home all day but am out there in morning, at lunch and evening. Also started to let them have the 4 acres of lawn to forage all day long, they stick very close to the house and are in my landscaping which is another issue. BUT I want them happy and being "ducks" so I have let it slide.

Rambling now...I will need to keep watch and maybe really think about the rehoming. They would go to the woman I got their eggs from and she has MANY ducks/geese/turkeys and a giant pond so they would be happy there too. I just love them so much. This isn't for me though...it is for the happiness of the flock.

 

[Momsbusiness]

You watch the girls for wear and tear, feathers missing until bare skin is showing possible sores from having their skin grabbed even being grabbed around the eyes.
Drakes are sex-driven because their hormones are over the top, some worse than others. But when more than one drake together it can be really rough on the females To the point of drowning her when both gang up on her . I would not let them have access to the pool over night when you can't observe what is going on and maybe you should set up drake jail put the 2 in there and let the KC mix be with the girls this way you can get an idea how he will be when you rehome the other 2. I have 5 of my females separated from the 2 Runner drakes I have because one was being singled out and had a sore on her head that got infected I have her best friend in with her for company, My other 3 are old Muscovy females who the drakes will not leave alone . I love my drakes my girls love their drakes but I will not put up with over-mating to the point of injury. My 2 Runner drakes have 15 females and they went after this one.

Lydia I am a still keeping my near 2 month old ducklings away from the daddy drake. I do let momma go out with him and roam for several hours. Then I swall and lay the kids go out work momma and own up the dad. Cuz he is still mean to them tho they are sizing up to be and momma. Still waiting to hear what they are as far as male female. It stressful at times swapping them out tho. Ducks are not like chickens... lol

 

[cheezenkwackers]

In my experience, drakes get worse not better. My current drake has stepped up some after I rehomed two that were more aggressive but he is still less aggressive than they were. I think what you are doing is correct.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I guess I thought, in a perfect world, they didn't get too frisky until spring. Or at least just "practiced" until spring. My little babies are naughty teenagers now. It was like a light switch flipped. I work away from the home all day but am out there in morning, at lunch and evening. Also started to let them have the 4 acres of lawn to forage all day long, they stick very close to the house and are in my landscaping which is another issue. BUT I want them happy and being "ducks" so I have let it slide.

Rambling now...I will need to keep watch and maybe really think about the rehoming. They would go to the woman I got their eggs from and she has MANY ducks/geese/turkeys and a giant pond so they would be happy there too. I just love them so much. This isn't for me though...it is for the happiness of the flock.

It is a hard decision I had to rehome one drake this year because 3 were too many and I have 15 females with these boys. Your right it’s for the safety by and health of the flock.