Drake to Hen Ratio

[Ejabl07]

Hi All!!

As some of you may know from my other posts, I am a new Duck mom. We have four ducklings that are 2 weeks old and four that are about a week old, we got them from our local feed store so they are unsexed. I have been doing a lot of research and I am seeing that a good ration is 3-5 hens per every drake in your flock. We are very impatiently waiting until they are old enough to quack to see what we have.

What has been your experience with finding a good ratio in your flocks? Also any suggestions you have about managing your flock if you find yourself with way more males than females?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Rehoming is what I have been able to do the few time I had too many drakes. I say 3-4 and up is good per drake and that may still cause trouble because there always seems to be one drake who wants them all. I have 2 drakes now aMuscovy and a Runner my Muscovy has 4 females my Runner has 6 they do not share and live peacefully together foraging during the day on a little over a half acre. I could never have two Muscovy drakes live this way always had to keep them separated with their own females.

 

[thumper650]

I have four drakes and no females. The worst ratio. It's not even a ratio. Wintertime is fine. I have one that's aggressive now, and in his own pen. I'll probably have them all seperate soon. They do get supervised outside time. One of my pekins is after my black runner. It is funny to see the runners take off and leave the pekins in the dust!
I've heard the minimum is 2 ducks per Drake, but as I'm finding out, each duck has its own personality and needs.

 

[bluemerle]

If you have enough space, separating them is an option. If I ever wanted a breeding flock, that's what I'd do - split the front & back yard into halves, one drake per section. Of course, that also means you have to maintain more ponds, waterers, and feeders.