Drakes raping my little hens / (male ducks raping female ducks), they are injuring my females! HELP!

[yarnchick]

I am now in this position. We have 3 runners, 2 female-1male, 2 pekins, 2 males for sure . They are on their 14th week. My pekin Aflac is maturing way early. He has been so "bad". My poor runners and the runner drake. We have them separated right now. I was under the impression that ducks had "seasons" but this big drake is like my Louis the rooster. Will there ever be a time they could be together or do I just need to unload?

 

[Starfire669]

I am now in this position. We have 3 runners, 2 female-1male, 2 pekins, 2 males for sure . They are on their 14th week. My pekin Aflac is maturing way early. He has been so "bad". My poor runners and the runner drake. We have them separated right now. I was under the impression that ducks had "seasons" but this big drake is like my Louis the rooster. Will there ever be a time they could be together or do I just need to unload?

I would unload extra drakes. Or keep them separated. Too many drakes will over breed and injure the hens.

 

[yarnchick]

That is what we were afraid of. We let them out together to forage in the woods. We kept eye on them. They did pretty good but Aflac didn't want Mist to tag along. The duck hut was much cleaner this morning with the 3 pekins in another cage.

 

[Starfire669]

That is what we were afraid of. We let them out together to forage in the woods. We kept eye on them. They did pretty good but Aflac didn't want Mist to tag along. The duck hut was much cleaner this morning with the 3 pekins in another cage.

A drake that is significantly larger than the hens can injure the hens. Also ducks practice rape, so having 2 large Pekins fight over 1 female runner could seriously injure her, of if it happened in a pool/pond/lake could cause the hen to drown. I had a large Pekin drake rape my small created mallard on land, and she now has a permanent limp because of it. The Pekin was re-home immediately afterwards.

 

[yarnchick]

Well folks, my 3 beautiful Pekins left this afternoon. Was sad but I am getting more runners. I now have 1 drake and 2 hens. They are all fawn and white. I was looking at penciled but they are sold out for this year. I was thinking of only 2 more hens. My husband says 3 but 4 would be a lot less $$$. I do not want that many now me thinks. Been tossing around blues, blacks, or chocolates. Leaning towards the blue. Ordering just 3. I know that I will have to pay more but don't want to get into to much work. Really 2 would be my choice. What would you folks advise. I know have the 1 drake and 2 hens. 2 or three more hens. Any body have blue or any other color.