Drakes trying to mate hens

[Chickiemama68]

Hi everyone. I'm a new chicken and duck owner as of March 2018. I have 4 Rhode Island Reds and 2 BarredRock/RI red mixed. I also have 2 gorgeous khaki Campbell drakes. A few weeks ago, I noticed the drakes pulling at the hens' necks. After reading a bit, I realized my drakes are frisky and very hormonally driven. They have been raised together and seem very distraught when separated but I have separated the drakes from the hens at night. They free range during the day. Anyhow, I understand that a long term solution may be to get some female ducks but that will take some planning since we will have to build a new fortress for the ducks. (The chickens are as secure as humanly possible without being ridiculous). My question is can my hens manage to outrun the drakes in the meantime? They dont seem to understand that the drakes wont bother them if they hang out on higher ground so it seems that outrunning or outsmarting is the next best bet. What do you all think?

 

[chickens really]

Drakes once sexually mature can kill your chicken Hens.
So definitely separate them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have seen my chicken hens squat for my geese. So I would think they would squat for a drake if the drake was persistent. I wouldn't take any chances ..Temp fencing for the drakes till you can get females and build them their own area. My chicken hen would squat for the geese when they would walk up on her and just stand there looking at her.

My drakes[2] because they have their own harem have never bothered the hens.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed. Allowing drakes to have access to female chickens is an invitation to disaster. I would not wish such a thing on any of my hens.

 

[EggWalrus]

You need to keep them separated. Roosters don't have the equipment that a drake does. It's like the difference between a hot dog and a baseball bat. A drake can not just do damage but can kill a hen if you let them play ball together.

 

[chickens really]

In simple terms a Drake has a Penis and Roosters don't. Chicken breeding is like rubbing belly buttons..

 

[drumstick diva]

I've tried to convey that message often but, some people think they know better. Drakes are randy to begin with - if they are mating on water, sometimes a buddy will get on to share the event - duck hen ends up drowning. No remorse from the drakes. Just go find another one.

 

[chickens really]

I've tried to convey that message often but, some people think they know better. Drakes are randy to begin with - if they are mating on water, sometimes a buddy will get on to share the event - duck hen ends up drowning. No remorse from the drakes. Just go find another one.

Yes..And the misconception that Ducks pair up or breed for life is not true. A Drake breeds all Hens and if multiple Drakes it's a disaster..

 

[Chickiemama68]

Thank you. This is consistent to what I'm reading. I will set up temporary fencing for the drakes. They are adorable, but just so very persistent.

 

[happy duck]

Remember tho that if you do get more females you need 3-4 females to each drake. I think separating is a better option.