Duck/drake ratio

[Happy Camper]

I have 4 Peking ducks that ended being 3 drakes and a girl... is this a problem when it comes to mating?
I have seen no eggs yet nor mating and they are mature enough.

 

[Amiga]

It could begin all of a sudden, I suppose. But her life may actually become endangered. It depends on the ducks, but there are many stories of all the drakes wanting to mate with the duck, sometimes at the same time.

Please take care of her.

 

[DeckDuck]

Yes, that probably will be a problem. Most people suggest keeping at least 2-3 ducks for each drake. 1:3 would be an awful lot of mating for one duck to handle. I've read about excess drakes ganging up on a duck all at once and accidentally drowning her in the process. I don't mean to sound dark -it's just something to keep in mind.

Perhaps you could separate them into two groups (the best drake with the hen and the other two boys together) to help her out.

 

[Happy Camper]

Hmmm... hadn't thought about her being at risk. Would love to hear some testimonials. She is very bossy but I don't know if that can change once drakes find out she's mating material...

 

[PoultryGirly]

I had 3 drakes to 2 hen ducks and I had to get rid of 2 of my males. If females are outnumbered, that is never a good sign. They all may get along now, but when they become mature enough, they could hurt her and over-mate her. They, maybe, would try to mate her all at the same time. They could even kill her. She is in your hands! You make the choice!

 

[Happy Camper]

Well... I guess I can always try exchanging them w/ someone looking for drakes or have two good meals...

 

[Haunted55]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/735616/saying-goodbye-to-mandy-long-and-graphic/30#post_10308554

Please read this thread, or at least the beginning of it if nothing else. Pekins are very sexualy oriented, more so than any other duck I currently have. With what I have learned, I would pick the best drake and cull the others. Pekins are essentialy meat birds in the end. Understand, I am not trying to be cruel, just telling you what happened to me.

 

[Going Quackers]

You will either A. need to get rid of some drakes

B. Add more ducks

C. create a drake flock and get the duck more duck friends.


Sorry, i do get it, frustrating as all get out BUT if you don't your asking for serious problems, for reference currently, i have 2 drakes and 8 ducks.. so each drake has 4, that will be brought up to 5 come later spring with the addition of two female buffs, i also have a nest about to hatch and that may provide some more ducks.

All my ducks are Muscovy at the moment, this ratio gives them enough to fuss with, and doesn't overwork a single one.

 

[jdywntr]

Yes, you will need to get rid of 2 males or get at least 8 more females that are the same age or older than yours. Pekin drakes are typically very aggressive when it comes to mating. This will start pretty quickly. You will also have the males starting to fight as they will each want to be the one that breeds with the female. You can try seperating 2 of the males but unless you have a very large area, it may or may not work. Drake flocks need to be kept out of sight of females.

I had a bad ratio of runners when I first started with ducks. 3 females, 4 males. The females were overbred to the point of being bloody and having no feathers on the back of their necks. I probably would have lost one if I wasn't around as the boys would gang up on one female and one would try to mate with her while the others were holding her down by the neck.

Also, I see in your avatar that at least one is crested. If you want to have ducklings this can be a problem. Whoever you choose to keep, if your female is crested don't keep a male that is crested. If you don't want to hatch ducklings, keep your favorite male.

 

[Happy Camper]

Yes, you will need to get rid of 2 males or get at least 8 more females that are the same age or older than yours. Pekin drakes are typically very aggressive when it comes to mating. This will start pretty quickly. You will also have the males starting to fight as they will each want to be the one that breeds with the female. You can try seperating 2 of the males but unless you have a very large area, it may or may not work. Drake flocks need to be kept out of sight of females.

I had a bad ratio of runners when I first started with ducks. 3 females, 4 males. The females were overbred to the point of being bloody and having no feathers on the back of their necks. I probably would have lost one if I wasn't around as the boys would gang up on one female and one would try to mate with her while the others were holding her down by the neck.

Also, I see in your avatar that at least one is crested. If you want to have ducklings this can be a problem. Whoever you choose to keep, if your female is crested don't keep a male that is crested. If you don't want to hatch ducklings, keep your favorite male.

I already posted two of my drakes for sale... The female is the only one that is not crested. The three males are and I got them all from the same vendor at the same time. Is it possible she is not crested but has crested genes? Sorry for the question... why can't two crested mate?

Here's a picture of the males... (the female is underneath the hay)...