Duck female attached to her mate

[cheezenkwackers]

I’m thinking about keeping one or two of the drakes. If I keep two then I plan on getting at least 3 more females to have 10 females. I will still have to keep him separated from 5 of the females until they are another month or so older but I guess I could put the two females and him together. Those 3 are the ones I’ve had since may.

I tried to keep two drakes with six hens with bad results. Maybe ten will be better. But, my issue was that they would purposely chase and rape the other drake’s girls. I think it was more about dominance than anything else. If I were in your situation and I had a good home for those drakes, and I would only keep the one. However, if I was planning on getting more ducks in the spring, I would rehome all the drakes and keep one (or maybe two) from the batch in the spring. That way you don’t have to worry about an older drake getting with a too young hen. It also merges your flocks sooner rather than later. Just my opinion.

 

[Hball]

Thank you all. I’m attached to the three drakes I’ve had since may but I’m going to keep my saxony in hopes of getting a saxony female one day. And my mallard since he is small. I will keep them separated for a little while longer and also I’m going to try to get 3-4 more females and monitor.

 

[BelovedBirds]

Thank you all. I’m attached to the three drakes I’ve had since may but I’m going to keep my saxony in hopes of getting a saxony female one day. And my mallard since he is small. I will keep them separated for a little while longer and also I’m going to try to get 3-4 more females and monitor.

If you had the room, you could always house the boys together in a separate pen.
Though this isn't practical for most people, it's a good solution for too many dominant drakes.

You're doing such a good job as a duck mum, considering ratios and making these tough decisions. Best of luck to your flock!

 

[Luv Ducks]

I had to rehome my huge Muscovy Drake this past fall. His sister constantly was by the Drake Jail looking at him and he was brutal on all of my Hens. She missed him for a few days and then I got another Muscovy Drake and between her and my Mule Duck she is perfectly happy. Good luck with your decision. Sometimes it is hard to decide who to keep and who to send down the road.