Duck Flock Turnover?

[DellaMyDarling]

I've got three yearlings (2 hens, one seemingly awesome drake)
Plus two approximately 12 week old.

I think my 12 week olds are both males
I also presume this is a negative thing.
Still watching and waiting. Do Welsh Harlequin females molt into a darker head before finishing molting into pretty white/buff adult feathers? Please say they do!


Anyway, my three yearlings were really upset after the third hen was killed. I brought the youngsters home a week after that and they were immediately pleased as duck mud pie. I thought integration was going to be a challenge!
So...if I do have three males...two need to go. Promised one to neighbor, not sure where other will go. Worried my ducks will be sad again.
Thinking of acquiring some other ducks for the duck flock. I want to stay around 6 total for now. I am open to other breeds, just happen to like Welsh Harlequin. If I go back to breeder they came from I'm worried about genetic diversity.

There's some fresh baby Craigslist Anconas. I think I can handle a few of those! Cheap, long time until integration allowing for time to re-home juveniles. Can't guarantee sex?
Or, order more duckling or juvenile Welsh'sfrom a hatchery? More up front cost, guaranteed sex.
Another breed entirely?

How does duck mating work in terms of breed? Can you get Ancona Harlequin?
No one has acted broody yet, doesn't look like we'll hatch our own anytime soon. My neighbors ducks are potentially hatching two of my eggs though

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

As long as you have Mallard derived ducks they can reproduce with each other and mixed ducklings are the cutest. Mallard on muscovy can reproduce but their offspring, called mules, are infertile.

 

[katiebrock]

Pics? Just because!

 

[springvalley123]

At 12 weeks you should see drake feathers, they usually come about 8 weeks. (1-2 tail feathers curled up). IN case those feathers got pulled out, the males at 12 weeks should have their adult voice, which is raspy. But, the darker head you're talking about is a dead giveaway for a drake. You'll want only one drake to five ducks (females). Some breeds could support trios, but I don't know your setup. As for getting more, my experience was that once a small flock grows to about egg laying age, anyone you try to integrate in needs to also be laying, then they get along. Otherwise it's problematic. Not sure about these "teenagers" but probably the 1-year olds will react the same to any new ones, as they did to your 12-week olds, assuming they are a similar age.

 

[Knighstar679]

Welsh Harlequin female heads can be darker but won’t have a green shine to them. I had a female before that had a cinnamon colored head that was pretty dark but it was nothing compared to my males.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

These ducks are odd ducks lol.

 

[Knighstar679]

I have good news for you. You have some very lovely ducks. Now for the bad news. Both of the birds you had pictured individually look to be males. They are darkening up pretty solid plus if you look at those chest feathers they are turning reddish brown. Both signs of Drakes in this breed.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

That was my suspicion

I presume that slowly they will no longer be able to get along either. As hormones increase, extra males must leave. Too bad. My son is like the duck whisperer. He so gently catches and sits petting the two young ones. I try to catch and they think I'm going to make soup out of them.

 

[Knighstar679]

That was my suspicion

I presume that slowly they will no longer be able to get along either. As hormones increase, extra males must leave. Too bad. My son is like the duck whisperer. He so gently catches and sits petting the two young ones. I try to catch and they think I'm going to make soup out of them.

I have 3 three to 4 weeks old babies and they think I am going to make soup out of them every time I move. But I did just get them so they have a good excuse.

I think you have a little bit of time before hormones really kick in at least 4ish weeks or so.

 

[chickens really]

Hello..I'm also seeing two Drakes. They won't get Drake feathers till after the juvenile molt at around 3 to 4 months old. They will get along with the others till they mature and a breeding season starts.