Duck Ratio

[baasanders]

I have two ducks that are about 10 weeks old. I know one is definitely a female, and I'm about 95% sure the other is a male. They live with my 3 call ducks (1 male two female). I don't want to separate the pair, but I'm thinking 3 girls and 2 boys will be bad next year, especially since my young drake is bigger than the calls. If I add one more girl, will that balance out? Otherwise, I may re-home the pair just to keep them together.

 

[Duckie doodle]

I have two ducks that are about 10 weeks old. I know one is definitely a female, and I'm about 95% sure the other is a male. They live with my 3 call ducks (1 male two female). I don't want to separate the pair, but I'm thinking 3 girls and 2 boys will be bad next year, especially since my young drake is bigger than the calls. If I add one more girl, will that balance out? Otherwise, I may re-home the pair just to keep them together.

From what I have read your supposed to have 3 females per male.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

It is more like 4-5 ducks per drake and even then there will be some fights during mating season.

 

[PirateGirl]

It really depends the drake. I have one drake and 5 girls. He started with 3 girls. All was well. When I added two more girls, one of them became his new favorite and actually looks worse for wear than any of the girls every looked when there were only 3 of them. I don't know that adding more girls would really make a difference in my case because, like I said, sometimes they just pick a favorite and ignore the rest. I think in your case, the size difference can be one of the biggest things you have working against you. Your girls will not be able to fend off his advances, ever. Also with more girls, you may still have fighting between your two males, or they may have the same favorite. I'm sorry I'm rambling and not giving a clear answer, but just giving more confusing scenarios to think about. I think you should wait until spring and see how things play out. Have a plan to separate them, or re-home them, or add more females, and be prepared that your plan may not solve the problem 100% and you may have to take additional steps. It is good that you are thinking ahead on this.