Duck to Drake ratio question.

[HouseMouseHens]

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[ppimf]

u could keep 2 males but not three, i have a couple in pairs and i got one that is 2-5 ratio, i like to see 1-4 is perfect in my eyes, but everyone has their thoughts. in hatcherys they have alot higher number like 1-10 i believe.

 

[angiert]

Quote:
Well, i have 9 cayugas, 5 boys and 4 girls, all in the same house and run and it has never been a problem except when ducklings arrive.... i have to take babies out or the males injure them

 

[jdywntr]

The recommended ratio is 1:4-6. Sometimes a bad ratio will work but if you choose to keep more than 1 you need to have a backup plan in mind if there is a problem. Too many drakes can injure or kill the girls so I'm glad that you are thinking ahead. Again, sometimes it works for some people.

Right now, I have 9 females (4, adults, 5- 4.5 month) and 3 drakes (1 adult, 2 - 4.5 months) and some younger ducklings (4 F, 2 M) but 1 of the 4.5 month old drakes is already becoming a problem and will be going to the freezer to join the other extras I had. Their dad and the other juvenile are fine.

 

[HouseMouseHens]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I'm thinking we will wait until all the boys fully feather out and then decide which we want to keep. I know for sure we won't keep all three, but I am thinking we may try two until it becomes a problem and then eat one of them. I tried so hard to not become attached to them all because I know we weren't going to keep ALL of them, but I can't help living each and every one of them.