Duck

[beardiemom]

I have all males. 8 male magpie ducks to be exact. They are now 2 years old. They were absolutely fine for their first year, then hormones kicked in during the spring and we had some jostling for position. We created a protective custody pen and kept the beat up one separate. Then we felt sorry for him and added a friend. ... A few weeks later, things were fine. In the end we decided to divide our boys into two groups of 4. That way if one gets beat up the number laying the beating is smaller. Our second spring is ending and we don't have anyone in protective custody anymore. We have two areas and two sets of houses for our 8 - and we are fine with that.

You are fine with all males, especially if you just have a few. Just be prepared that you might need to separate one until feathers heal from time to time. No different than chickens.

Good luck and enjoy. Ducks are a lot of fun.

Sharon

 

[MMURKIN]

Thank you Sharon.

I only plan of having 2 buddies. I am going to spend ALOT of time with them even getting them Diapers so that they can come in at night and hang out with me for a few hours and sleep in my spare room in a Coop. I would think that they would be fine with that and based on waht i am hearing its about 70/30 that i will be alright, but i need alot of opinions to make the final decision. If i don't have TWO based on everyone's thoughts i am going to have to go with one, but NO femals. I am not picking up eggs!! It is either 2 or one and SPOIL THEM ROTTEN.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

[MMURKIN]

Thank you Ashley,

I appreciate your thoughts and i will note them.

Michael

 

[beardiemom]

Two males will be fine. Hopefully one will be the boss and the other the follower. They may jostle a little depending on whether the bossy one is a bully or not but if you step in and separate you can keep a handle on things.

Out of our 8 - 5 are totally peaceful and have no plucked feathers and 3 jockey for position and show feather loss, which is regrowing now that the spring testosterone surge is over.

I like our ducks and they are fun, but I sure wouldn't want them inside unless you go for bantam ducks. If you only have two you can modify a dog house and keep them nice and safe outside and play with them there. Just remember that their house needs a lot of ventilation. It will stay cleaner and fresh smelling longer that way.

 

[duckyhomie12]

very cute picture
fromkyhomie12

 

[duckyhomie12]

that is SO sweet get ready to change some diapers! stinky ones too!!

fromkyhomie12

 

[superduckling12]

I had all muscovy drakes at one time 3 of them and they got along great till I decided to go get 3 girls, that's when the trouble started.

what do you mean thats when the trouble started?????????

what happened???????????????


(sorry if i am being too nosy)

-----superduckling12

 

[duck brain]

She probably means that when she got the girls the drakes hormones kicked in and started fighting. I keep my Cayuga drake with a male and female Chinese pair. They got along fine until the geese were three months old (my Cayuga is two months) and Big Guy (the gander) started picking on Dobkin (my drake). But Dobkin still pals around with the geese and Big Guy is okay with that as long as he doesn't catch Dobkin getting to close to Hothead!

 

[duckyhomie12]

I am wanting to possibly purchase a Baby Ring-neck DUCK, can anyone tell me if this is possible or who i may call to do this?

Thank you

what is a Baby Ring-neck duck? could somebody possibly post a pic of one???

 

[MMURKIN]

You can Google Ring Neck Duck and theri are plenty of pictures. I am looking for a Male which are the Dark headed ones with the Gry and White bottom. Their is one right out back of my office and he is the coolest bird in the pond. He chills with about 35 other Mallards and definitley knows his place, but doesn't need to have anyone around or he hangs witht the entire group and they welcome him. I meant when i feed them he knows his place, it is funny how all of the birds out there have a seniority and someone how they all know there order. Crazy. Anyways, I my opinion is that the ringneck duck is the most beautiful of all of the ducks. He just a little guy, but really neat to watch with a Awesome sleek head.