Ducks mating

[Tubby28282]

So I have 10 females and 5 drakes. 4 of the drakes only mate with one female and it’s taking a big toll on her. I noticed on the back of her head she was bleeding a little, what can I do to stop this? I have plenty of females for the other drakes to mate with but they only go for her. I’m quite confused and worried about the female Im scared she’ll get injured pretty badly if this keeps on happening

 

[sourland]

If it were me I would get rid of 3 of the drakes that are overmating the hen before they injure or kill her. Either that or find a new home for her.

 

[DucksAreBest]

I agree with @sourland.

 

[arwoon]

I agree with @sourland.

x2

 

[KaleIAm]

So I have 10 females and 5 drakes. 4 of the drakes only mate with one female and it’s taking a big toll on her. I noticed on the back of her head she was bleeding a little, what can I do to stop this? I have plenty of females for the other drakes to mate with but they only go for her. I’m quite confused and worried about the female Im scared she’ll get injured pretty badly if this keeps on happening

Unfortunately, you are right to worry. Drakes do kill and seriously injure female ducks. My own duck was overmated before I adopted her and she still suffers from that damage 6 years later. Usually 4 or 5 female ducks per drake is recommended to spread out the mating. Even then some members monitor the situation carefully, especially in the spring. Sometimes drakes will choose a favorite duck and mate with her excessively. In your case it sounds like 4 of your drakes have chosen a favorite duck.

Personally, I feel like you have 2 basic options. 1) Rehome a number of drakes. I might rehome all 4 of the drakes overmating your girl. Or 2) Make a bachelor flock if you are attached to your drakes. I have heard that it works best if the drakes aren't near the hens.

 

[Ratchnick]

You can split them the boys out for spring or isolate her if you want the other hens fertilized. The rest of the year they should play nice.

 

[3bird]

It sounds like you have gotten a bunch of good advice. Like others have said, if you plan to keep the flock together, you need to lower the draken ratio. We've found 1:5 to be our sweet spot, but even that takes management during our mating season (~April to September). We do like having a drake with our flock, but we've learned that you must be set up for easily separating birds while keeping everyone together (e.g., on either side of fence they can see through). Also keep in mind that it isn't just overmating. Sometimes it's dominance, where the drake will run down one girl repeatedly, stand on her and then get off without mating.

 

[Lilbitsnpieces]

I have more than one drake for breeding but i always separate them out during mating season..one drake per 4 or 5 hens. I also watch closely, as others stated dominance or simply by matin a hen can be killed. Esp if shes a favorite. I have panels that i can easily place inside my main pen to section off different areas. Sometimes putting males together is not always the answer as the dominant one will try and kill or injure the others. It is best to decide which drake is best for your needs/wants. Do with remaining as you will.