Fearful runner ducks don't go outside

[Miss Lydia]

They really are so young to be out there by themselves.

 

[darla.m]

Hi everyone, I've got one more question to add to this thread...
Well, the ducks are still terrified, seemingly more so of me now that I've been having to catch Bees everyday to rinse his eyes (which are still not fully healed...)
We've found someone in the area selling two "adult" (6 or 7 month old) males. I'm thinking of going to get them tomorrow, but is it a good idea to bring males into the story? The owner said it was more the females that I should worry about, but I have a hard time imagining adult male ducks taking to ones half their age.
Any thoughts? are males a bad idea? How to introduce them? can I just let the adults out in the duck pen or do I need to keep them separated for a while?
Thanks for any advice!

 

[Lil Drake40]

Until you youngest are laying age which is anywhere from 4.5 to 5 months of age they need to be kept separate from the drakes so the drakes won’t mate them till they are old enough for mating.same age as laying. Also drakes need at least 3-4 females each to keep them from over breeding the girls

 

[darla.m]

Wow, ok, glad I asked! So does that mean if I find a "threesome" then that's ok? or does it have to be just females?
Thanks again!

 

[Miss Lydia]

You can bring in 2 drakes as long as you have at least 3-4 females for each one. Of course all I can do is rec it's up to you if you do or not but most of us that have had drakes and females know from experience that having too many drakes and not enough females is not good at all. Oh yes those drakes will be very interested in your young Runners if they are all females but they shouldn't breed them at their young age.

 

[darla.m]

ok, well then I guess I shouldn't bring in a drake until I know the sex of the three young ones, right? if it turns out they're not all females then I guess I'll have problems... I will try and find some adult females then to add to the band and hopefully get everyone to calm down a bit!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Best idea. How old are your ducklings again? maybe voice will give you a hint soon. When you pick Bee up to clean the eyes does she/he make any noise. Females quack loud drakes are raspy like they are about to lose their voices.

 

[darla.m]

They're between 2,5 and 3 months now I'd say. I can't remember much about the quacking... I know they still do a lot of "peeping" like babies, but I'm pretty sure the majority do have a raspy sound... maybe even all three -_-

 

[Miss Lydia]

here is my Runner drake talking every breathe maybe this will help you determine.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you have all drakes you might can get away with having an all drake flock if your not interested in eggs or ducklings.