Female over-mating?

[Jesusfreak101]

Probably cause ducks generally only mate when swimming some times my Drake tries when they are no where near water but water gets the excited.

 

[PikeDoss]

Once their pecking order is established it should help. But it sounds like you have some very frustrated females. How many water areas do you have?

Right now they free range for about an hour in the morning and 2-3 hrs in the evening in which they have access to 1 large cement tub and a few smaller waters. In between that they have access to drinking water but not swimming water. Per a note I just posted, they will have access all day to a 1,300 gallon pond as soon as I can finish it.

 

[chickens really]

I believe you just solved your issue yourself...

 

[JedJackson]

One other thought and hope might be that for the last few weeks that have had limited access to swimming water so maybe they are going crazy when they get a chance to range and have access to the cement water tub. Currently in the final stages of expanding their covered pen to about 120' x 25' which has a 1,300 gallon pond in it. Maybe once they have access to deeper water all day things might spread out over the day versus go crazy all at one time?

That should even things out, I would think. When I had ducks in the past they much preferred mating on water to doing it on land.

 

[Jesusfreak101]

once they have regular access to water they should calm down.

 

[PikeDoss]

I believe you just solved your issue yourself...

One more reason to get the pen done... Been a project from hell starting with the dumbest decision of hand digging the 9 ft across and 4 ft deep hole. All I have left is to get some wire strung for the roof (due to hawks) and netting placed on top of that and they will have full access.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Good Possibility lol I know mine have had to go with out swimming water most of winter and when we get up above freezing and they get their pool they go nuts too.

I would just watch for females that are needing some special care and just let it work it's self out. Especially if your intention is to just have a flock of ducks for pets. Having more than 1 drake can be a nightmare unless you can keep the 2 separate and with their own females.

 

[chickens really]

One more reason to get the pen done... Been a project from hell starting with the dumbest decision of hand digging the 9 ft across and 4 ft deep hole. All I have left is to get some wire strung for the roof (due to hawks) and netting placed on top of that and they will have full access.

 

[PikeDoss]

Good Possibility lol I know mine have had to go with out swimming water most of winter and when we get up above freezing and they get their pool they go nuts too.

I would just watch for females that are needing some special care and just let it work it's self out. Especially if your intention is to just have a flock of ducks for pets. Having more than 1 drake can be a nightmare unless you can keep the 2 separate and with their own females.

All of mine are pets (with the benefit of selling eggs to pay for all their food) as they are the biggest stress relief for me and love everything about them. Don't plan on hatching anytime soon if ever as I really don't like dealing with re-homing or other things I won't do with ducks. Really only have the one drake as at the time of rescue, thought all 3 were females and regardless felt so bad for the 3 I'm sure I would have taken regardless as that place was pure hell.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Bless you for taking them in. Always wonderful to hear of happy safe places for ducklings/ducks in need.

Funny thing is I thought after my Runners and Buffs would get through their first year they would not be so obsessed with their drake, they will be 2 in late May and those girls are still running up to him bobbing their heads acting like lil hussy's. My Muscovy females have much more tact. lol