Joined BYC for information for raising happy ducks and kin-ship.
Story: Rescued 6 ducklings after Easter in 2013 (3 Pekin , 3 Swedish Blue). Lost 2 to a fox early on, so now have 4. Then learned crucial things from internet (some from reading BYC forum) like how ducks love routine, how to heard them and how to get them to come to my call at dusk so they stay safe, but I always have more questions.
About: Husband and myself own local business. Actively support my 11 yr old daughter and her endeavors. BUT my schedule revolves around my ducks'. No matter what time of day, the only times that matter are Sunrise & Dusk. Sunrise, I let them out to enjoy our mini lake. Dusk, they are called, fed and put up safe. I suspect neighbors might call me "crazy duck lady" which makes me proud.
Current situation: Too many males! 3 males to 1 female. Reminder, these are pet ducks, so getting rid of any would be unthinkable. Thinking of adding females-- I have room for only 2. Vet told me 'more females would not help' and it could make things worse. Told me to 'separate them until mating season over'. My 4 ducks are heavily imprinted on each other and would suffer from being split up. Sounds like advice I can't stand alone on.
What I know: I currently have (1) alpha male, (1) beta male, (1) passive male and (1) patient female. As soon as they hit the water every morning, alpha male asks female to mate. (He really does ask first!). She accepts, then they all four go about their day. Recently, boys are struggling for control; the beta is vying for control. He mounts the alpha while he's on the female nearly drowning her. I saw mallards drown a hen last year and it was so sad.
Today I kept the beta male in the coop for 5 minutes until the mating was over. It was not the pretty dance we usually do in the mornings and the whole group was upset with me and didn't understand what on earth I was doing by separating them. Hoping to learn from someone else's experience. Will another female or two help any?
Story: Rescued 6 ducklings after Easter in 2013 (3 Pekin , 3 Swedish Blue). Lost 2 to a fox early on, so now have 4. Then learned crucial things from internet (some from reading BYC forum) like how ducks love routine, how to heard them and how to get them to come to my call at dusk so they stay safe, but I always have more questions.
About: Husband and myself own local business. Actively support my 11 yr old daughter and her endeavors. BUT my schedule revolves around my ducks'. No matter what time of day, the only times that matter are Sunrise & Dusk. Sunrise, I let them out to enjoy our mini lake. Dusk, they are called, fed and put up safe. I suspect neighbors might call me "crazy duck lady" which makes me proud.
Current situation: Too many males! 3 males to 1 female. Reminder, these are pet ducks, so getting rid of any would be unthinkable. Thinking of adding females-- I have room for only 2. Vet told me 'more females would not help' and it could make things worse. Told me to 'separate them until mating season over'. My 4 ducks are heavily imprinted on each other and would suffer from being split up. Sounds like advice I can't stand alone on.
What I know: I currently have (1) alpha male, (1) beta male, (1) passive male and (1) patient female. As soon as they hit the water every morning, alpha male asks female to mate. (He really does ask first!). She accepts, then they all four go about their day. Recently, boys are struggling for control; the beta is vying for control. He mounts the alpha while he's on the female nearly drowning her. I saw mallards drown a hen last year and it was so sad.
Today I kept the beta male in the coop for 5 minutes until the mating was over. It was not the pretty dance we usually do in the mornings and the whole group was upset with me and didn't understand what on earth I was doing by separating them. Hoping to learn from someone else's experience. Will another female or two help any?
and Welcome To BYC! You might want to post in the Ducks forum about your guys ... 
