Help! Broke Down Female Duck

[ThornyRidge]

was wondering what everyone's experience was with ratio of males to females.. currently have a mixed bag of ducks and unfortunately the male to female ratio is way off.. currently there are 6 males and only 3 females.. the males are all over them constantly and two of the gals are taking the brunt of this brutal nonstop courtship! Looking into getting rid of some males but would it be easier to just incorporate more females and if so how many? don't want to be overrun with ducks but had to rescue one gal last night who now goes off in woods to escape brutality of males and could then become coyote dinner!! She is now recouperating in garage for awhile.. what to do??!?!?!!?

 

[duckyfromoz]

At least you are aware of the problem...

How does getting another 12 girls sound??? But seriously.... you might have an easier time rehoming a few of those drakes than evening up the numbers with more ducks..

I currently have a similar issue but with young ducks that have not reached maturity- so I still have some time to rehome those extras before it becomes a problem. I plan on penning my ducks in trios for next breeding season- but I know of others who have up to 6 ducks per drake without getting issues with fertility.

 

[CityChicker]

In my experience, the more drakes you have together, the more likely that you will need even more females per drake than normal. About the minimum number to prevent fighting (which is bound to develop eventually with that ratio) and over bred females is probably 2-3 per drake. With that many drakes, even more than that would be better. Of course, if they were raised together, there might be less fighting. Also, if you have them in a large area, there might be less fighting. Aggression aside though, just in trying to remedy the issue with the hens being bred too much, I would consider getting rid of a few drakes AND adding at least a few hens.

 

[becc]

with me I used to have three drakes to two ducks... the females used to look worn out and the weaker drake kept running off on the group,
now I have two drakes to three ducks and they are more at balance- mid you one of my drakes is not sexualy mature.

 

[Amiga]

I would separate the drakes from the females right away and decide if I had enough room for enough ducks, and spring for the little extra cost of ordering females only ( I paid a premium of a little over a dollar a duck). If not, I would start working on rehoming the drakes.

 

[Wifezilla]

Extra drakes make a tasty dinner.

 

[sourland]

Get rid of five of the drakes before your ducks end up dead or permanently injured. Gang breeding frenzies are very dangerous for the females involved.

 

[NYREDS]

They will literally breed a female to death. You would need several more females-like 12 or 15 more at least. Duck is delicious!

 

[ThornyRidge]

ohhh see I can't eat them.. will look to rehome them.. probably end up going free and don't want to get caught illegally letting them go somewhere.. the over breeding is the only issue.. this is a large area so space is definately not an issue.. almost 30 acres with 5 different ponds two of which are well over an acre a piece.. and as far as fighting the drakes all seem to get along.. two of the gals are taking a beating! Anyone in NE Ohio want a few free ducks?