Help please! Drake and Pecking order q's...

[melodylee]

Is it possible for a drake to kill a duck when mating her? I know the drake gets a little over zealous but... is it possible? also about pecking order is their anyway to get the girls to quit with the dominance "mating" over each other? I thought getting rid of some drakes would fix my problem.... but the other hens just took their place? it's been a month since I got rid of the extra drakes...only have one left and six ducks... how long til they sort it all out?!?

 

[1lpoock]

They are always going to be fighting over the top hen, if they aren't doing any damage to each other, why worry? Also, a drake can kill a hen when mating, especially if they are on water, he can drown her.

 

[truecolorsloft]

Quote:
I second that. When we had Pekins we seperated one of our drakes, because there were too many drakes to ducks. I was always told to keep the ratios like you would chickens. one male per 4-6 hens

 

[scramblingmyeggs]

My drake is chases one duck around the most... he has pulled out feathers on her back which sometimes actually bleeds!

Should I keep her separate?

 

[melodylee]

Quote:
I second that. When we had Pekins we seperated one of our drakes, because there were too many drakes to ducks. I was always told to keep the ratios like you would chickens. one male per 4-6 hens

the drowning thing is my conceren, all the hens pick on the same hen.... I thought they might settle down, like the chickens do I never see them fight over who's the top hen... guess I just have well behaved ladies.....
scramblingmyeggs, i would seperate if she has wounds or bleeding til she is healed up.