How far do drakes need to be separated from ducks?

[TheOldDairySmallholding]

Hello!

We recently got 6 "female" week-old ducks, 3 runners, 3 khaki campbells. I had a suspicion that at least 1 of the campbells were actually drakes, but now at 12 weeks it's obvious they are all drakes (green wing tips and head feathers starting to come through), and potentially one of the runners are too (all 3 runners have wildly different sounding voices, one is 100% a duck, another's voice keeps "breaking", and the other doesn't seem to make any noise at all).

We're really not keen on the idea of dispatching them so are rethinking our poultry set up. We're hopeful that they're young enough that it won't be an immediate problem but know the ratios are very off. We're hopeful of getting more females in the future, but now are incredibly worried about where to purchase so we aren't lied to again.

Long story short, how far away should the drakes be from the ducks to keep them from getting stressed in the mating season?

TYIA! Picture of one of the imposters for cuteness.

 

[sourland]

Realistically in my experience, distance from ducks is not the major factor in impacting drake behavior. Their hormone level during the breeding season is so high that aggressive behavior is the norm. Some have luck with all drake flocks. Others pen the drakes in separate enclosures.

 

[ruthhope]

Realistically in my experience, distance from ducks is not the major factor in impacting drake behavior. Their hormone level during the breeding season is so high that aggressive behavior is the norm. Some have luck with all drake flocks. Others pen the drakes in separate enclosures.

I have a drake flock and they are fine. Pecking order behavior between them, but they all stick together while free ranging in the back yard. I got another this year (now 11+weeks) who was see no touch from 8 weeks and still sleeping separately in a dog crate inside the duck house, but out free ranging with them during the day. He is delightful doing his best to make friends but being largely ignore by the other boys. He just hangs around on the periphery of the group and all are happy

Hello!

We recently got 6 "female" week-old ducks, 3 runners, 3 khaki campbells. I had a suspicion that at least 1 of the campbells were actually drakes, but now at 12 weeks it's obvious they are all drakes (green wing tips and head feathers starting to come through), and potentially one of the runners are too (all 3 runners have wildly different sounding voices, one is 100% a duck, another's voice keeps "breaking", and the other doesn't seem to make any noise at all).

We're really not keen on the idea of dispatching them so are rethinking our poultry set up. We're hopeful that they're young enough that it won't be an immediate problem but know the ratios are very off. We're hopeful of getting more females in the future, but now are incredibly worried about where to purchase so we aren't lied to again.

Long story short, how far away should the drakes be from the ducks to keep them from getting stressed in the mating season?

TYIA! Picture of one of the imposters for cuteness.

As your drakes arent "sexually experienced", they can be see no touch. That is, fenced off from females, but not out of sight. However, if any of the boys can fly, you would have to clip their wings. Should you get muscovy boys that can jump and climb, you might have a problem!! I have 3 muscovy drakes and 3 pekins. They are in separate compartments in the duck house at night. One has to be in the front compartment as he always gets out overnight if confined to the back. Another stays happily in the back until I open the door in the morning then insists on climbing up onto the top of the 3 ft partition !!

I don't currently have any females as mine are rescues and I have been able to rehome the females. I have to keep rescued ducklings see no touch no matter what sex