Is my drake killing the female ducks?

[Sambowling]

Hi everyone

I think my drake, who is an Aylesbury mix, has killed 2 of my cayuga hen ducks. They have both been found drowned in the pond.

They were healthy until now. My husband is furious and threatening to shoot him. I hatched him from an egg, so I am worried for him. Could he be responsible. Has anyone else experienced this. Should we separate him from the other 2 remaining girls who are Cherry valleys.

 

[sourland]

Drakes inadvertently killing duck hens by drowning them while trying to breed them happens - especially with large drakes and smaller hens.

 

[Sambowling]

Drakes inadvertently killing duck hens by drowning them while trying to breed them happens - especially with large drakes and smaller hens.

So it could be accidental then? Do they mate all year round, the cayugas were beautiful and I'm so sad and worried about the others.

 

[sourland]

It was surely accidental. Larger drakes trying to mate smaller hens have difficulty making connection and sometimes take too long trying to get the job done. It becomes very common with multiple drakes trying to breed the same hen.

 

[KathiQuacks]

So it could be accidental then? Do they mate all year round, the cayugas were beautiful and I'm so sad and worried about the others.

So sorry for your loss..
Yes, it was almost certainly accidental.
Domestic ducks may mate year round. It depends on the duck.

I’d say to get some larger hens and maybe only have supervised swim time for a while, if you can.