Is this a drake feather?

[Maddog_photog]

By five weeks hens should be quacking some. Kind of peep, peep quax. If you have only peeps probably drakes.

My best guess is I have one drake and one hen.

 

[Mylied]

I’m awaiting the arrival of two straight run mallards. What do I do re: mating issues if one or, God forbid, BOTH are drakes?

If you end up with a female, you don't want more than one drake in such a small group. They would probably hurt her. If it's all males, they'll just mate each other. So rehome if you get more than 1 male with females or get a bunch more females.

 

[Maddog_photog]

I wouldn't totally give up hope but most likely you have one of each. Drakes aren't bad compared to most male animals. They're quiet and not usually aggressive. They just like to mate a lot.

This is reassuring. Drakes don’t sound like total A-holes like Sea Otters.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Well it depends on the drake. Some are nice gentlemen that understand consent. Some will rape absolutely anything.

 

[Maddog_photog]

If you end up with a female, you don't want more than one drake in such a small group. They would probably hurt her. If it's all males, they'll just mate each other. So rehome if you get more than 1 male with females or get a bunch more females.

Bummer.

 

[Mylied]

Well it depends on the drake. Some are nice gentlemen that understand consent. Some will rape absolutely anything.

I just worded it nicer. Lol. They do like making babies and the hens don't seem to like it as much.

 

[Maddog_photog]

I just worded it nicer. Lol. They do like making babies and the hens don't seem to like it as much.

I’m still kinda bummed. I would have liked to keep a mallard drake. I also don’t want to get rid of Chowder, my suspected Pekin drake. What a pickle.