Male female ratio?

[MidnightRaven888]

So we have a mixed flock of 10 ducks

2 cayugas
1 black swedish
2 white and tan runners
2 crested
1 kahki Campbell
1 magpie (or at least we think he/she is)
1 rouen

The 2 crested, 1 runner, kahki, and rouen are definitely females (the crested and 1 runner were ordered as females so I guess they should be)

The 2 cayuga and the other runner have drake feathers so going out on the limb and assuming they are males. They are also pretty quiet compared to the others.

Still unsure about the magpie and black swedish. I'm assuming the black swedish is a female since it is a little older by a week or 2 than the cayugas and doesn't have drake feathers yet. And well the magpie we've been assuming/hoping it's a female but think we still have another couple weeks to see any drake feathers if so.

Now with all that rambling over and assuming the black swedish and magpie are females, will our male/female ratio be ok and none of the females get hurt from over mating? We are hoping for some cute little babies (specially a cayuga/crested mix lol) but we want everyone to be safe and healthy! Thanks in advance

 

[KathiQuacks]

Assuming you have 3 drakes, 7 hens, I’d say no. That’s the ratio I got with my last batch of ducklings, and it’s not working out at all.

I personally recommend a 1:4 or 1:5 ratio, but a 1:3 may work since they were raised together. Nothing lower.

You should certainly be able to tell sex by now if they’re old enough for drake feathers. The drake feather is the last indicator of sex. Their voices should all be mature.

 

[MidnightRaven888]

Assuming you have 3 drakes, 7 hens, I’d say no. That’s the ratio I got with my last batch of ducklings, and it’s not working out at all.

I personally recommend a 1:4 or 1:5 ratio, but a 1:3 may work since they were raised together. Nothing lower.

You should certainly be able to tell sex by now if they’re old enough for drake feathers. The drake feather is the last indicator of sex. Their voices should all be mature.

I figured as much tysm

 

[TheRealRyanGosling]

So we have a mixed flock of 10 ducks

2 cayugas
1 black swedish
2 white and tan runners
2 crested
1 kahki Campbell
1 magpie (or at least we think he/she is)
1 rouen

I agree with everything KathiQuacks said about ratio. I'd also be a tad hesitant with only 3 hens for 1 drake. But as mentioned maybe since they've been raised as babes up that it could work?

We may be in a similar situation to figure out with multiple coops and runs. I think I have one hen and 4 Drakes. That's not good for nothing! Agh!

As well your flock sounds lovely and full of variety in personality and feather patterns. I'm a softie for crested pekins. I have 2 right now like you. I sure hope them the best health and happiness. They're quite special in my heart it makes me happy when others put time into them too. I'm so jealous of your Cayugas, I couldn't get my hand on any when I got my ducklings. I admire them a lot too for such a regal raven esque look.

Hope you find a happy solution for all. This isn't an easy situation as each birds precious to us, we don't ever want to pick and choose. But it happens so often I'm sure everyone's got a story about embalance or getting what you wanted just not the equipment we maybe hoped for.

 

[KathiQuacks]

I'm a softie for crested pekins.

Say no more

 

[TheRealRyanGosling]

Say no more
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KATHI MY HEART IS EXPLODING!
Look how sweet these fancy doo's are!? Your photos capture so much personality. I hear the Beyonce song "I woke up this way." Fabulous fierce and all the floof.
Thank you for sharing with me! Did your cresteds, as ducklings have the niacin b12 deficiency? One of mine seems to have that and neurological challenges. I believe it's also niacin and b12 because when I am giving her home blends of Purina duck food, a few drops nutridrench, a pinch or tip of a spoon full of this brewer yeast type of supplement with b's and niacin, warm water to soften and stir the mix, a few smooshed peas daily with a drop of nutridrench. And a few offerings daily of chick grit. She perks up a lot. But the other day I was sick and hubby forgot all her mix and she seemed a tad wilty the evening and next day.

Thanks again for the laugh and smile. Cresteds are so unique!

 

[KathiQuacks]

KATHI MY HEART IS EXPLODING!
Look how sweet these fancy doo's are!? Your photos capture so much personality. I hear the Beyonce song "I woke up this way." Fabulous fierce and all the floof.
Thank you for sharing with me! Did your cresteds, as ducklings have the niacin b12 deficiency? One of mine seems to have that and neurological challenges. I believe it's also niacin and b12 because when I am giving her home blends of Purina duck food, a few drops nutridrench, a pinch or tip of a spoon full of this brewer yeast type of supplement with b's and niacin, warm water to soften and stir the mix, a few smooshed peas daily with a drop of nutridrench. And a few offerings daily of chick grit. She perks up a lot. But the other day I was sick and hubby forgot all her mix and she seemed a tad wilty the evening and next day.

Thanks again for the laugh and smile. Cresteds are so unique!

Oh, I just have the one Crested Pekin. I took a 2nd photo so you could see the poof in all its glory

I can’t quite answer, as I didn’t have this boy as a duckling. I inherited him as an adult about 3 years ago (he’ll be 6.5 years old soon).

I have heard that Pekins usually need extra niacin, even as adults, but thankfully, I haven’t had that problem. He’s had some children, and they’ve been fine as adults, too. I did give them nutritional yeast as a “just in case” when they were ducklings, but now they just eat Purina for the most part.

His eye coordination isn’t the best, but otherwise he’s alright neurologically. I got quite lucky with this boy.

I’m glad you’ve found a good food blend that helps your girl Brewers yeast, nutridrench, and peas are all great for their legs and for perking up, yes!