Mating age and separation anxiety

[Keikuri]

I got 6 Blue Indian Runners who’re about 12.5weeks old. And today i finally got confirmation of 1 girl to 5 boys. I also have 18 other ducks who’re only about 5.5weeks. Both groups live in separate coops and are separated by fence in the yard so the Runners dont beat them up.

So my first question is about how many weeks do you think it’ll be before the Runner boys start getting overly interested in the girl? I plan on moving her in with the others to keep her safe, just wondering how much longer she gets to pal around with her boys.

Second question, what can i do to make this transition easier for them? They’re all gonna freak when they get separated, especially her. Anything i can do to help her adjust?

Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Runner were mating at 4 months old.

 

[Duckworth]

With that ratio, things could go very badly very quickly. I would consider setting up a look-don’t touch situation, such as a large wire dog crate, for your female runner in the coop/run with the younger ducklings for part of each day to start the transition so that they can all get used to having her in their midst. The size difference will lessen as the ducklings grow. Starting the transition now should make it easier to make a timely move when your drakes show signs of sexual maturity. I have an all female flock, but have used this kind of setup when we have added ducks or had one that needed extra protection for a time before being integrated into the flock.

 

[chickens really]

Generally nothing really happens till the next breeding season as far as aggressive breeding and high hormones in Drakes. They will play hop on top but not with much vigour.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I've got 3 separate areas outside for my ducks out of necessity. One big area for the 6 girls, one for the drake who can't seem to control his "urges" and the last for the 4 little ones.

I've got 4 babies that are almost 5 weeks old and they stay in a dog pen enclosure that I'm actually very pleased with. I got 2 of these at walmart.com. They can be moved easily and configured any way I want them too. I take carabiners and hook them to the existing pen fence which actually makes the area as big as I want it to be for them. Or, you could just get another piece of fence and make an area.

The big girls go directly out from their pen in the morning into the outside run which is a good size and goes all the way around behind the trees, the babies march out to their area and get shut in and then the drake I have to pick up out of the pen and put in him his area which is around the babies. Everyone can see everyone and so far so good. Yes, It would be so much easier if the drake would act right but it is what it is right now.

This could be a good temporary solution for you but I think you're probably going to have to rehome some of those drakes!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Maybe for calls and Muscovy’s but my Runners were vigorously mating at 4 months old and that was 1 drake to 6 females.

 

[Jpat]

My drake drowned my pekin hen yesterday morning. 1 drake and 2 hens

 

[katiebrock]

My drake drowned my pekin hen yesterday morning. 1 drake and 2 hens

Oh no

 

[chickens really]

Possibly a Duck sandwich caused her death?

 

[Keikuri]

Maybe for calls and Muscovy’s but my Runners were vigorously mating at 4 months old and that was 1 drake to 6 females.

That’s exactly what i’m worried about. Just 1 boy being too much for multiple girls. I keep reading conflicting info about their hormones being 24/7 vs breeding season only that i dont want to risk anything with her. Next time i’m just gonna order sexed Runners rather than taking my chances on a mixed lot in a feed store.

Thanks for the info!