Mating

[Devcat15]

I ended up rescuing a pair of rouens and one of them turned out to be a Drake. My question is related to the fact that I have female welsh harlequins and they are smaller than the rouens. Will this be an issue when they mate? My plan was to only have hens and this wouldn’t have been an issue. The male Rouen is only 12 weeks right now and he seems very sweet but I’m concerned for my smaller girls. Thanks!

 

[happy duck]

Hi!!!! Welcome to BYC!!!!! I have a pekin and buff ducks. The pekin is bigger then the girls(he is a male) and I have thought about this often. I really don't know much about this as I have been wondering this too!!!! I will be watching this thread to see what other people say. I mean...if you give them water to do it in it would be safer on the female, but that is about all I know!!! Good luck!

 

[Lil Drake40]

I have. Muscovy drake weighs around 12 lbs his Muscovy females weigh 5-6. So I believe your girls will be fine it is best they mate in water so if you can provide a kiddy pool that would be great

 

[happy duck]

Thinking about it all male ducks are larger then females(most of the time). So there really is nothing we can do, but give them a kiddie pool or pond do there stuff in and they will be fine.

 

[Michael P]

Probably more important is the ratio of males to females. Do you have only one drake, the Rouen? How many females do you have?

 

[Devcat15]

I was supposed to have 7 females for the one drake but we lost a female last week and one of the girls turned out to be a drake. So now I’m left with 5 females and 2 males. Not the best combination. I’m looking to either add more females or get rid of one of the drakes. Problem is they’re both super sweet. I’m hoping they’ll be ok but I’m not exactly optimistic with that ratio