Might have to get rid of one... help in choosing please!?

[Goat_Walker]

OK, well all my ducks but one are rescues.

I originally had a male mallard and a female buff duck.

They are my breeding pair.

Then I rescued my domestic bibbed mallard male.

So I had a problem there, 2 males and a female, but the old guy, my DBM didnt really get in with the mating thanks to his crippled foot.

Well, my mama duck started laying and I had one baby hatch.

I am now certain ( at 3 months old) that it is male.

Well obviously this is a big no no. So I have two options.

1. Get rid of my old male who , although gorgeous, has no appeal when it comes to future duckling.
( anyone close interested? )

2. Separate a male from the flock

Here is my problem. Sure, i could get rid of Monty, my old domestic bibbed mallard, but he is just an old crippled grumpy guy who is typically pretty wild. If I were talking in horse terms id say he was a pasture horse.
Most people want a duck they can play with , and he s more of a Geezer who just needs some place to be with other ducks, which is what he has with me only now i have the male female ratio thing goin on.


But, If I separate my flock of 4, I also have a problem. They are all used to being with each other, and it is such a small flock that I would feel bad separating them.

Here is the hierarchy in my flock :

Roar Runner ( RR ) - Buff female
Monty - ( M ) - Domestic bibbed mallard male
Chuck - ( C ) - Mallard Drake
P.J. - ( PJ ) - Mallard / buff cross drake

PJ stays with RR
RR id like to stay with C so Since she is still laying
C picks on PJ
M and C pick on each other
BUT M and C are otherwise buddies and usually always together.


So im not real sure how to separate them where they wont be alone, but so that My groups stay together.

Getting more females is out of the question right now ( moms orders )
and Im just really confused ( and im sure you are too) . I dont want to get rid of any one but i dont know who to separate and ... well advice is greatly appriciated at the moment, lol.

Thanks in advance!

 

[youdontknow32]

Wow..wish I could help, but I do not know what to tell you...


Good luck

 

[buck-wild-chick]

I say git rid of the old one.But you will prolly have a hard time finding him a "good" home.

 

[Goat_Walker]

Thats my worry. I dont want to give him away only to hae him be abused or end up on a dinner table. He has no problem walking now or eating, but his foot is all messed up and his lower bill is curved under.

 

[eggchel]

Id get rid of the juvenile. The others seem to be getting along fine even though there are not enough females. When spring, and PJ's hormones, arrive there will be trouble in Paradise..... for the poor buff duck.

Chel

 

[Goat_Walker]

Quote:
P.j. Im not even considering getting rid of simply becuase:

1. My first ever hatchling
2. The only one that comes when called as well as likes being handled
3. Besides being my first hatch he turned out to be gorgeous and reminds me alot of my blue swedish ( R.I.P.) \\
4. Being raised in the house, my mom turns to butter before his cuteness,, he is my ultimate playing card for getting females in the spring. (maybe)

 

[eggchel]

Well, he does sound like a nice drake and I can see why you would want to keep him. They might all get along fine. Just keep an eye on them in case you need to separate them.

 

[Goat_Walker]

Do you think I could keep them together till spring? Even though my buff is still laying?