multiple flocks questions

[Duck mommy 2019]

i have two different groups of ducks. one that is an all drake flock, and the other is a mixed flock (two duck hens, and a drake)

so at night they will all be in the same coop and will be able to see each other, but will be separated from touching each other. so i was wondering how i can do their daytime routine. they have a set area to stay in during the day that cannot be divided, and will get to all free range when i can supervise.

any advice will be helpful... the drake flock is staying with a friend for a couple months until we can set up the coop. so they haven’t met yet. please don’t suggest rehoming or killing, they are ALL pets.

 

[Floof]

Could you give more information about the outside area that can't be divided? You really can't put 3 drakes and 1 duck in the same area and have good results.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I don't think it's a good idea. If you insist on keeping extra males and not rehoming your females like you tell other people to, i would just build seperate enclisures for 24/7 housing so they don't see each other

 

[Weeg]

I don't think it's a good idea. If you insist on keeping extra males and not rehoming your females like you tell other people to, i would just build seperate enclisures for 24/7 housing so they don't see each other

I agree. If you let them all see each other, the drake flock might fight each other, and they will be sitting by thence trying to find a way to get to each other. You will need to build two separate, no see enclosures for the best results. I get the keeping all duck thing though, I feel the same way! Good luck!

 

[416bigbore]

I agree. If you let them all see each other, the drake flock might fight each other, and they will be sitting by thence trying to find a way to get to each other. You will need to build two separate, no see enclosures for the best results. I get the keeping all duck thing though, I feel the same way! Good luck!

I agree with having two separate enclosures for this type of most unfortunate situation. If two separate enclosures are not an option and you don't want to take your own advice and correct your Drake to Hen ratio and or rehome one or the other. IMO, there is no solution.

Pets or not, sometimes a person needs to suck it up buttercup and do whats best for everyone involved whether you want to or not, It's called life.

 

[LT71689]

Sorry, you frequently advise other posters of this "just have two flocks" set up you guarantee will work for them...but it's time for you to do it and you're not sure of it either?

You cant let your boys ever see your girls. As others have said here and in other people's threads - they cant reason with themselves that there's a fence in the way and because they don't have access, they shouldnt bother with fighting. Even if they never actually get access to the girls, if they can see them they'll fight for them. Which would be especially bad if they're all locked up in a close-quarters box overnight. They cant see each other in their runs but they DEFINITELY cant spend the night seeing each other in the coop. They need 100% completely separate enclosures where they cannot see one another. Ever.

Given that they never get to meet and spend time with and get to know one another, you definitely also dont want to give them an opportunity to free-range in the same spot. Itll be like introducing them to one another for the very first time - over and over again. Stressful, confusing, difficult. And then your boys start fighting or traumatically mating your girls before you can run out and break it up. And then you separate them to put them away for the night and start the weird introduction cycle all over again the next day?

Its a hell of a lot of work for you and its not kind or easy for them either. You HAVE to divide your outdoor run space (with visual dividers as well) or you have to do something about your ratio. That's it.