Muscovy ducks, What is a good male/ female ratio to keep?

[Miss Lydia]

thanks I just looked at her website she only sells ducklings though I need a full grown female

Maybe Craigslist or here on BYC we have a re homing thread and also a Buy Sell Trade thread too.

 

[kountryboy4life]

I think it will work out good, i acquired them from three different people . funny how you mention seeing them form little flocks within the flock.. they stayed buddies with whoever they came here with.. three groups of girls. so hopefully, each male will have his own flock of ladies.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think it will work out good, i acquired them from three different people . funny how you mention seeing them form little flocks within the flock.. they stayed buddies with whoever they came here with.. three groups of girls. so hopefully, each male will have his own flock of ladies.

I call them clans, each drake has his own but if one of the other drakes girls is on her own watch out that girl will get run down by another drake for sure.

 

[sarahr0612]

I have 6 females and 3 males .I have 4 younger girls but they aren't with the older ducks yet. I wasn't sure if my 6 females was enough but I lucked out and it's fine. I have one drake who is pretty laid back , one who just doesn't mate a lot , and one who is a total horn dog. I couldn't get rid of them because the three 3 drakes were my first ducks to own. They all sleep and eat and swim together just fine.with 2 drakes,just depends on the ducks

 

[Going Quackers]

I think it will work out good, i acquired them from three different people . funny how you mention seeing them form little flocks within the flock.. they stayed buddies with whoever they came here with.. three groups of girls. so hopefully, each male will have his own flock of ladies.

They definitely break off into sub flocks, partly likely why i can keep so many drakes, some groups don't really associate.

 

[Going Quackers]

. But I've been breeding muscovy for almost 7 years and never once had an issue with fighting

I find that interesting, as i have found completely the opposite and no, i don't have strains of aggressive boys lol my girls will duke it out lol In my experience have found they have quite a firm pecking order, and they ensure that remains in tact, i have also found my current boys to be highly protective of the bond they built with their buffy nest mates(so to speak) they were even "protecting" them from the elements the other day, essentially covering them.

That said i generally run a good amount together, they all free range and only partially break down for housing, so dynamics of set-ups likely play a role.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have 6 females and 3 males .I have 4 younger girls but they aren't with the older ducks yet. I wasn't sure if my 6 females was enough but I lucked out and it's fine. I have one drake who is pretty laid back , one who just doesn't mate a lot , and one who is a total horn dog. I couldn't get rid of them because the three 3 drakes were my first ducks to own. They all sleep and eat and swim together just fine.with 2 drakes,just depends on the ducks

That's why it's so important to do what is best for our own flock, we can get all the great info but watching how out flock acts and how it works is whats best for us. Your ratio will be a good one especially when the 4 younger are put in the mix.

 

[sarahr0612]

thanks I think so too. I don't know how I ended up with 3 drakes to begin with lol. we were new to ducks and when they got big they started fighting, and then we noticed the tailfeathers all curved, so we hurried to get them some lady friends.

 

[learycow]

I find that interesting, as i have found completely the opposite and no, i don't have strains of aggressive boys lol my girls will duke it out lol In my experience have foubd they have quite a firm pecking order, and they ensure that remains in tact, i have also found my current boys to be highly protective of the bond they built with their buffy nest mates(so to speak) they were even "protecting" them from the elements the other day, essentially covering them.

That said i generally run a good amount together, they all free range and only partially break down for housing, so dynamics of set-ups likely play a role.

It is odd. I've heard all kinds of horror stories from muscovy people about their drakes and hens fighting to the death, or at least until someone gets hurt. And in my years of owning and breeding them, I've never had that happen.
Even when I get new ones and put them out to free range with my flock, there's usually the "head-bobbing, tail-wagging, hiss dance", maybe a little pecking and squacking while they determine who is boss, then they are fine. I've never had it get bad or had it drag out for more than a few hours.

But I also only use mellow drakes for breeding. I have never had one come at me or other ducks, but I know that the can get aggressive. I make sure all of mine get used to hand feeding at the very least. I currently have 4 full grown breeding drakes in with about 8 full grown hens. There are at least 5 different "groups" of them but they all get along and free range together and coop together at night

 

[Going Quackers]

It is odd. I've heard all kinds of horror stories from muscovy people about their drakes and hens fighting to the death, or at least until someone gets hurt. And in my years of owning and breeding them, I've never had that happen.
Even when I get new ones and put them out to free range with my flock, there's usually the "head-bobbing, tail-wagging, hiss dance", maybe a little pecking and squacking while they determine who is boss, then they are fine. I've never had it get bad or had it drag out for more than a few hours.

But I also only use mellow drakes for breeding. I have never had one come at me or other ducks, but I know that the can get aggressive. I make sure all of mine get used to hand feeding at the very least. I currently have 4 full grown breeding drakes in with about 8 full grown hens. There are at least 5 different "groups" of them but they all get along and free range together and coop together at night

Nobody fights to the death but my boys love to go at it, it's mainly over pecking orders.. i have some females who have pretty strong personalities too. My drakes are all capable of being handled, i treat them where i can pick them up but i am not super pet quality with them either, i feel a strong distinct line has to be drawn, they must know their place. I am top drake here, that is not negotiable.

Most of mine have been loose as of late overnight, because of the frigid temps, i opened up stalls and they have sorted themselves out.. 15 are in that barn, 5 are drakes.. two mature. The rest house in a smaller coop.