My drake is mating with my chicken hen

[lexiredhead]

I think they have a curly tail

 

[jtn42248]

Oops just told my hubby about the drake issue here and he said he saw several of our trying to mate the hens. So it's going to be time to weed out the ducks And we did have 2 hens die for no real reason recently. Humm how do y tell if it's a male duck other than catching them in the act. ?

Male ducks (drakes) will develop what is called a drake feather when they mature. It is a feather that curls up on their tail. Also, most male ducks will have a voice change. While the females will sound like the Aflac duck the male will develop a more raspy almost chirping sort of quack.

 

[Peeps61]

All great advice, but don't get a rooster unless you really want one and are willing to deal with rooster issues if they arise. A hen does not need a rooster to stay happy, but the roosters do need the hens to be happy (all those male hormones!) I think the same applies to ducks. You should keep them separate, though. The drakes have already learned they can mate the hens, so it's doubtful that will stop, even with female ducks around.

 

[jtn42248]

lexiredhead I just went back over this thread and reread it. My suggestion to you would be to just stop where you are and think for a minute. There are certain givens about poultry ownership/companionship that you need to make sure you are very clear on:

1. With rare exception you do not need male birds in order for the females to produce eggs
2. Bird ownership is a committment that extends out to as many as 20+ years or to when you butcher and eat the bird
3. Having and maintaining a mixed flock of birds is NOT the same a keeping backyard chickens
4. ALWAYS do your research BEFORE you get the birds

Now...you obviously have chickens (hens) and ducks (drakes) that are mating with your hens which is a problem and VERY dangerous to your hens. You have hinted at getting roosters and/or geese as a solution. NEITHER of those are an appropriate solution and will only compound your problems.

The solution to your problem is:

First choice: create a seperate place for your ducks. if all you have are drakes (because they are prettier than females?) that is all fine and good. But they need to be kept away from your hens (chickens). Having a large coop where they are kept together is not a solution unless they are kept in seperate pens within that coop.

Second choice: if you are wanting duck eggs you must have a minimum of 4 females to each male duck and even then the males will fight..sometimes violently..and perhaps seriously injure each other to the point of death. So, either have only the males (they may fight some but less than if there are females) or cull one drake, keep one and get females for him. AND move them away from your chickens.

Third choice: (and perhaps an appropriate one for you at this point in time) get rid of the ducks all together and just have the chickens. You will have the pleasure of raising fowl and the eggs they give you without the problems of cross species management.

What ever you do, please consider the birds in this situation. They deserve a happy, healthy and safe life. If you are not able to guarantee that please consider your reasons for wanting them.

 

[lexiredhead]

Thank you so much!! I seperated the chickens from the ducks and got 8 females!! Thank you so much!

 

[lexiredhead]

Should I buy ducklings or grown adults

 

[lexiredhead]

So this is what I am/have done/doing separated the ducks and the chickens, I am buying 8 ducklings, raise them in the garage, release them outside with ducks, and i am keeping them separated

 

[jtn42248]

So this is what I am/have done/doing separated the ducks and the chickens, I am buying 8 ducklings, raise them in the garage, release them outside with ducks, and i am keeping them separated

If you have not done so already try to get ducks that are the same size physically as your drakes. Introduce them slowly, don't just "dump" them in. If you do get ducklings, have you ever brooded ducklings before? If not, let us know and we will all be happy to assist with suggestions that have worked for us. Good luck.

 

[lexiredhead]

No, this is the first time with ducklings

 

[lexiredhead]

Thank you all so much!!