My Drakes Won't Play Nice

[Tannerpauldean]

Do you have room for each drake to have several hens?

I do have the room. I have the capacity in my run for about 20 ducks.

 

[CayugaJana]

I do have the room. I have the capacity in my run for about 20 ducks.

Another idea if you really want to keep the boys is temporarily pinning one up separately. Then when you can find girlfriends, letting them back together.

 

[Tannerpauldean]

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Another idea if you really want to keep the boys is temporarily pinning one up separately. Then when you can find girlfriends, letting them back together.

That's a great idea. I can do that by just running a roll of chicken wire down the middle. I can even alternate which one has access to the female to give me an idea of which would be better with her, if I ultimately have to get rid of one.

 

[StlCayugas]

I too am having issues with my male ducks fighting. I have four males and they were all bought at the same time six months ago. I thought if they grew up together they would more likely get along. I also didn’t want the hassle of dealing with eggs but now wish I would have gotten at least one female.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Drakes coming into their hormones have way too much testosterone and fighting is just what they do.
If you don't have females it isn't suppose to be as bad, but they are still going to pick on the weakest less dominant just the way they are.

You could get females but it would have to be at least 3 and up for each drake or rehome the more dominant of your 4 and keep a few.

 

[PirateGirl]

That's a very good point. I need to start watching to see how they treat her. I will also consider how the Drake will treat potential ducklings, as I have heard they can be quite vicious to little ones.

Perhaps you can separate out one for a week (or even a few days) and see if the two left together get along ok or if the female gets bullied. Then you can try it with the other drake. It might be obvious quickly which one is best with your girl. Even if the separate drake needs to live in a dog kennel or something for a few days it won't kill him while you sort out who stays and who goes.

 

[PirateGirl]

Metzer sells sexed runners as well. I was going to order a few if I couldn't find some ducks locally. Their shipping minimum is only 2-3 ducklings.

 

[Tannerpauldean]

I feel an update is needed. I separated the 2 drakes and alternated their presence with the duck to see which behaved better. By far - she preferred being with the dominant drake. I have since culled the lesser drake and aquired 4 more ducks (by an amazing stroke of luck, somebody down the road was getting rid of some). I now have a peaceful flock of 6. Thank you, everybody, for your help with this one. I didn't know what to do, and I am sure glad I asked.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am so happy for you it all got worked out and the ducks. Please post some pics when you have time.

 

[Tannerpauldean]

Quite the motley crew I have now...

Starting from the left:
Basil (dominant drake), Wanda (original female), Barbara, Otis (a drake, but seems to get along), Winnifred, and Agnes.