Needing help with figuring out ratio

[elmoflim]

I have one mallard drake and two black Indian runner drakes and two mallard hens and two runner hens. I’m hoping to buy some more hens, but I’m not sure how many to buy would six more hens be ok? That would make it a ratio of 3:10 I’m new to ducks so I’m very nervous from reading all the horror stories of drakes fighting and overmating hens

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I think it depends greatly upon the individual duck personalities and the size of the yard. 1:3 M/F is what I try to aim for. Right now we have essentially 1:2 M/F and it’s working out okay at the moment. I’m trying to find more female magpie to add, and hopefully a couple more buff too. I suspect it wouldn’t work at all if the area they were in was smaller so they were all closer together.

 

[gilbert2]

I agree with TSOWOATNKC--I have a ratio of 5:1 at the moment. It is working well, since this tiny flock has been together since hatching. They all seem to love each other, and still sleep in a compressed pile. They're still quite young--no feathers yet, but the wing tips are just beginning to get feathers.
Even when I had a couple of drakes (with four hens) it worked well. I just think that a majority of females should be used, and everything will be OK.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I've read many times that the recommended ratio is 3 ducks to 1 drake. But as stated above a lot just depends on the personality of your drakes. Even with plenty of girls to go around sometimes the drakes seem to get in competition with each other and you still have a problem. Or sometimes you'll have a duck that becomes the favorite and still gets over mated. My opinion is this. . have as many ducks (girls) as you can have but still be prepared to separate or re home drakes should trouble arise. Watch your girls for signs of distress from over mating even if you have plenty.
I have also observed this year how breeding season can make a drake insane. I have a call drake that was a perfect gentleman last year. . this spring he turned rotten. He spent the majority of the summer in drake jail. Now he is in eclipse plumage and back with the flock and doesn't bother a soul. So Their behavior can change with the seasons drastically.

 

[chickens really]

Bottom line is during breeding season Drakes fight and will over breed or pick on one Hen. Separate breeding pens are needed. I have separate pens for my breeding flocks..

 

[chickens really]

Also Hens pick a Drake and won't submit to others.