New duck owner needing help

[sandcat]

Hi there everyone what a wonderful forum to find!!! Im in new Zealand, I had 4 ducks and 1 drake and made the terrible mistake of breaking up the flock as I only wanted 2 ducks(big big big mistake that i deeply regret now!!) I gave 2 ducks and a drake away and had 2 ducks left. One of the ducks left 1 week ago and the next day the last remaining duck left too, they both returned on monday with a wild drake, who is a very unattractive boy..... I got another drake off my friend yesterday so both the ducks can have a mate but the 3 ducks have scared away the new drake, he came home this morning but didnt get close enough and left again, what are my chances of him staying? I hope all this makes sense, its a bit jumbled, I just want a happy little flock (like I had before I gave my ducks away)

Thanks Catherine

 

[KansasKid]

So if im understanding you have 2 hens, a domestic drake, and a wild drake hanging around your others. It might be for the best that he leaves and finds his own mate. Domestic ducks tend to flock rather than pair up. So having two drakes and two hens might be a bad ratio and could end up badly for your hens if overbreeding occurs. What breed of ducks do you have?

Besides i would be a little leery about a wild duck hangin with my domestics
if he looks shabby, no tellin if he is carrying something (disease)

 

[tomingreeneco]

Too many drakes. You should have one drake for every 3 ducks or more. We have one drake for four ducks and this works out just fine.

 

[ejctm]

If you can catch them, I suggest you clip their wings to stop them flying off again as a start. Perhaps you can then exclude the wild drake for a few days by keeping the ducks inside a pen and he will hopefully lose interest. Or catch him too and relocate him a few miles away. Hopefully he will not find his way back to your place! Then your trio can bond as a flock and won't be able to fly off.

Just some suggestions!

 

[sandcat]

Thanks for the replies, I have 2 females and have just got a new drake that has run off, they are mallards, he did come back today but flew off again. Im quietly confident that he will come back....how do i get rid of the wild drake? He is not very nice, quite aggressive to both the ducks, but my gals did go and find him after i got rid of the other ducks(1 male and 2x females) thanks again for the replies

 

[sandcat]

My lovely new drake is now with the flock but they still a bit unsure of him but he not leaving which is good!!! Any ideas on how to get rid of the old wild drake. he is just so awful to the others, really nasty. I dont like him one bit. Thanks Catherine