New duck owner questions Help!

[rabiee]

I love ducklings, they are so cute! If you do decide to adopt them out make sure you let them go in pairs, ducks need a friend to bond with or they get very lonely. Good luck!

 

[jessicamelton]

Ouch! That's a heck of a heat wave!

Yes it’s pretty miserable outside

 

[TyKyra Lancaster]

The more females you have per drake the happier he'll be, and the less the other females will be mated. I'd say a ratio of 8-10 hens per rooster. I've never owned Muscovys, but I've read drakes can service 8-15 females.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

The more females you have per drake the happier he'll be, and the less the other females will be mated. I'd say a ratio of 8-10 hens per rooster. I've never owned Muscovys, but I've read drakes can service 8-15 females.

Just wondering where can I find this info as it is actually the first time that I've heard about the drake to hen ratio you mentioned? Thanks.

 

[TyKyra Lancaster]

Do ducks need a mate?-raising ducks
The link under the blurb

Planning the flock-raising ducks
First

 

[TyKyra Lancaster]

Https://www.raising-ducks.com

www.raising-ducks.com>planning-flock

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Https://www.raising-ducks.com

www.raising-ducks.com>planning-flock

That is a blog which someone gathers ideas from others to write about. Technically it is saying one drake can take care of 7-10 ducks - not that that is the minimum ratio. Plus, what you stated above in your post is different than what the blog is stating.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have 4 females to my Muscovy drake and it has worked out great none over mated.
My Runner drake has 6 females in his harem. Same thing none over mated.

So depends on the drake start out with min of 3-4 females and then add if you notice your females getting over mated. Actually having had many Muscovy drakes over the years I have never had one get visious or crazy with his mating. Maybe a few feathers missing on the neck where he holds on when mating. But nothing like I have read about some of the other drake breeds. Thank goodness.

So what if one person says they need 7-10 females per drake, it's not necessary when starting a flock up but always keep in mind you may have to bring in more females.

 

[Susan12]

Keep asmany as you can afford to feed.muscovies are excellent foragers.