New to ducks…

[TanisGirl]

Hello! Have had chickens for the past 4 years. We decided to add some ducklings (uh.muh.gawd!!). We got 2 Cayuga (1m, 1f) -breeding pair. Wondering if we can add Welch Harlequins (1m,1f) next? If I do 2 mating pair, will they stick with their mates or try to interbreed?

 

[citymeetscountry]

Hello! Have had chickens for the past 4 years. We decided to add some ducklings (uh.muh.gawd!!). We got 2 Cayuga (1m, 1f) -breeding pair. Wondering if we can add Welch Harlequins (1m,1f) next? If I do 2 mating pair, will they stick with their mates or try to interbreed?

It’s likely they’ll mate with whoever they want. With that being said depending on who you talk to the recommendation is I believe 4-5 females per male to reduce risk of over mating. Ducks can get aggressive and gang rape or even drown a hen during mating. With that being said we unintentionally ended up with 2 male and 2 female (we got 6 straight run and it was 50/50 but we lost 2 to predators). So far they’ve done ok but there is a preferred female and I know next year will be really telling and we may need to separate.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

If you get pairs, they would have to be kept in separate breeding pens because domestic ducks will mate any duck and can attempt to mate other poultry. The ratio recommended is at least 4:1. Even that's not a given that your mle won't fancy 1 over the others and ovemate her. It really all depends on the flock.