Ordering ducks - ratio male to female?

[Butterflygirl50]

Before I make my purchase for ducklings, I want to know how many ducks per drake?
I want to have Welsh Harlequin, Rouen, Khaki Campbell, Black Swedish and Cayuga.
Should I get a female of each and one drake? If so, which breed is best for the drake?
Please help! Thank you.

 

[Pyxis]

Best ratio to have fertile eggs is one drake to three or four ducks. So with five ducks, I'd go with one drake, it should be fine. As for breed, pick whichever you like the best. Of the ones you listed, rouen drakes and welsh harlequin drakes will look most different from the females. WH drakes are very striking, although I'm a bit biased about that since I breed them.

 

[DesertBird]

Like @Pyxis said, I've also heard 1 drake to 4 ducks. I'm not sure if it's the same with chickens, but I know with chickens, they seem to sort themselves into little cliques based on breed, so getting 1 of each might be a bit of an issue, but I have no idea and of course, all animals have their own little personalities. Good luck!

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I am a bit biased as well but I would go with the Khaki drake because he would be the smallest. I wouldn't want to risk a large drake mating with smaller hens. Also, since egg laying ability comes from the drake, any mixed breed, female offspring from the Khaki drake and any of the hens should be prolific egg layers.

 

[Butterflygirl50]

Best ratio to have fertile eggs is one drake to three or four ducks. So with five ducks, I'd go with one drake, it should be fine. As for breed, pick whichever you like the best. Of the ones you listed, rouen drakes and welsh harlequin drakes will look most different from the females. WH drakes are very striking, although I'm a bit biased about that since I breed them.

Thank you. The two I like the best are the Welsh Harlequin and the Khaki Campbell so you guys are with me there lol.

 

[Butterflygirl50]

I am a bit biased as well but I would go with the Khaki drake because he would be the smallest. I wouldn't want to risk a large drake mating with smaller hens. Also, since egg laying ability comes from the drake, any mixed breed, female offspring from the Khaki drake and any of the hens should be prolific egg layers.

Thank you

 

[Niche Flock]

I would suggest 1 male to at least 5 females, helps with keeping the ladies from being overly favored repeatedly. And I agree that the Khaki drake is a great idea, smaller with beautiful coloration. I love both my female khakis and WH's, but the WH's are noticbly larger than Khaki's despite their same weight class. Might be different with drakes. I have only ever had runner drakes.Larger drakes may be a bit more aggressive or unintentionally bulky during mating.
Up to you though, can't go wrong with those beautiful breeds!

 

[Butterflygirl50]

I would suggest 1 male to at least 5 females, helps with keeping the ladies from being overly favored repeatedly. And I agree that the Khaki drake is a great idea, smaller with beautiful coloration. I love both my female khakis and WH's, but the WH's are noticbly larger than Khaki's despite their same weight class. Might be different with drakes. I have only ever had runner drakes.Larger drakes may be a bit more aggressive or unintentionally bulky during mating.
Up to you though, can't go wrong with those beautiful breeds!

That's what I'm going to do. Ordering a a Khaki drake with the females listed in my post. Thank you very much. This place has never let me down.