Our duck is mounting our chicken

[TheAmundsons]

That’s right...our duck is mounting our chicken. We witnessed it after work today when we went to let them out to free range, as we do everyday. We have read that this can be harmful, even deadly, to the chicken. Is this true? What can we do to prevent him from mounting the hens? We have 3 ducks, one female khaki Campbell and two drake Pekins, which we know is part of the issue. We just got the second Pekin from a friend, as he was the only survivor of a fox. We know they need more ladies to mate with, but we aren’t sure if we’ll be able to get more, if we do, they’ll be ducklings. We have one rooster, and 9 pullets as well. Any suggestions on what to do?

 

[A.M. Eggs]

Separate the ducks from the chickens. They won't like it but it will help. you can also find some females that are around the same age as your ducks and integrate them with your current ducks.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

That’s right...our duck is mounting our chicken. We witnessed it after work today when we went to let them out to free range, as we do everyday. We have read that this can be harmful, even deadly, to the chicken. Is this true? What can we do to prevent him from mounting the hens? We have 3 ducks, one female khaki Campbell and two drake Pekins, which we know is part of the issue. We just got the second Pekin from a friend, as he was the only survivor of a fox. We know they need more ladies to mate with, but we aren’t sure if we’ll be able to get more, if we do, they’ll be ducklings. We have one rooster, and 9 pullets as well. Any suggestions on what to do?

Separate your ducks from your chickens or Sell the drake.
You cannot change a birds behavior. This is an example of why ducklings and chicks should not be raised together.

If you were to let the drake get away with it, you ‘may’ come home to a dead chicken.

 

[NoFlyBackFarm]

Seperate them and get ducks the same age to integrate

Separate the ducks from the chickens. They won't like it but it will help. you can also find some females that are around the same age as your ducks and integrate them with your current ducks.

 

[llombardo]

Seperate them. One of the girls got into the duck own and the first thing the male khaki did was try to mate. I grabbed her quick. They all like each other and visit thru the fence. I have even supervised visits to each other's pens, but never out of my sight.

 

[TheAmundsons]

Okay, we had read somewhere that the mounting (of chickens) occurs only during the duck's mating season. Is this true? If so, could we just have them separated during mating season, or should they be separated all the time? I'm afraid that we don't currently have the capabilities to permanently separate so we'd have to get rid of them, and that would break my husband's heart, as he's the one that got them. But whatever's best for the birds must be done.

 

[CayugaJana]

You will just have to try it and see. Keep them separated then watch them together on the weekends while you can supervise.

 

[llombardo]

If I remember right, I don't believe there is a specefic mating season for domesticated ducks like in the wild.

Do you have a run for them or what is the set up?

I have a 20x25 run divided in half. I have 3 ducks too. You might be able to get away with them sleeping together in a coop if the chicken roosts or you can block a 3x3(at least)area in the coop to contain the ducks at night--so there are no accidents waiting to happen. If you don't have a run, maybe a dog run for the ducks during the day?

 

[chickens really]

I would definitely get rid of the one Drake and separate the Ducks into a pen of their own.
Domestic Ducks do have a breeding season and it lasts a few months..Drakes fight and over breed Hens. Not a good situation for the Chickens.

 

[llombardo]

What is the breeding season for domesticated ducks? April through Oct-Nov?