Pekins: a pair or trio? Sexes? Many other questions and need advice and guidance

[cajun41887]

Long story short, we were all set to have Welsh Harlequin ducks, but we live in Florida and everything except Pekins require a wildlife permit, so we’re getting Pekins.

I’m wanting to order ASAP, but don’t know if I should get a pair (male and female) (female and female) or a trio (male and 2 females or all females). From everything I’m reading, says 1 drake to 5 hens, but then I’m seeing tons of people doing pairs or trios.

I don’t want to start out with 6 ducks out of the gate as we may want to raise ducklings from them and if I have a ton to start with, I’ve limited myself already. But then I’m reading they likely won’t brood their own (but have seen plenty where people have successfully brooded with their ducks) so I’d like to leave the option available. We want eggs and will not be eating our ducks.

I know we need a Drake in order to have ducklings, but could a Drake be acquired later or would he not be accepted by the girls say a year down the road?

Full disclosure I have Muscovies as I acquired them not knowing I needed a permit so I have a Muscovy Drake and 2 Muscovy hens. Is it best not to get a Pekin Drake at all as they may fight? They will be housed separately, but will share a fenced grassy area which both hoop coops will open up to during the day and we plan to free range some as well under supervision so our chickens don’t get bothered by the ducks.
(Will the Drake’s leave the chicken hens alone if I have roosters? I know a chicken should not have relations with a duck due to the Drake having an actual penis and that the Drake could actually kill a chicken)

Maybe 3 Pekin girls is the way to go and the Muscovy Drake could potentially fertilize some eggs? (I know fertility would not be good and the resulting ducklings would be sterile)

Anyone have thoughts or experience or advice they can offer?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I am not sure how broody pekins are, but muscovies are a broody bunch. So, if wanting to expand via ducklings- muscovies are good for that.
If you get pekins and the muscovy drake breeds with them, you will get ducklings that will not be able to reproduce which is a good form of ducky birth control.
Since you already have the muscovies, I favor them as they are pretty hardy ducks. Of course mine are almost 10 weeks old, so I don't have experience, just a lot of reading and research.
Pekins grow pretty fast and tend to have leg issues which most are corrected with supplemental niacin. I have read that pekins are more friendly and might be cuddlers (whereas my muscovies are not and that is fine by me).
Why order? Why not find a reputable breeder close by? It is just less stress on the ducklings if they don't have to be shipped.
It sounds like you don't want a lot of ducks right now, so why not just settle on the muscovies you have and see how they workout?
With as small of a flock as you want, I would not get another drake if avoidable.

 

[cajun41887]

I am not sure how broody pekins are, but muscovies are a broody bunch. So, if wanting to expand via ducklings- muscovies are good for that.
If you get pekins and the muscovy drake breeds with them, you will get ducklings that will not be able to reproduce which is a good form of ducky birth control.
Since you already have the muscovies, I favor them as they are pretty hardy ducks. Of course mine are almost 10 weeks old, so I don't have experience, just a lot of reading and research.
Pekins grow pretty fast and tend to have leg issues which most are corrected with supplemental niacin. I have read that pekins are more friendly and might be cuddlers (whereas my muscovies are not and that is fine by me).
Why order? Why not find a reputable breeder close by? It is just less stress on the ducklings if they don't have to be shipped.
It sounds like you don't want a lot of ducks right now, so why not just settle on the muscovies you have and see how they workout?
With as small of a flock as you want, I would not get another drake if avoidable.

Since the babies will be Mule ducks and be sterile will they still lay eggs if female?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Since the babies will be Mule ducks and be sterile will they still lay eggs if female?

Yes. Like any female duck - unless something is wrong reproductively.

 

[llombardo]

I have a female pekin, a female khaki and a male khaki. The pekin is the friendliest, but very very vocal. I'm not sure if this a female pekin trait or just mine? She lets you know when the food is gone, she lets you know the water is dirty, she even lets me know when someone is walking by. I have 7 dogs, my neighbor was putting down the mulch and he said not one peep out of the dogs but boy was she quacking away. I think I have a guard duck....