Pet Duck Mating and Don't Know What To Do

[mive16211]

Hi-
So I have 3 ducks 1 female, and 2 males, that were born around May 4th, 2016. I've been having a problem with my female for about a month now with hormonal issues, and we're working through that. But recently I have noticed that whenever there is a puddle or an open body of water, one of my males starts communicating to my female that he wants to mate, and she more times than not will get flat willingly and let him mate with her. My other male seems to care less to mate until the other two start mating then he wants to get involved. Now saying that up until today, it hasn't been a full-on mating, it's been more "practicing" like instinct is taking over but they aren't really sure what to do. Today however I was cleaning the area they live in, and there was a puddle and my male started communicating to my female to mate, and she accepted, and this time when I went to separate them I saw his penis. Now I'm telling you this because I have yet to see her lay any eggs, but if and when she does I don't have the right equipment to have ducklings. I try my best to make sure there is no open water for them and separate them when they do start to mate because again I can't have ducklings right now . So my question is, should I be worried about her laying eggs that are fertilized, or is she too young for that? If I should be worried, what do you suggest I do, to try my best not to have ducklings on my hands till I have the right equipment? Sorry if this was all a little too much detail, I just wanted to add what I know and saw so that I could get the best answer possible to my problem. So, if you have an answer for me, that you think could help, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[QueenMisha]

It's likely that her eggs will be fertile when she begins to lay them. However getting ducklings is unlikely and easy to prevent. In order for an egg to develop and hatch it must be incubated for 28-30 days, either in an incubator or under a hen. For a hen to wish to hatch eggs, she must be broody. Some ducks will never or only rarely brood, as certain breeds have had broodiness bred out of them. Beyond that, even broody hens can only incubate eggs if you let them - you'd have to forget to collect eggs for a full month for any ducklings to result!

 

[chickens really]

Step back and take a breath....Relax...It is not as bad as you made it sound...Ducks breed, and Drakes have a penis...Wow...I understand your shock to see all that happening....Anyways....Nature....Get Rid of the one Drake ASAP...Sorry, pick one.
They will fight over her and mate her too no end....Get two more hens....Always a better equation...Three hens too one Drake...


Cheers...

 

[mive16211]

So I shouldn't worry as much about having ducklings even though her eggs might be fertile? And when should I expect to seeher start laying eggs?

 

[chickens really]

So I shouldn't worry as much about having ducklings even though her eggs might be fertile? And when should I expect to seeher start laying eggs?

If you remove the eggs everyday? No reason to worry about Ducklings....The eggs will not be viable for three days after fertilized.
Why try and have Ducklings? You seem stressed already...?

 

[Ravynscroft]

So I shouldn't worry as much about having ducklings even though her eggs might be fertile? And when should I expect to seeher start laying eggs?

Just collect the eggs every day, eat them or sell/give away... then no ducklings to worry about... and I'd guess she might start laying in a month or 2...