Premature pekin ducks mating

[MangoDuck]

So, we bought two pekin ducklings a few months back, and they’re almost four months old now. One is a female and the other is a male. We saw them mate two days ago (we think it was the first time) and they’ve mated two more times after that.
I’ve heard that most ducks start mating at around 5 months of age, so our two are like a month and a half early (if what I’ve heard is correct). I’ve also heard that we’re supposed to have 4 females and 1 male due to the male wanting to mate a lot more than the females do, but we only have one female.
So far he won’t force her to mate or anything like that when she doesn’t want to.

Im just asking about this because I want to know if we need to get another female, and also if it’s normal for them to be mating at around 3 and a half months of age.

Thanks in advance!

 

[The-White-Elephant]

So, we bought two pekin ducklings a few months back, and they’re almost four months old now. One is a female and the other is a male. We saw them mate two days ago (we think it was the first time) and they’ve mated two more times after that.
I’ve heard that most ducks start mating at around 5 months of age, so our two are like a month and a half early (if what I’ve heard is correct). I’ve also heard that we’re supposed to have 4 females and 1 male due to the male wanting to mate a lot more than the females do, but we only have one female.
So far he won’t force her to mate or anything like that when she doesn’t want to.

Im just asking about this because I want to know if we need to get another female, and also if it’s normal for them to be mating at around 3 and a half months of age.

Thanks in advance!

@Everose

 

[citymeetscountry]

I can’t remember when ours started mating but it was definitely before our girls started laying eggs (and they were 5 months when they started laying). We have a horrible ratio 2 drakes/2 hens. They’re *almost* a year old so my understanding is this mating season will be brutal compared to last year. I have some eggs incubating and will be building a bachelor pad soon for our 2 current drakes. I think I’ve read some people saying they did just fine with a 1:1 ratio, so you may be fine. Just keep an eye on them.

 

[Everose]

Im just asking about this because I want to know if we need to get another female, and also if it’s normal for them to be mating at around 3 and a half months of age.

Pairs can be just fine, but it's generally safer to keep more females to ensure that she won't be overmated.
I wouldn't worry too much about early mating.

 

[MangoDuck]

Pairs can be just fine, but it's generally safer to keep more females to ensure that she won't be overmated.
I wouldn't worry too much about early mating.

Thank you for the advice! We don’t have a big yard, and I don’t want to put too many ducks in one fairly small space, so getting a female will probably be a last resort. So far our male has been very “respectful” in terms of mating, and I’m hoping it stays that way.

 

[MangoDuck]

I can’t remember when ours started mating but it was definitely before our girls started laying eggs (and they were 5 months when they started laying). We have a horrible ratio 2 drakes/2 hens. They’re *almost* a year old so my understanding is this mating season will be brutal compared to last year. I have some eggs incubating and will be building a bachelor pad soon for our 2 current drakes. I think I’ve read some people saying they did just fine with a 1:1 ratio, so you may be fine. Just keep an eye on them.

Thanks for letting me know! I hang out with them a lot, so I’ll have plenty of time to make sure everything works out.
Good luck with the upcoming mating season. I hope your hens don’t get too stressed!

 

[Everose]

Thank you for the advice! We don’t have a big yard, and I don’t want to put too many ducks in one fairly small space, so getting a female will probably be a last resort. So far our male has been very “respectful” in terms of mating, and I’m hoping it stays that way.

He sounds like a good boy, hopefully he remains a gentleman and you don't have to add more

But...is there really such thing as too many ducks

 

[citymeetscountry]

Thanks for letting me know! I hang out with them a lot, so I’ll have plenty of time to make sure everything works out.
Good luck with the upcoming mating season. I hope your hens don’t get too stressed!

Thanks! Me too. I hate to bachelor pad them but with the ducklings hatching soon, I’d hate for them to try to mate them before they’re big enough The 2 drakes and 1 of the hens are fairly tight knit and she’s the one I worry about. I think if I build the bachelor pad close to the goats they’ll be happy though (the ducks and goats frequently hang out together so my kids started calling them a “flerd”)

 

[MangoDuck]

He sounds like a good boy, hopefully he remains a gentleman and you don't have to add more

But...is there really such thing as too many ducks

Haha, I don’t think there is, but you gotta have the space to house them And yes, I think he’s very sweet.

 

[MangoDuck]

Thanks! Me too. I hate to bachelor pad them but with the ducklings hatching soon, I’d hate for them to try to mate them before they’re big enough The 2 drakes and 1 of the hens are fairly tight knit and she’s the one I worry about. I think if I build the bachelor pad close to the goats they’ll be happy though (the ducks and goats frequently hang out together so my kids started calling them a “flerd”)

That’s hilarious, I love the word “flerd”! I hope everything works out for your flock this mating season. Good luck with the bachelor pad!