Puberty...so it begins. Take away pool?

[Debs Flock]

My duck children are 15 weeks old today. I realize I could probably research this, but I'm too freaked out to calmly spend the time wading through old threads. I have 1 drake to 3 females. There's a run attached to their coop and in the run is a kiddie pool. Today I witnessed for the first time, my drake getting on top of a female, biting the back of her neck and the result was her being held under water. Do I need to take away their pool or is she able to breathe under water?

I'm just not mentally ready for this...

 

[Miss Lydia]

My duck children are 15 weeks old today. I realize I could probably research this, but I'm too freaked out to calmly spend the time wading through old threads. I have 1 drake to 3 females. There's a run attached to their coop and in the run is a kiddie pool. Today I witnessed for the first time, my drake getting on top of a female, biting the back of her neck and the result was her being held under water. Do I need to take away their pool or is she able to breathe under water?

I'm just not mentally ready for this...

First time I saw this way back 11 yrs ago I about freaked out. I don't remember but I probably made Ernie get out of the pool, but you know what I haven't lost a duck yet to these shenanigans and no they can't breathe under water but they can hold their breath evidently. Just part of being ducks.

 

[Debs Flock]

Honestly, the female (Rouen) didn't even seem to mind. I started yelling and scared everyone out of the pool. They really enjoy the pool so I don't want to take it away, but if I lose one to drowning, it will break my heart!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Honestly, the female (Rouen) didn't even seem to mind. I started yelling and scared everyone out of the pool. They really enjoy the pool so I don't want to take it away, but if I lose one to drowning, it will break my heart!!

I don't think you will not the size of your ducks. Small ducks might drown by a large drake but my Muscovy's seem to hold their own and even invite the drakes to the party. and there is a big difference in size Opie is around 12-15 lbs and my heaviest duck is around 6 lbs probably.I'm going to weigh him tomorrow and one of my ducks too.

 

[Debs Flock]

Thanks dear! I do get the impression that my Rouen girls are pretty tough and I'm not so worried about my female Pekin. She's so bossy that I don't think Donald has a chance with her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks dear! I do get the impression that my Rouen girls are pretty tough and I'm not so worried about my female Pekin. She's so bossy that I don't think Donald has a chance with her.

Poor Donald, but pretty soon you'll see them saying [in duck language] Hey big boy come up and see sometime. Even your Pekin duck but it will be on her own terms. Maybe you should name her Mae after Mae West if she doesn't already have a name. lol

 

[Debs Flock]

Wait...so the girls will be encouraging the hop on behavior??

 

[Amykins]

Wait...so the girls will be encouraging the hop on behavior??

Hehe probably, yes! As rapey as drakes can be, the females are more than happy to lower their necks and present to their boyfriends!

 

[jducour]

My girls definitely ask for "it" they will hop in the pond and start calling for the boys. Then the head bobbing starts... funny thing,i adopted the females as adults, and they came from an all female flock. My boys are only 6 months old, but they all figured it out pretty quick!

 

[Amykins]

I love the head bobbing. I call it the Yes Dance "Yes?" "Yes." "Yes?" "Yes." "Yes?" "Yes." "Yes?" "Yes."