Ratio

[Lynxfire]

I understand the whole drake-to-hen ratio issues but has anyone had success from having too high of a drake ratio? I am asking because we bought and raised eleven Pekin ducklings together then inherited a neighbor's older female Pekin with apparently no issues several weeks ago. That left us with 4 drakes and 8 hens and we were a bit concerned. Now at over 21 weeks of age one of those hens showed us she was really a drake (explains some behaviors). Two of the drakes are heavily getting some, two are moderately getting some and we haven't seen the fifth one yet having the "underneath stains". So far we have seen most of the ladies running away from more then accepting the mating rituals. They all seem to be getting along just fine and the original 11 will be 22 weeks old Friday.

Guess I am looking for positive advice on ways to keep them together without adding to or subtracting from our flock.

 

[sourland]

If it were me I would leave 1 drake with the hens and put the others in a drake pen - closely supervised. It is likely that your drakes will start gang breeding your hens and injure them. Also if they have swimming water there is the possibility of multiple drakes inadvertently drowning a hen while breeding.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Yes... but never with more than one drake. I've had pairs work out. I've had a "two drakes, one duck" "work out" because the bigger drake just smashed the little drake every time he got close.

I have never had three drakes or more with too few females work. And in your case, I'm guessing it's not really breeding season yet. Make a drake pen now.

 

[Kkrista123]

Drake pen would be a great idea and if you wanted fertile eggs for hatching, choose your favorite drake to keep with the hens! Also keep in mind what @sourland said about drakes drowning hens due to trying to breed in water. That is a very good thing to always remember!

 

[bluemerle]

I have a question - will high drake ratios "work" when not in breeding season, or are they always just a danger to their hens?

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I have a question - will high drake ratios "work" when not in breeding season, or are they always just a danger to their hens?

I have two drakes and four hens. My group is fine together during the late fall and early winter when the boys hormones are low. Right now, everyone is still together but the trouble is starting. The boys are fine with the girls but they are fighting with each other as their hormones are increasing. In another month or two I will most likely have to separate the boys from the girls for a month or two because they tend to get crazy and over mate one or two of the girls and leave them with bare necks. So, to answer your question, maybe, but it is a risk and a hassle and I only have two drakes. I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[Loopeend]

What cheezenkwackers says.

It's better to create a situation where it can not go wrong.
But It eventually all comes down to your own eye.
Not all ducks are the same. So not every group is the same.
You have to look at your ducks and decide if this is okay or not and take action or not.
If you don't want to lose them; built a drake den. Better have it ready if needed, and better already build it safe then sorry.
If not needed, that's great.
If you don't build it, and see that it is going wrong, wou have no other option then remove or add ducks.

It's your choice as owner. You can see the best what is needed.
Learn how you can tell what the signs are that it is not an okay situation. Watch them close. And take action. And if you don't want to add or substract; any action that you can take to prevent that happening in the future.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I have a question - will high drake ratios "work" when not in breeding season, or are they always just a danger to their hens?

I once thought there was a "season" but when I had my drakes every day was "in season" so I'd watch it carefully!

 

[chickens really]

I have two pens of Breeding Ducks. One Drake to each pen. I can free range them all together during eclipse or only let one group out at a time during breeding season. Drakes are raging hormones during breeding season.
People think Rabbits breed lots..

 

[casportpony]

I have a group of 4 that are inseparable, they are two hens and two drakes. Those four are always together and so far so good, this is season 3 together and as far as I can tell, they get along and never fight.

Note that the above mentioned ducks are Mallard derived. This is not something my Muscovies would do.

I have another group of Mallard derived ducks. I will check the drake to hen ratio of that group and report back. They too do not fight, and I think that group is 3-4 drakes and 6-10 hens.