So...I have 2 drakes and 2 hens...is this going to work?

[wordgirl]

I have four Ancona ducks that I hatched at the end of May, so they're nine weeks old. They get along super well right now, but as of today I've discovered that I have 2 drakes and 2 hens (before I thought one of the drakes might be a hen, but nope!). Is that going to be a problem as they reach maturity? I really don't want to sell either of the drakes, but I've never had ducks before - will they fight, or will the hens get stressed out? Or will they pair up since there are only four of them?

Thanks!

The four of them drying off after a bath:

 

[Kevin565]

Your drakes will begin to fight especially during spring time and your ducks will most likely become over bred. A 1:1 ratio can work in *some* cases but most of the time it doesn't .

 

[Jeanette56]

I would say at this point to watch & wait. Due to unpleasant circumstances I was left with a single Muscovy hen and two drakes. One drake made himself dominant and did not hassle the other one too much as long as he maintained his distance. More than likely that is what will happen with yours. If you want them to pair up they would need separate "territories" so that one drake would not try to steal the other's hen. If you can find a home for your second drake you and they would be happier overall. This seems obvious but if you let your hens ever set on eggs extra drakes will be an ongoing problem.

P.S. what makes you sure of the drakes?

 

[wordgirl]

Thanks for the advice, both of you. I think I'm going to have to wait and see how it goes. I really don't want to sell either drake, because I'm trying to build up a breeding flock and intend to eventually get more hens. Unfortunately, since Anconas are rather rare and my space is rather limited this winter, I'm not able to get more right now. I *might* be able to get some more hens of another breed, but I'm not sure whether I have enough space.

Jeanette - I'm pretty sure because I was finally able to successfully vent-sex my lavender drake (which I'd done with my black drake weeks ago, and he has a very quiet voice besides). I was suspecting the lav' was a drake for a while now since he doesn't quack, but I was hoping I might be wrong because his voice is louder than my other drake. I'd tried to vent-sex him before, but not until a couple days ago was I able to see...well, you know.

The other two ducks quack very strongly, so I'm pretty sure they're hens.

Unfortunately, I lost my third hen unexpectedly a few weeks ago, or I would have at least a slight female-majority.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

A friend of mine has 2 drakes, and 2 ducks. They get along just fine. Both his females are currently laying, and the drakes seem to be fine.

~ Aspen