The Duck Thread

[duckies1230]

I have seperated them.I do allow sparta to be in the coop with them at NIGHT,otherwise everyones free ranging.I figured if I took him out (The young duckling),it was just cause more fighting,but at night.

I do have two broody hens and they are somewhat aggressive towards the babies (The mother pekins,well soon to be.)


They have to stay in the pen until I get theirs setup (Which should be today).I also figured that the pekin duckling could handle himself.I mean,the ducklings at least 6 pounds right now,and is bigger then my pekin hens (Their HUGE!)so,whats there to be afraid of for him?Now,the drake,sparta,is much bigger then him,which why I left my ducklings in there,the runner can run away,much faster,but i'll do as told.


And for one,Im not abusing my ducks......For 2,I didnt know it really was as serious as you guys say.

I didn't mean that you were abusing your ducks, I believe you want to take care of them or else you wouldn't have asked for advice. I meant your larger duck is abusing the ducklings. Two months ago I didn't know anything about caring for them, this site and these ppl have taught me ALOT well everything, I love it

 

[needlessjunk]

I have a 1:1 ratio. They are only 2 months. The girl is the aggressive one. Do you think I will have a problem?

Maybe. This year may be fine but next year when breeding season comes around you could have problems. It's something to keep a look out for and if he is over breeding her you will need to step in a do something about it.

 

[jtn42248]

This is general information about gender ratios in duck flocks. Rather than try to reply to each individual.

Optimal gender ratio in ducks is one drake for every 3-5 females. Note that Metzer recommends one drake to every 5-6 females. Anything less than that, for instance a one to one or multiple drakes to 2-3 females, can result in females being seriously overbred and possibly injured. In addition multiple males can (emphasis on can) injure one another establishing who is the alpha drake.

I have one small flock comprised of one Khaki drake and three females which works very well. My other flock is comprised of 14 Cayuga females and two Cayuga drakes...this also works well. They have a shared fence between the two flocks and have visual and sound contact 24 hours a day. However, I would not dare to mix the flocks as my Khaki drake is obviously intent on establishing himself as alpha and taking control of the Cayuga flock. The result would be injury to one or more of the drakes and would not be worth the problems it would cause.

There is no polite way to say it other than that duck sex is the rape of the poultry world. It is not pretty or romantic and, if you are not prepared, you will believe that the drakes are trying to kill the females. Probably the only remotely romantic poultry sex is between geese and swans and even then it can seem a bit rough. So prepare yourself if you plan on breeding ducks.

If you do not plan on breeding ducks there is absolutely no reason to have drake's other than they tend to be prettier than the females.

Ducks take more attention and care than chickens and geese so be prepared to interact and regulate your ducks behavior at all times.

 

[duckies1230]

Omg, horrible. I love my lil duck couple, I can't get rid of one and they are joined at the hip, they freak if they are not side by side at all times. My boy has seizures or something. Maybe he's retarted and won't try to mate, I mean that in the nicest way possible!

 

[Lynn Manes]

I got the good camera out for a change, instead of taking pictures with my phone. Everyone is dirty and molting, so they didn't come out as well as I'd like. We're digging the drainage system tomorrow, so I dumped their pool yesterday morning to let everything dry out. Here's Abba, wondering what the heck that thing is I have in my hands. And Harley, wondering the same thing. They're both looking super ragged. Little Poke, posing for the camera. She seriously needs a bath. My pretty Harley.

Cute bunch you've got there.

 

[Debs Flock]

I got the good camera out for a change, instead of taking pictures with my phone. Everyone is dirty and molting, so they didn't come out as well as I'd like. We're digging the drainage system tomorrow, so I dumped their pool yesterday morning to let everything dry out.


Here's Abba, wondering what the heck that thing is I have in my hands.


And Harley, wondering the same thing. They're both looking super ragged.


Little Poke, posing for the camera. She seriously needs a bath.


My pretty Harley.

Gorgeous babies!!

@Julie Bird - squeeee!! where are you? check out these precious webbies!

 

[City farm]

I have two Cayuga ducklings that are 8 weeks old? Does anyone know how long it takes for them to reach their full size? Thanks

Back to your question.. I still think at least 8-9 months...

 

[City farm]

I got the good camera out for a change, instead of taking pictures with my phone. Everyone is dirty and molting, so they didn't come out as well as I'd like. We're digging the drainage system tomorrow, so I dumped their pool yesterday morning to let everything dry out. Here's Abba, wondering what the heck that thing is I have in my hands. And Harley, wondering the same thing. They're both looking super ragged. Little Poke, posing for the camera. She seriously needs a bath. My pretty Harley.

Agh, wow.. They are so beautiful!! Thanks for posting photo's!!

 

[City farm]

So, I'm standing on my deck and it's cold and dreary and perfect. I'm watching duck TV and loving it. Evens my dogs are being good. The geese are calling to each other and everyone is happy! In this picture, or just out of sight are 4 Canadian geese, 5 Cayuga, 4 Pekin x call, 1 pekin 1 call and 2 mallard. And just for fun, a mated pair of wild mallards... It doesn't get better than this!

X2!! e.
Is it hard to find their egg's.. What a blessing from above!

 

[City farm]

So if you get a permit you can keep them for good? I love Canada geese well I love all animals but these geese are just so majestic. I get to watch them fly over morning and evening since we live along a mountain river. Someone dumped a tiny Call duck too. Well they are in a good place now.

That's the hope... I have to meet all housing, and sanitation and feed guidelines and follow all vet care standards and I/they will be monitored. I'm fine with that though. I THINK Peep is PERHAPS call. The bill seems wrong and so does the body type (slender). I just don't know anymore! She has full flight and light blue eggs.... Any guesses??? And when the wild mallards aren't around, she does call them in!

here's two of the geese. They have, as a foursome, completely taken responsibility of the Cayuga and mallard babies. They herd and guide and monitor. Everyone must obey!

Oh wow, just to cool!! We live in a boring desert.. And the city, so thanks for posting up wonderful photo's & finding BYC..