thoughts on a dilimma

[Knighstar679]

I have a bit of a dilemma. I have four adult ducks right now, 2 welsh harlequin and two black East Indie. I have a male and female of each. Now my drakes are both very good to their girls. But the problem is that my Welsh harlequin drake likes to chase around my smaller ducks. He also grew up with them they were all broodered at the same time.

So my welsh drake will get rapey with the black East Indie Duck, then with the drake of that one he likes to chase and grab him and has pulled out feathers before.

I have tried to keep them separated for the last few weeks and let them be together for a few hours the first time today. The behavior started up again in less than an hour.
So my options are try to pen them separate from my smaller ducks, freezer camp the drake, or rehome the drake with his girl. A separate pen is going to be hard as the bulk of my flock is going to be small ducks and he wants to pick on and bully them. I would love to hear other thoughts on this situation.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I had two drakes who each had two girls. They both continuously tried to rape the other ones girls. I tried drake jail for spring and most of summer. I also tried letting them “work” it out. Nothing worked. I finally re-homed one of the drakes. Now I have one drake with five hens and he is still mean to two hens. Drakes are just hormone driven jerks. I think you either need to re-home the Welsh pair or just your Welsh drake.

 

[TomCahalan]

Domestic ducks don't form pairs. They acquire harems. You should get rid of one of the drakes. If you split them up into two pairs then the females won't get a break. One duck is generally not enough for one drake. Pick whichever drake you prefer, and then he will have both ducks.

You said you are planning on acquiring more small ducks. You can't get pairs. It just won't work. My runner drake have five wives and is always trying to get more whenever he sees a chance. I let some almost grown Pekins out and he tried to steal the female from the mostly male group, but then the pekins outgrew him so he keeps his distance. He is eyeing my flock of runner ducklings too, but they are separate from him now.

People usually recommend that at least a 4 to 1 ratio if you have multiple drakes.

 

[Knighstar679]

I have decided to rehome the pair. The male drake is very attached to his girl so I thought it best to let them go together. Even with more girls it would take months to finish growing them out, I think he would still go after the bantam ducks. I just can’t have that. I want them all to have a good life.

 

[DucksOhio]

I have decided to rehome the pair. The male drake is very attached to his girl so I thought it best to let them go together. Even with more girls it would take months to finish growing them out, I think he would still go after the bantam ducks. I just can’t have that. I want them all to have a good life.

A hard decision to make, but it is for the best. BettEr than freezer camp.

 

[Knighstar679]

A hard decision to make, but it is for the best. BettEr than freezer camp.

i ended up finding some one who was looking for an older welsh harlequin pair. The lady was very excited to get the pair.

 

[DucksOhio]

That’s great news