Too many boys, what can I do?

[maureenclaire]

My two new additions are both drakes. I was hoping one was a girl, but no. Curly butt feathers and raspy quacks abound. I already have three, 2 girls, 1 boy. The two new additions and the original group keep their distance but sometimes my older Pekin boy chases my new buff duck and bully's him away from the pool ( I have observed this behavior and I assume since the mating usually happens in or around the water, the old Pekin is trying to tell the new duckies to stay away from his ladies). The ladies on the other hand seem more interested in the new boys than the boys seem to be with them. They did appear to be puffing out and running is circles trying to show off but that was the extent of that. We have a huge yard and 23 chickens. Am I certain to end up with an injured female? Can anyone shed any light for me on the dynamics of introducing new ducks to my yard.

 

[sourland]

When the young drakes mature there is the potential for problems as they may fight your Pekin drake, and all three drakes may start gang breeding the ducks. Drakes generally become very sexually aggressive during the breeding season.

 

[maureenclaire]

I have some baby Pekins that just hatched. I'm thinking I will see of I can add some additional females when they get big enough. I hope there are enough girls here in this batch. Time will tell. I didn't realize the male to female ratio was so important but I've seen the mating process and it's awkward and pretty rough...to say the least. Honestly it looks so awkward it's hard to believe that that process actually created fertile eggs. It looks very unsuccessful most of the time. They usually get randy when I change their pool water every morning, but there has to be several midnight rendezvous I'm unaware of. My chickens go to bed at 7:30 or 8, but the quackers are up having pool parties at all hours. They are like teenagers. They party all night and sleep all day.