Too many drakes?

[MrsFarmerGooding]

I have 6 ducklings, 4 blue Swedish and 2 that we originally thought were magpies but now I’m beginning to think they’re khaki cambells or something similar. I’m not sure how old they are but the blue Swedish have started to quack now while the other 2 are still chirping. Anyway, I’m a first time duck owner, and I’m not sure what genders they are. When I tried to vent check them I think I came up with 3 hens and 3 drakes. I’m not sure that’s still true but if it is, will I need to get rid of some drakes? I would hate to because they’re already special to me, but I don’t want to kill my hens either. What do you think?

 

[Colley12]

I have 6 ducklings, 4 blue Swedish and 2 that we originally thought were magpies but now I’m beginning to think they’re khaki cambells or something similar. I’m not sure how old they are but the blue Swedish have started to quack now while the other 2 are still chirping. Anyway, I’m a first time duck owner, and I’m not sure what genders they are. When I tried to vent check them I think I came up with 3 hens and 3 drakes. I’m not sure that’s still true but if it is, will I need to get rid of some drakes? I would hate to because they’re already special to me, but I don’t want to kill my hens either. What do you think?

I only have 4 and ended up with 2 drakes and 2 ducks. Sadly I will need to get rid of one drake and probably acquire another female. Even though they are all special to me, I know that the ratio isn't good. I think the ratio is 3-4 females per drake...but some could need more females.

Hard decision, but your flock will be happier and the females won't be injured without the competition of many drakes...

 

[BelovedBirds]

I have 6 ducklings, 4 blue Swedish and 2 that we originally thought were magpies but now I’m beginning to think they’re khaki cambells or something similar. I’m not sure how old they are but the blue Swedish have started to quack now while the other 2 are still chirping. Anyway, I’m a first time duck owner, and I’m not sure what genders they are. When I tried to vent check them I think I came up with 3 hens and 3 drakes. I’m not sure that’s still true but if it is, will I need to get rid of some drakes? I would hate to because they’re already special to me, but I don’t want to kill my hens either. What do you think?

Could you take a recording of the ones quacking? We may be able to determine which are male and which are female for you.

If you have 3 boys, and 3 girls, you wouldn't be able to house them together, as the boys would overbreed and likely seriously hurt the girls.... But, you dont necessarily have to rehome. Drakes can often live happily with one another, so if you're able to house the girls and boys separately, you could keep all 6. Thats just whether you have the space to do so...

 

[Callender Girl]

Maybe I just got lucky, but since the beginning of my adventures with runner ducks, I have always had "too many" drakes -- initially three with one female duckling. Those boys, who grew up together, tended not to fight with each other, and strangely (to me, at least) when I added more females, the original girl seemed to be jealous of any attention the new ones received from her admirers.

If these were my ducks, I would wait and see if problems arise, especially since they are already special to you. If so, then I like @BelovedBirds suggestion of housing them separately. Last spring, when duck hormones were raging, I sometimes sent one of my drakes to a "time out" house, where he could see the others but was not able to squabble with the senior drake. None of the fights were severe, mostly just head batting and a little feather pulling.

BTW, when I separately the offending boy, "his" females -- who were all missing head feathers from his vigorous romancing -- seemed to resent my help. They all hung around his little prison, waiting for him to be released.

I hope you get everything worked out with your ducks. They are incredible creatures!

 

[MrsFarmerGooding]

Could you take a recording of the ones quacking? We may be able to determine which are male and which are female for you.

If you have 3 boys, and 3 girls, you wouldn't be able to house them together, as the boys would overbreed and likely seriously hurt the girls.... But, you dont necessarily have to rehome. Drakes can often live happily with one another, so if you're able to house the girls and boys separately, you could keep all 6. Thats just whether you have the space to do so...

I’ve thought about posting a video, I took one the other day but don’t know how good it is. I may try to post it soon or try to get them out separately and video each of them.

Unfortunately, we’re looking for a better pen right now to get more space so I don’t think we could keep them all. Lately they’ve been quacking more though and I’m hearing more of what sounds like females than I originally thought I had from vent checking.

 

[MrsFarmerGooding]

Maybe I just got lucky, but since the beginning of my adventures with runner ducks, I have always had "too many" drakes -- initially three with one female duckling. Those boys, who grew up together, tended not to fight with each other, and strangely (to me, at least) when I added more females, the original girl seemed to be jealous of any attention the new ones received from her admirers.

If these were my ducks, I would wait and see if problems arise, especially since they are already special to you. If so, then I like @BelovedBirds suggestion of housing them separately. Last spring, when duck hormones were raging, I sometimes sent one of my drakes to a "time out" house, where he could see the others but was not able to squabble with the senior drake. None of the fights were severe, mostly just head batting and a little feather pulling.

BTW, when I separately the offending boy, "his" females -- who were all missing head feathers from his vigorous romancing -- seemed to resent my help. They all hung around his little prison, waiting for him to be released.

I hope you get everything worked out with your ducks. They are incredible creatures!

I may do that! They’ve all been together since we first got them, so maybe they’ll tolerate each other better. I am going to try to post a video for more info if I can though!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I’ve thought about posting a video, I took one the other day but don’t know how good it is. I may try to post it soon or try to get them out separately and video each of them.

Unfortunately, we’re looking for a better pen right now to get more space so I don’t think we could keep them all. Lately they’ve been quacking more though and I’m hearing more of what sounds like females than I originally thought I had from vent checking.

That sounds promising! Some just develop their quacks later than others. My first 4 ducks are all different breeds. One (the Saxony) quacked waaaay later than the others. I started to think she was a drake. Kept me guessing right up until she started really feathering in.

(edited for typos!)