Weight of drake

[Mshafer01]

Is a buff orpington drake too heavy to be a mate for a welsh harlequin? I would love to have a buff drake but don't want my welshies hurt.

 

[KathiQuacks]

Your Welshies will be just fine! Hens can tolerate drakes up to around twice their weight.

 

[Mshafer01]

Your Welshies will be just fine! Hens can tolerate drakes up to around twice their weight.

Thank you

 

[Mshafer01]

Another question. Can a 9lb saxony drake safely mate a 6lb duclair duck. I know u said twice the weight just wanted to ask

 

[Quatie]

My Saxonies are not that big and I don't have any issues with them mating smaller females. The smallest I have is runners. The biggest issue I would have was if two drakes ganged up on one female. One of my female Welshies was highly sought after and occasionally got injured because of this. But even small drakes can be really aggressive. The worst drakes I have had were khaki Campbells and they are on the smaller side. They just smashed larger girls into the ground, and a couple got injured before I got rid of them. Personally, I go for the fairly gentle giants over the aggressive small ones. You will have to see how your drakes temperament is. There is always a potential risk with larger drakes. You have to do what you are most comfortable with and what you feel is best for your flock.