What to do?

[Waddle and wags farm]

We live in central Florida with one dog, one rooster, 4 hens, and 2 Peking ducks. We think one is a drake. All are almost 5 months old. We have a secure coop and run and all seem to get along fine. However, after reading many articles and blogs I am concerned that we have problems ahead of us. First, I have read that a drake needs up to 5 females. Is this true?! We adore our ducks but they are very messy and to think of having 6 of them! Secondly, we are thinking of moving the 2 ducks out of the chicken run because they make such a mess but would we need to have a wire roof over their area? Would they need to go into a duck house at night? Now they sleep under the coop and seem content.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Welcome to the site...
Try asking in the forum category..


Duck owners here

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. Folks at the "Duck forum," should be able to give you good advice.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I'm sorry, I can't really offer any real life advice for you chicken and duck dilemma. Good luck resolving it before the hormone surge begins.

 

[fldiver97]

Welcome Nice to have you here!

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome! Glad that you joined! Good luck with your chicken's and duck's!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens Connie gave you the link to post in the duck forum
I hope they answer your questions

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC. I hope that you enjoy your time here.

This is a useful link to take a look at - “How to...” guides. You may wish to consider including your location under your avatar (using the guide in the link above). You can use this link to contact members in your area - U.S. States

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[Beccazon]

Wlcome!
I would suggest that yes the ducks should have their own space. By my own (limited) experience, research, and info from duck gurus here lol. Due to mess and yes, drakes can and will try to mate chickens and can kill them in doing so. The mess mine created was crazy (I have 9 but started with 7). They eat a heap compared to the chickens and make a mess. Yes they should have their own indoor inclosure but need no roost. Mine have an actually pretty small nesting area in the same coop as the chickens but in a sectioned off area with their own separate access door. Their run is connected to the chickens' but has no direct access to them.

Now is a good time to move them as at this age, all are coming of age and mating/laying will soon start if it has not yet.

Like suggested, the duck forum is full of very specific knowledgeable peeps so hopefully this info will suffice while you await some info in the duck forum or flock management forum.

Again, glad to have you!