Where my duck people at?!

[Gerty0630]

I have a couple questions for the experienced duck peoples up in here. Please, only nice responses that are not condescending. Seems like a lot of those can float around here. But anyway here we are.

I have 2 pekin ducks. One male and one female. I know and have read that the male/female ratio is important and I do plan on getting my drake some more ladies in a couple months when it is starting to get warmer outside. (I live in MI and it was -15 the other day, brr). Until I am able to get him some new ladies and they are old enough to mix - am I going to have a problem with him over mating? Or what are some problems I can have with my 1 on 1 ratio.

Secondly, what's the likelihood of a good hatch from a first egg? My female just laid her first egg a few days ago - I have seen them mate so I know it could potentially be fertilized. Ive read there are issues that can occur if you try to incubate a first egg? The egg is very solid. It is not soft at all.

Third, how can you tell if your female is going to be broody? How long does it take for her to sit on an egg? It sounds like they do not just sit on one or two eggs - but once a heap of them gathers? As of now I've just found her chilly eggs in the corner of the coop and her anywhere but there. *edit - I know that Pekins are not normally the broody type, I just want to know what to look out for should I have a rare broody Pekin.

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[Pyxis]

You might be okay with just the pair. Generally it is a good idea to keep at least three to four females per male, and I would still advise that you get a couple more, but sometimes keeping them in pairs works out. I have such a pair here that have never had any trouble.

The trouble with first eggs is that they can be small, so that's why some people advise not to hatch them. I myself have never had trouble hatching pullet eggs.

Pekins really don't tend to go broody; for the most part, that trait has been bred out of the breed. They were selected for production and since hens don't lay when they're broody, the trait was selected against in order to keep egg production up and over time the breed just lost the trait. I won't say it will never happen, since some pekins do go broody, and I myself have one that does, but it is very unlikely.

 

[Gerty0630]

You might be okay with just the pair. Generally it is a good idea to keep at least three to four females per male, and I would still advise that you get a couple more, but sometimes keeping them in pairs works out. I have such a pair here that have never had any trouble.

The trouble with first eggs is that they can be small, so that's why some people advise not to hatch them. I myself have never had trouble hatching pullet eggs.

Pekins really don't tend to go broody; for the most part, that trait has been bred out of the breed. They were selected for production and since hens don't lay when they're broody, the trait was selected against in order to keep egg production up and over time the breed just lost the trait. I won't say it will never happen, since some pekins do go broody, and I myself have one that does, but it is very unlikely.

I definitely do plan to get a couple more but good to know it is possible to have a 1:1 and everything be okay! I have read and read and read that pekins are not broody however just keeping it on the back burner if I do, in some crazy universe, have one that is haha

Thank you for your input and advice!

 

[casportpony]

You might be okay with just the pair. Generally it is a good idea to keep at least three to four females per male, and I would still advise that you get a couple more, but sometimes keeping them in pairs works out. I have such a pair here that have never had any trouble.

The trouble with first eggs is that they can be small, so that's why some people advise not to hatch them. I myself have never had trouble hatching pullet eggs.

Pekins really don't tend to go broody; for the most part, that trait has been bred out of the breed. They were selected for production and since hens don't lay when they're broody, the trait was selected against in order to keep egg production up and over time the breed just lost the trait. I won't say it will never happen, since some pekins do go broody, and I myself have one that does, but it is very unlikely.

 

[DuckyBabies]

I had a pair of Pekins as well-one drake and one hen. They were raised together from day 1 and they always did fantastic together. He would usually mate her first thing in the morning and then never bother her after that. However, last weekend my drake was constantly trying to mate my hen. She ended up having issues and passed on Monday. I’m not sure if she was egg bound or if he actually over-mated her that day. I would say your pair should be okay for now, just watch them closely to make sure he is not over-mating her.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I had a pair of Pekins as well-one drake and one hen. They were raised together from day 1 and they always did fantastic together. He would usually mate her first thing in the morning and then never bother her after that. However, last weekend my drake was constantly trying to mate my hen. She ended up having issues and passed on Monday. I’m not sure if she was egg bound or if he actually over-mated her that day. I would say your pair should be okay for now, just watch them closely to make sure he is not over-mating her.

too much dying! So sorry for your loss!

 

[Gerty0630]

I had a pair of Pekins as well-one drake and one hen. They were raised together from day 1 and they always did fantastic together. He would usually mate her first thing in the morning and then never bother her after that. However, last weekend my drake was constantly trying to mate my hen. She ended up having issues and passed on Monday. I’m not sure if she was egg bound or if he actually over-mated her that day. I would say your pair should be okay for now, just watch them closely to make sure he is not over-mating her.

Omg im so sorry that sounds awful . Thank you so much for sharing i will absolutely keep an eye on my pair! They have been raised together since day one also.

 

[happy duck]

I have a couple questions for the experienced duck peoples up in here. Please, only nice responses that are not condescending. Seems like a lot of those can float around here. But anyway here we are.

I have 2 pekin ducks. One male and one female. I know and have read that the male/female ratio is important and I do plan on getting my drake some more ladies in a couple months when it is starting to get warmer outside. (I live in MI and it was -15 the other day, brr). Until I am able to get him some new ladies and they are old enough to mix - am I going to have a problem with him over mating? Or what are some problems I can have with my 1 on 1 ratio.

Secondly, what's the likelihood of a good hatch from a first egg? My female just laid her first egg a few days ago - I have seen them mate so I know it could potentially be fertilized. Ive read there are issues that can occur if you try to incubate a first egg? The egg is very solid. It is not soft at all.

Third, how can you tell if your female is going to be broody? How long does it take for her to sit on an egg? It sounds like they do not just sit on one or two eggs - but once a heap of them gathers? As of now I've just found her chilly eggs in the corner of the coop and her anywhere but there. *edit - I know that Pekins are not normally the broody type, I just want to know what to look out for should I have a rare broody Pekin.

Thanks for any and all advice!

I have 1 pekin male...I love him to death...great idea on the breed you picked
Anyway...I won't answer the Q's that have been answered...so that means that I really don't need to say anything. Just that I am watching this thread...and lots of great things have been said!

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I have observed with my ducks that sometimes one particular hen can get over mated even when the ratio is good. So even when you are able to get more girls it's something to watch for.
Watch for feathers missing on your girls neck, sometimes they will even get a bald spot and get bloody on their neck and or back.

 

[DuckyBabies]

I have observed with my ducks that sometimes one particular hen can get over mated even when the ratio is good. So even when you are able to get more girls it's something to watch for.
Watch for feathers missing on your girls neck, sometimes they will even get a bald spot and get bloody on their neck and or back.

Yes! My hen had a bald spot on her neck from him pulling so hard!