Wintertime mating behavior

[416bigbore]

Being new to Ducks and with this being their first winter season just around the corner. I was wondering if their mating friskiness slows down any during the cold months? It don't get super cold here in NC unlike the Northern States, so I was just curious what members have experienced with mixed flocks ?

 

[Callender Girl]

Thank goodness, it does slow down! Otherwise, my girls would never regrow feathers on the back of their heads! It gets bitterly cold here, but I think -- not know, just think -- yours will probably ease up during winter, too.

Here's to hoping there's no frantic mating til spring!

 

[416bigbore]

We have a 4 Drake to 8 Hen ratio. I know this isn't correct and I will soon be separating them. The Boys have started to notice the girls and are still trying to get things figured out.

I haven't noticed any aggressive mating behavior this far thank goodness. I wasn't sure if they could all winter together or not? I am sure by spring that will be a very different story, I am so glad our little flock has been very mellow towards each other for the most part.

 

[Callender Girl]

My breeder allowed me to choose my own ducklings, without sexing them, the first time. I chose four, and as they grew, it was obvious three were drakes (She never again allowed me to pick without her "approval"; she's only misidentified once). Maybe because they all grew up together, the three boys didn't fight with each other, and although Quinn got a lot of romantic attention, she didn't seem to mind.

In fact, when I brought in two more adult runners, Quinn seemed upset when the boys paid attention to them. My adult pen has three drakes and four females right now. I have a pen of four more girls who will be fully integrated by winter, I hope. They free range together during the day, and none of the drakes have shown the slightest interest in the youngsters -- or the adult girls right now. It's one of the few good things about winter here!

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I am in TN and it doesn’t get that cold here either, and yes, it slows down until February or March. My drake was in drake jail since March with only partial visits daily. He finally gets to stays with the five girls full time.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

depends on the drake. i have 3 drakes and 2 hens, bigger boys seperate from the girls and smaller drake most times. they are fine in winter

 

[416bigbore]

Thank you everyone for sharing your personal experience with wintertime Drake behavior. We have been very fortunate so far with our little flock not to have any real behavior issues up to this point. They all grew up together so I am thinking that might be why, I am sure by spring that could all change very quickly.

When I do separate the Drakes from the Hens, will a fence be ok or do I need to isolate the Drakes and keep them out of sight of the Hens?

 

[Jvillemudkitten]

I want to ask a follow up question.. our flock is young (May/June hatching) and today, on a nice warm sunny day in December (Virginia) I caught my ducks mating.. should I worry anything will come of it? Do I need to watch for eggs now? They haven’t started laying yet this year.

 

[thelittlegraybarn]

I want to ask a follow up question.. our flock is young (May/June hatching) and today, on a nice warm sunny day in December (Virginia) I caught my ducks mating.. should I worry anything will come of it? Do I need to watch for eggs now? They haven’t started laying yet this year.

Just because they are mating does not necessarily mean they are going to lay anytime soon. It's pretty funny though. It's been in the 30s during the day here and I just recorded this video a few days ago. The cold temperatures don't seem to be changing their behavior one bit!