Any Duck Keepers out there?

[Ivan]

Hi,
I have just purchased another drake to add to my collection of 4 hens and 1 other drake. They all get on fine apart from the other drake (Donald) who will chase and neck pull. I knew this would happen and there would be an integration period. 2 weeks have gone and it's still going on. I did have a similar issue when I added another hen to the flock, but after a week all good and Donald now likes her!!
I have tried separation and mixing the flock around in a separate ( run) within the pen etc....
Interested to hear if anyone has experienced this and after time will the situation improve? I have considered building another pen, purely for the 2 drakes and letting the 4 hens have their own space! I know he will be protective over his girls, but I am running out of ideas.

Ivan

[sandy]

Ivan what breed of ducks are they? I would have thought much better to keep them seperate when in their runs especially as you have two drakes. Boy ducks arent fussy they will try and mate with the hens and from past experience it caused two of nextdoor hens to be badly hurt. Could you get some girlie ducks for your boys? Besides , I presume you have a pond and hens are not keen on water.

[Ivan]

Sandy,

Thank you for your reply.

I have 3 Indian Runners and a cross Campbell/Cayuga hen. One of drakes is a Campbell and the other a Crested Runner.

The ducks have a large horse troth which they all enjoy and keeps them entertained. I think you are right, best to separate the drakes from the hens whilst they are in their pen. Or my other alternative is to build another pen and share the hens between the 2 drakes.

I hope to breed from them next year so I am sure I will be adding to the collection.

Ivan

[kitla]

Ivan when you refer to your "hens" do you mean female ducks? I thought you
meant chicken hens.

[Ivan]

Hi,

Yes all ducks, (girls)

[sandy]

Oh Ivan I really thought you meant chickens when you said hens

[kitla]

what is the name for a female duck? I just call them girl ducks!

[Mo]

Well I thought duck meant female, drake male. Like hens and c***s, dogs and b****es.

But often the gender specific name gets used for both and the other becomes a rude word so that you daren't write it for fear of what the censor will do to it.