#Flock of ducks free
If your flock has plenty of area to free range, it's likely that even one drake to every 3-4 hens could be fine. Keep in mind that ducks don't require a drake to lay eggs, just to lay fertile eggs that can be hatched. This is generally a ratio that allows for a peaceful flock, and it still allows for excellent fertility in all ducks. In my flock, and in most flocks I've spent time with, one drake for every 5-6 females is just about perfect. So, what is the best drake to duck ratio for a peaceful flock? (Since it generally take more hours of daylight to trigger fertility in male ducks than females, this change in male behavior often occurs well after ducks begin to lay.
#Flock of ducks full
Egg-laying has generally been in full swing for a while, and then suddenly all of the drakes become mating machines. However, as soon as the days begin to lengthen, and the weather warms, springtime hormones begin to surge. And this is often true, for nearly a year. It is very, very common for new duck keepers to know they have more drakes than is recommended, but to feel strongly that everything is going to be fine in their flock, because everyone gets along so well. So even throughout the winter months, it's common for a flock to stay quite peaceful and friendly - even with an even ratio of males to females. Throughout their first summer and fall after hatching, young ducks generally don't engage in much mating activity. So by the time it's easy to tell which young ducks are male and which are female, it's hard to imagine parting with any of them.
So it's pretty usual for duck owners to end up with a flock that has about 50% males (drakes), and 50% females (known as ducks, or hens).ĭucklings are so precious and personable, they quickly get named and become part of the family. Ducklings are most often sold straight run, which means they're not sold as guaranteed males or females. Unfortunately, this stressful dynamic can be very common in backyard duck flocks. Females with too many suitors quickly end up with bald heads and necks, where they're being grabbed by the drakes' bills.Įgg laying is also commonly reduced, when ducks are subjected to such constant stress. This in itself can maim a duck, but since mating activity often happens in water, it can also easily end in drowning for the poor female.Įven when such "gang-mating" tragedy doesn't occur, having too many drakes in a flock still leads to ducks being mated so frequently that it takes a heavy physical toll.
When too many drakes are competing for the ladies, it's common for 2 or even 3 drakes to attempt breeding one female at the same time. It's possible for them to endanger each other, but the most serious danger is usually to the female ducks. With too many drakes in a flock, they tend to squabble over the females. Do I need to get rid of some of my drakes?" "HELP! My boys are all ganging up on the girls and I'm worried they'll get hurt.
#Flock of ducks how to
In the early summer months, I mostly field questions about feeding ducklings, about managing their water so they don't live in a muddy mess, and most of all - how to raise friendly ducks that actually want to be around people.īy the early months of the following spring however, I start getting texts that sound like this: Every time I send a new duck owner home with a batch of precious, peeping little fluff-balls, I make sure they know they can call or text me with any duck-keeping question, any time. I hatch and sell many ducklings every spring. Read on to learn more about why the male/female ratio is important, and how there are exceptions to every rule. As a rough rule of thumb, it's generally safe and healthy for your flock to have one drake for every 5-6 female ducks.
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