I am planning on getting 5 or 6 ducks (more than likely Swedish) this spring. I have read that it’s fine to have all females (or males for that matter) but they would be happier with a drake when the mating urge comes around. I’ve read that ducks will mount other ducks if there is no drake; I know some animals do this to show dominance too (I may live in the city but was raised a country girl). I know you only need a drake if you want more ducks. I’m not planning on hatching ducklings so eggs would be collected on a daily basis. I just want to do whatever I need to do to keep the girls happy.
Thank you,
Loreen
Duck flock happiness question - Opinions/advice please
We tend to keep our geese in pairs but we never did that with ducks, although they do definitely pair off in the wild. I don't know if you have to have a drake, but maybe someone else has more experience with that.
I have about 20 ducks and we have a mixture. We collect the eggs every day so it doesn't matter if they get fertilized because it never has a chance to incubate. I don't know if the hens would be happy without a drake because we never had that situation, but they are pretty happy just running around eating grass and playing in the kiddie pool! We have a mix of Muscovy, blue Swedish, Rouen, Pekin and mallard. They all get along fine.
You do not have to have males for the girls to be happy. They will just fine ;o) However, if you decide to have ducklings, you will only need 1 male for such a small group.
I've had instances w/ all ducks and no drakes. They seem content however one was more dominate and would mount on the other ducks. If you are just looking for egg production and not planning on hatching any on your own, I would just get all ducks and no drakes. Why pay to feed him?!
I've been told ducks will mount each other even with a drake around as a part of establishing pecking order. So I will stick with just ducks, though I know sexing sometimes isn't 100%. I told my DH that if I do end up with a drake I will name him Paul, as in Paul Drake.....LOL!!!!.....sorry.
LOL you answered a question I was going to ask. I had 1 pr Ringed Teal then got another older female at Christmas. The new female Rosie laid and hatched her eggs quickly. My first female Daisy had just come into her first breeding season so i took her eggs and incubated them. All were 100% formed and 1 days from hatching when my incubator decided to jump to 104 and fried them all. She laid more eggs but then it got to hot and she and the Mandy hen wouldn't sit their nest. Any way when I was in the cage changing out their pools the other day all 3 of the adults were in a clean pool cooing and gooing. The newest female Rosie was in the middle with the Male Daffy on one side and the first female Daisy on the other. They were pecking at Rosies side. Next thing I know Rosie goes flat for mounting and Daisy mounts Rosies with Daffy looking on. I liked to have died.