well - just thought I'd update everyone.....
after one of my ducks had it's head bitten off by a snapping turtle - it was nearly impossible to get the rest of the ducks back on the water. finally - a couple days ago - they decided to go back out and WOW - they sure are cleaning my pond! lol we're pretty sure we only have 2 drakes - but 3 of my pekin's are growing their tail feathers back....(we have no idea why they kept being for lack of a better description - torn off....) so who knows - but I'm hoping for babies sometime!! :)
ducks on a pond......
Wow, that's great !!
Two drakes should be plenty to get the job done. Those guys are pretty rough on their ladies and aggression and overbreeding/mating (to the point of killing) can be an issue. So you definitely want the hens to out number the drakes it gives them better odds of surviving!!!!
Julie
Julie -
Do you know when they start to get.........."horny"?? lol.....can't think of the proper word! haha!
My only drake is about 11 wks old and he is just starting to pin the females down for "ducky love". So far none of the gals seem to be as appreciative as he is and some of them are older than he is by a couple weeks.
Julie
Ah....well....I think mine are 9 weeks....so I've got just a little bit more time....
Do you have a pond? I'm just curious - as I'm thinking about when winter comes. Can you still let the ducks out in the snow? My pond doesn't freeze for the whole winter...only for about a month....do they still go out during those months? (I'm 3 hours south of you)
Heather
No I don't have a pond. I have runner ducks and a pond is considered a requirement. I have seen pics of ppl letting their ducks play in water in the winter. I think on Cottagerose's website she has pics like that....
I know I've seen ducks standing on ice at the lake. I always thought they looked a little sad but thats because it looked like a miserable scene to me...lol.
Julie