Can a female duck be housed at night with 2 male ducks??

[4Dobermans]

I have a female crested and she is bigger than one of the males. I house them together in the same wooden boxes, different than the chickens who has their own. All 3 grew up together and have been with each other for almost a year. They have never hurt her before. I mean sometimes they run her over or grab her by the scuff but they have never actually harmed her before. They do try to mount her but she fights back and they eventually stop. She basically rules over them but I just want to be sure. Please do put your opinion in.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I wouldn't, especially since they're crested. Most crested birds have a more fragile skull and brain and it can be easily damaged, especially by larger birds when trying to breed

 

[Callender Girl]

My Quinn grew up as the lone female with three drake siblings and is fine. And, like your girl, she is in charge of the group. But, she's a runner not a crested. I have no experience with cresteds, but I have read, as JacinLarkwell said, that their skulls and brains are more fragile.

After I added more female ducks, Quinn seemed jealous of the attention they were getting, often running off the other girls, but duck mating really is a rough process. I would worry about your girl.

 

[3bird]

Time of year can be a major factor as well. A mild-mannered, sweet drake can turn into a terror. From April or May to August or September, we are very vigilant and manage our flock accordingly (e.g., separate pasture during the day, supervised free ranging as a flock, different nigh quarters). Many people say it makes a difference if they grew up together. Our experience is that it makes a difference until it doesn't.

 

[KaleIAm]

My female crested was hurt very badly by overmating before I adopted her. She has to have surgery under anesthesia yearly for her ongoing issues because of it, even though the drakes were little mallards. I wasn't there, so I don't know the exact situation she was in - but I'll never leave her with drakes.

Some members say their drakes are perfect gentlemen. Personally, I can't risk it. My ducks are pets and everyone has different comfort levels.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

It also depends on the male. I had a pekin that raped everything. Including having a go at the dog. my current two drakes know no means no. So even in Spring my older drake has been gentle. But next spring is coming and you just never know when they turn into rapey monsters.

 

[LT71689]

The issue is that everything can be going fine right up until the day that it isn't, and they could kill her. You certainly could take the chance. Personally, especially with a crested that's more vulnerable to injury, I wouldn't. Doubly so as they come up on their first adult spring mating season.

Unfortunately, if you've only got the one female you're in a bit of a sticky situation, as separating her out by herself wont be good for her either as shes probably very attached to the others and would be quite lonely. Honestly I'd work on getting some more adult females ASAP so you can get them quarantined and introduced before spring. With 2 males you'd want at least 7 more females probably which is a lot of ducks for people who werent planning on that many. Your other option is to rehome the female to someone with a better gender ratio and keep your two males.

 

[Pollo Blanco]

With 2 males you'd want at least 7 more females probably which is a lot of ducks for people who werent planning on that many.

Had to at your post because one unexpected drake is why I now have 14 Runners!
Two drakes and twelve hens.

 

[Pollo Blanco]

I had a pekin that raped everything. Including having a go at the dog.

WUT?

 

[Callender Girl]

Trying to balance is ratio is also why I, who only wanted and -- at the time -- had space for four runner ducks, have 10 today. And, I have a second "apartment" next to the main shelter where young females can grow up next to the adults without being romanced until they are old enough to survive the courtship.