Duck Breeding Question

[Kenny_]

Can a Cayuga Drake breed with a Mallard hen? Does that even matter the variety? Thanks for your time! Sorry if this is a silly question!

 

[Better Than Rubies]

Hello there! I wouldn't say that's a silly question.. asking any questions is all a part of learning. And, hmm, I don't think it matters the species? I don't really have any knowledge about ducks, but I'd imagine any(?) duck/poultry-of-the-same-type could interbreed. Let me call in some people who I know have ducks. @DiamondSwan @chickens really.

 

[chickens really]

Of course he can breed them...if you want crosses it's fine. They will sell and be adorable!

 

[Kenny_]

Thank you thank you! Someone had posted a craigslist post about such items, and then they retracted it so it's all mute anyway. I can't buy them. I mean, I can.. but they won't be grown and for the price the person advertised. lol

 

[DiamondSwan]

Yup. They sure can. As long as they are the same species (and sometimes if the species is closely related) they can breed.

I have 5 Pekin/Welsh Harlequin crossed ducks and they turned out beautiful. It still worked out despite the size difference between the two breeds.

 

[sourland]

All mallard derived breeds when bred together can produce fertile young. Mallard derived breeds bred to muscovies produce mule or sterile offspring.

 

[Better Than Rubies]

Yup. They sure can. As long as they are the same species (and sometimes if the species is closely related) they can breed.

I have 5 Pekin/Welsh Harlequin crossed ducks and they turned out beautiful. It still worked out despite the size difference between the two breeds.

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Thanks for popping in, DiamondSwan! Those are gorgeous ducks! <3

 

[Kenny_]

I bought some white layer hatching eggs so we shall see.

For all you duck lovers who have chickens. Did you guys build a separate location for them? I know I need to set up a more permanent pond situation so they can do their waterbaths, because I am not interested in doing the daily emptying/washing of the kiddy pool! lol I can feed them flock raiser, correct? And just have the oyster shell as free choice.

Are there any special requirements for their coops or roosts? Do they even roost? lol Too curious! And too sleepy.. sorry for 2100 questions, but these are the things I ponder at 2:15am EST.

 

[17 chickens]

I bought some white layer hatching eggs so we shall see.

For all you duck lovers who have chickens. Did you guys build a separate location for them? I know I need to set up a more permanent pond situation so they can do their waterbaths, because I am not interested in doing the daily emptying/washing of the kiddy pool! lol I can feed them flock raiser, correct? And just have the oyster shell as free choice.

Are there any special requirements for their coops or roosts? Do they even roost? lol Too curious! And too sleepy.. sorry for 2100 questions, but these are the things I ponder at 2:15am EST.

I have my ducks right now with my chickens in a really large coop, I have lots of duck nesting boxes and chicken nesting boxes and the females seem to want to use the top roll of nesting boxes that are a foot off the ground. As for ducks and chickens together I will be separating them here really soon due to the boy ducks trying to mate with my chickens. When they try to mate with them the pull all the feathers off my chickens back!

 

[Miss Lydia]

They can also kill your hens drakes and chickens are not made to mate.
My Muscovy's roost with my chickens but I would suggest separate houses if at all possible. Mine were separated for many years until I knew My drakes weren't messing with my hens as long as I keep many female ducks for my drakes they don't mess with the chickens.