Male duck now alone.

[maddiegray]

Hello everyone. I'm sorry to say that a very sad thing occurred today. I had a male pekin duck and a female Cayuga duck. Chuck and Olive. They were best buddies. Both extremely friendly with humans especially the male pekin. In the water, he would get frisky and attempt to mate with her. This was sometimes violent especially because she was much smaller than him. She avoided getting in the water with him, and would quickly get out if he got in. She was very smart about this. I have had the same set up for two months with no problem. About a week ago, I got a new pool that was a little bit bigger. Today, however, I went out to the garden to find her dead in their pool. He was swimming there right next to her. Now he is very sad and lonely unless I am out there with him, which I can't be 24/7. Do I get him another female duck? Will he just do the same thing to her? Do I raise a new duckling or should I look for an adult? Would going back to the smaller pool be safer because it's easier to get out of? I'm not sure what to do for him. I'm heartbroken at the loss of olive and for him being lonely. Someone please help.

 

[DaniBird]

It sounds like he drowned her. Drakes will push the ducks' heads underwater in an attempt to make them submit. If you get a duckling, don't let her near Chuck until she's full grown. And I'd get another pekin, or even jumbo pekin so that she'll have a chance against him in size. I'd go back to the smaller pool, but if you feel your new duck can handle him, then I don't see an issue with the new one. I have a single drake at this house who used to be lonely until I got a hen. They're best friends, and the hen is much smarter and faster than him, so he poses no threat to her. Perhaps this is something you'd consider

 

[DaniBird]

By hen, I mean chicken hen.

 

[Orca5094]

So sorry about Olive. :/ It does sound like he unintentionally drown her. I would recommend finding him a couple of adult female ducks of similar size (this way he doesn't have to wait months for ducklings to grow big enough to be in with him). You don't want them to be so much smaller than him and have this situation happen again. Also, the ideal sex ratio for ducks is one male to three females, but if you can get him at least two I think it'd be ok. When there's only one female for a drake she can be injured of even killed during breeding season when their hormones go crazy. They want to mate ALL THE TIME, so if you have multiple females to share the burden of keeping him satiated, it will be better for all.

Also, it's not a good idea to have female chickens with a male duck. If he tries to mate with them, he could kill them. Their reproductive organs are not compatible and can cause fatal damage to the hens.

 

[pattyhen]

I'm so sorry for the loss of Olive.

I know he didn't do that on purpose and I'm sure he is grieving right along with you. If you could find 2 female pekin ducks full grown that would really be good. I don't think I would try the big pool again unless the girls could easily get out and get away from him. Please don't blame yourself accidents happen.

Patty

 

[DaniBird]

So sorry about Olive. :/ It does sound like he unintentionally drown her. I would recommend finding him a couple of adult female ducks of similar size (this way he doesn't have to wait months for ducklings to grow big enough to be in with him). You don't want them to be so much smaller than him and have this situation happen again. Also, the ideal sex ratio for ducks is one male to three females, but if you can get him at least two I think it'd be ok. When there's only one female for a drake she can be injured of even killed during breeding season when their hormones go crazy. They want to mate ALL THE TIME, so if you have multiple females to share the burden of keeping him satiated, it will be better for all.  

Also, it's not a good idea to have female chickens with a male duck. If he tries to mate with them, he could kill them. Their reproductive organs are not compatible and can cause fatal damage to the hens. 

He has his own part of the yard sectioned off which the hen enters/exits as she pleases, but he's actually quite he gentleman with her.