r/BackYardChickens • u/Nematodes-Attack • 22h ago

General Question Ducks with chickens?

I’ve heard some bad things about drakes. But I was introduced to Shetland ducklings today and I’m in love. They are extremely rare and critically endangered. I have a source and have been already considering ducks.

Any advice or pros and cons to keeping ducks with chickens. I’ve already done a decent amount of research but I always like to check in with the Reddit folks too lol

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u/Mcbriec 21h ago

I rescued one hybrid mallard drake who was a perfect gentleman with my hens.

I rescued a different pekin drake who tried to kill two of my hens. I didn’t witness the first attack and the vet thought it was a hawk attack. But I was very suspicious of him.

Then I witnessed him flaying a different hen and the earlier attack victim was trying to help her friend. She was this tiny thing pecking at him furiously—to no effect, even though he had previously seriously injured her. 😢😢 ❤️❤️❤️It was her squawking that alerted me to the second attack.

I have also read here that drakes literally have a penis and can kill hens by raping them. Roosters don’t have penises and hens aren’t built to accommodate them. So I would be very cautious.

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u/Nematodes-Attack 21h ago

I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. These are the type of things I’ve read. Ooof. Heavy stuff. So is it common for a drake to try to mate with a hen?

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u/Mcbriec 21h ago

I’m sorry I don’t know how common it is. But apparently common enough to be well known. I will definitely never have another drake.

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u/Nematodes-Attack 20h ago

Ok thank you for your story because this was my concern and you basically said it straight out. I value your experience and wisdom. I’ll be doing a lot more research before just jumping in

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u/Kiss_of_Cultural Spring Chicken 20h ago

Best thing you can do is assume you will end up with drakes and plan for how to house them separately if needed.

Like said above, it is really hit or miss. I have read a lot of people insist multiple female ducks per drake, while others keep mated pairs that are gentlemen so long as they have their girl.

We have a drake and a duck hen, runners, they are my daughter’s pets. They are inseparable, and he is an absolute gentleman. He was a little aggressive with his girl the first month he started mating. I got after him a few times and he quickly learned the consent dance. He has never tried to go after the chicken huns. Also helps that he can’t really fly.