very 'frisky' aylesbury drake

[Anonymous]

my Aylesbury drake has three ducks and is mating with great regularity on the pond which I assume is normal for this time of year. He has become very dominant over one of them, and is constantly trying to mate her on land as well - and in doing so has pulled all the feathers out of the back of her head and her neck where he pins her down. She is also looking a bit dishevelled compared to the other two. I have checked her and (at the moment) she just has naked skin but I am concerned he may do more damage to her skin (as when cockerels become over zealous). Is this normal? I only want to know as, if it is I will just let them get on with it - and if not, I will take her away temporarily (although they all go mental if I have to move one away). I don't want to impose 'human' actions onto them if it is normal behaviour for them just because I think it looks like she is having a tough time.........thanks for any advice!

 

[Blue]

can't really advise ... just wanted to agree that they are randy little devils by all accounts!!
We had 4 drakes to three ducks up until last weekend, the girls are now mightily relieved I'm sure... and still get plenty of "attention!"

I would imagine a ducks bill will cause less damage than the sharper beak of a cockerel, but I dont know for sure

 

[rita]

i would move him away for awhile so they can have a break from him. he could hurt her if he keeps pestering her.

 

[daniellesdogs]

my boys took it out on each other to start with broke every feather on each others back girls got loads of rest while this was going on. iv now got 3 drakes so at least 1 will have to go

 

[Anonymous]

Is she younger than the other ducks? As one of my drakes picks on one of my girlies, which is alot younger, not sexually mature and doesnt lay yet. (But shes twice his size!) I put this down to the fact that she doesn't head bob him or stand for him to get on, i wish she would stick up for herself! Yet she'll attack the dogs!

 

[Anonymous]

She is the same age pb. She started laying the same time as the other two. We've had 3 eggs virtually every morning since early february.
I am going to try and split them up tomorrow although he doesn't seem to be pestering her so much. I'm now worried that the feathers near one of her eyes seems to be disappearing so he could damage her eye if he carries on though. I have no idea how long it might take for the feathers to grow back and whether he will just carry on where he left off when I put him back!

 

[Anonymous]

If you got the space etc for more the best thing would probably do is introduce some more skirt to the flock! Somehting new and interesting to make him confused and excited haha...men - eh!