Will my Pekins breed?

arvoducks · **Posted:** Thu Jan 09, 2014 5:16 pm

I never leave a drake in with the ducklings from day 1 unless they are free range but in a run no its a risk

PekinDuckNut · **Joined:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 9:28 am **Posts:** 1

I breed mine out free range on our dam thats about 100 x 150 feet and they breed very well indeed its very rare I loose a duckling very rare and I think they are good mums well mine are

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Thanks guys.. and that's great news PekinDuckNut!

Mine were free range until MR Fox collected one so now they are in a run and house and free range only when I am out there with them.

Just wondered what the signs are when the eggs are about to hatch so I can make sure the drake is not with them. The two girls nests are only a foot or so apart but they should be ok together yeah?

And what is the hatching success rate normally as one girl is sitting on about twenty eggs and the other about ten.. not too sure if I could handle thirty ducklings!! Should I take some out..?

2_Drakes · **Posted:** Fri Jan 17, 2014 6:21 pm

Apart from pipping you won't tell so just try as best you can to count the days thats what I do

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Thanks 2 Drakes.. I'm counting the days!!

Just wondered about the space needed for the ducklings as I now have the two broody ducks separate from the drake but should they also be separate from each other?

Both are in the duck house and one is inside an old dog house inside the duck house (!). Together they share an inside space of 3x1.5mtr with access to a good size outside run.

I also wondered how much space the ducklings will need.. I think I might end up with about seven to ten of the little things!!

And what do I feed them..?? And how often!!

So many questions that I hope you can all help me with..!

happy_duck

Weston · **Posted:** Wed Jan 22, 2014 7:28 pm

Yes keep the 2 broods apart for safety reasons

chag · **Joined:** Wed Jan 22, 2014 7:24 am **Posts:** 1

I had mum and 13 ducklings in a 3 x 3 meter pen until they started getting feathers then I let them out during the day. As for feed well mine had mash all day every day but only filled it morning and afternoon and that seemed to keep them well fed and I also gave them heaps of green scraps

2_Drakes · **Posted:** Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:51 pm

Gaynor wrote:

Just wondered about the space needed for the ducklings as I now have the two broody ducks separate from the drake but should they also be separate from each other?

Its a bit of a gamble as some get on well and some don't they can work together or they can become territorial over their ducklings. I have several ducks that can brood with 2 or 3 others and I have 2 that will attack any other duck or animal or person that comes close

Gaynor wrote:

And what do I feed them..?? And how often!!

I use Duck & Goose Starter up to 6 -7 weeks and as much and as often as they need don't hold back food

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Thanks guys..

The two girls seem to get on fine now.. often visiting each other's nests for a peek so not showing any territorial signs yet but I might just get a barrier ready just in case!

I might also buy some crumble/mash.. and add the a bit more to the greens that they all get now.. and I guess I just have to sit back with fingers crossed and hope the little things hatch!

Will keep you all posted... by my calculations I should see something happening in the next week.. yikes!!

NEP · **Posted:** Fri Jan 24, 2014 6:57 am

hope you get heaos hatch

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