The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: It-needed-a-home on April 27, 2011, 09:13:44 am

Title: Missing feathers from the back of the neck on my ducks????
Post by: It-needed-a-home on April 27, 2011, 09:13:44 am

does anyone know aboout this ?

feathers are missing but no mite or anything like that is it because of the males holding them down when mating how do you stop it?

Title: Re: Missing feathers from the back of the neck on my ducks????
Post by: fifixx on April 27, 2011, 09:36:29 am

Randy males....I had to get rid of 2 drakes, leaving just one for the 5 girls as they were taking it in turns - and now a week later the backs of the heads of the girls are still red and raw, I think it may take a while to recover!

Title: Re: Missing feathers from the back of the neck on my ducks????
Post by: northfifeduckling on April 27, 2011, 10:37:05 am

what is your ratio of boys/girls? you might have to get more girls. You can't stop them, only reduce the frequency of mating this way. :&>

Title: Re: Missing feathers from the back of the neck on my ducks????
Post by: doganjo on April 27, 2011, 10:41:52 am

Yup, ducks are sexy so need at least 3 or 4 girls, perhaps more depending on breed, to each drake.  Khaki Campbells are particularly randy and the recommended ration for them is 9 or 10 females per drake.