Home Page
   Articles
       links
About Us    
Traders        
Recipes            
Latest Articles
Rescued Aylesbury duck - advice please

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Poultry
Author 
 Message
Foghorn



Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 49
Location: Barcombe, E Sussex
PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 05 9:44 am    Post subject: Rescued Aylesbury duck - advice please Reply with quote
    

We have just acquired a male Aylesbury duck who was being severely bullied by his duck group, to the point where his owners have had to remove him. We plan to move him in with our two laying hens and one younger hen (12 weeks), all of whom free range during the day, and share an ark at night. Aside from providing him with some water, I’d be grateful for any advice about whether this kind of combination is likely to create any obvious problems. He introduced himself to the hens by chasing them around the garden in comical fashion (we couldn’t work out whether he just wanted to pal up with them, or whether he was being aggressive), but they spent the night in the ark happily enough, although he seemed determined to keep them out to start with.

judith



Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire
PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 05 9:55 am    Post subject: Re: Rescued Aylesbury duck - advice please Reply with quote
    

Foghorn wrote:
He introduced himself to the hens by chasing them around the garden in comical fashion (we couldn’t work out whether he just wanted to pal up with them, or whether he was being aggressive), but they spent the night in the ark happily enough, although he seemed determined to keep them out to start with.


From what little I know about ducks, I would say he is probably trying to mate with them. I've been told that some drakes will try to have their way with anything that stands still for long enough. Your hens may find that they are harrassed to pieces or they may all settle down together. Best keep an eye on his antics for a bit.

Foghorn



Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 49
Location: Barcombe, E Sussex
PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 05 10:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks, I thought I saw a bit of a glint in his eye

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 05 11:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We had Aylesbury ducks when I was a lad. A couple of drakes to about 5/6 females IIRC. The drakes to try and mate quite often so I bet that's what he's upto. You'll just need to get him a couple of ducks.

Jb



Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 7761
Location: 91� N
PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 05 11:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Foghorn wrote:
Thanks, I thought I saw a bit of a glint in his eye


"'allo Hen, fancy a duck?"

Foghorn



Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 49
Location: Barcombe, E Sussex
PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 05 11:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

One duck is enough for me, thanks. I suppose we'll just have to see if he settles with the ladies in a respectable and contented manner, the last thing they want is to be pursued constantly by an amorous web-footed lunk.

judith



Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire
PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 05 11:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Well if it doesn't work out, Aylesbury duck does taste rather nice

Foghorn



Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 49
Location: Barcombe, E Sussex
PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 05 12:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I shall make sure I point that out to him.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Poultry All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1
View Latest Posts View Latest Posts

 

Archive
Powered by php-BB © 2001, 2005 php-BB Group
Style by marsjupiter.com, released under GNU (GNU/GPL) license.
Copyright © 2004 marsjupiter.com