sara | July 7, 2011
Duck keepers often wonder what is the best combination and ratio of male to females and I am often emailed about the numbers of drakes and ducks in a group and whether they will get along ok.
Carolyn has just emailed as she has two draks and two ducks.
The ducklings I got at Easter have turned [...]
sara | October 31, 2010
I have a cayuga drake so have been reading up about the cayuga breed.
The cayuga breed of duck originates from the USA.
Cayuga are a table breed.
The cayuga has black plumage with a green/purple sheen on the feathers.
The cayuga’s bill and webs are black.
Cayuga ducks can lay about 100 eggs a year.
The cayuga is classified as a [...]
sara | April 15, 2010
It is difficult to guess what gender a duckling is just by looking at the duckling but my ‘farmingfriends’ friend Maureen has challenged me to take a guess at the gender of her three ducklings named Treacle, Toffee and Fudge.
‘Hi Sara, as someone far more knowlegable than me, how do you fancy taking a guess [...]
sara | November 29, 2009
I am often asked if you can keep all drakes together. My answer to this would be no if you are just keeping drakes unless they are separated from each other.
If you are going to keep drakes then you will need to get some ducks to satisfy their breeding urges. At least 2 ducks per [...]
sara | March 23, 2009
I have been asked a couple of times about dealing with aggression in drakes.
I am looking for advice or suggestions! We have just acquired three ducks and the drake has now started to act very aggressively towards my chickens. We have tried segregating him, but he is getting worse; any suggestions???
Denise
Hi Denise,
Thanks for visiting farmingfriends [...]
sara | November 12, 2008
One of my reader’s and farmingfriends, Alexandra sent me some photos of her lovely ducks and drakes. Anyone who has been reading the farmingfriends forum will know about Alexandra’s drake Monty who all of a sudden turned vicious.
“Monty is I think a Rouen (very very large mallard!) I have 2 female Cherry valleys, one duck is a [...]
sara | August 8, 2008
My seven ducks are now 13 weeks old and are a real joy. They love the rain and dabbling in puddles down the lane. They also like to eat my flowers!!! They are very easy to get in on a night which makes a change from trying to find the guinea fowl that are trying [...]
sara | June 28, 2008
It is possible to identify a duck and a drake from about 5 weeks of age. There are a number of ways of distinguishing between a duck and a drake.
The tail feathers. It is the male that has curling tail feathers.
Colour of plumage. Some breeds of duck the male are more brightly coloured.
Colour of bill. [...]
sara | June 27, 2008
From about 5 weeks of age it may be possible to tell the difference between a duck and a drake.
how would u know a duck from a drake i got them 8 weeks ago they are starting to get there feathers and I am curious to know. Marcella
Hi Marcella,
My ducks are coming up to 5 weeks [...]
