I bought a trio (two female and one male) of Abacot Rangers. Apart from two eggs when they first arrived, I have had no other eggs. After talking to other duck owners, I gather this is quite normal. But it is Nigel, my male, I wonder about. I have never seen him trying to mate with either of the girls.
Q – I bought a trio (two female and one male) of Abacot Rangers. Apart from two eggs when they first arrived, I have had no other eggs. After talking to other duck owners, I gather this is quite normal. But it is Nigel, my male, I wonder about. I have never seen him trying to mate with either of the girls. They have a pool of water they can all go in together and I change it every day and they look very healthy and happy. His marking and foot colour show that he is definitely a male. Should he be trying to mate with them at this time of year, or is it mainly when ducks are laying?
Kind regards
CorrineA – Hello Corrine, Rare birds are rare for a reason, and usually it is because their laying and fertility is limited to the optimum time for chick/duckling survival – they won’t want to be producing young at this time of year and the drake’s fertility will be low.
Although ducks have a reputation for being rapacious, I wonder if yours will not want to waste energy on what is a hopeless task in the autumn/winter season.
Do you know who bred these in the first place? Have they got any more specific breed information?
If you do get lucky next season, send us a picture.
Regards,
Pammy Riggs
