Advice pls?

[CHinsz]

Hi there - I have 4 ducks total. 1 amazing Muscovy (presumed male) and 3 Runners (2 female … unsure of gender of 3rd Runner).

Background : the 1 Runner (unknown gender. Used to honk like crazy, but had since stopped. Still vocal but more raspy. No curl in tail. Bossy. Approx 11 weeks old)

Question: this Runner pecks at my Muscovy sometimes. Nothing crazy just a jab sometimes. When Monkey (Muscovy) gets a drink from the fountain etc.

This morning I noticed that Monkey has a bare spot (no blood or broken skin) near his eye. (I also have a nylon wrap on him to aid in beginning/minor angel wing. Monkey is 9.5 weeks old.)

Do I need to worry? Separate them yet? Think about rehoming? Is this just normal ducky behaviour, sorting out who’s boss etc.

Thank you for any feedback. Photo is of my Monkey who is always up for a snuggle he also has a bent neck, so I feel like he’s a bit of an underdog …. Love him to bits

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

I love this picture. If I recall correctly from my waterfowl days, it is normal behavior. I also had a duck with angel wing so fed him a little oats daily to reduce protein intake and it fixed itself. Not sure what to do for bent neck.

 

[CHinsz]

I love this picture. If I recall correctly from my waterfowl days, it is normal behavior. I also had a duck with angel wing so fed him a little oats daily to reduce protein intake and it fixed itself. Not sure what to do for bent neck.

Thank u!! Yes I’m not concerned about the neck or wing - more asking about whether I need to worry about the bit of bullying. So odd tho. They lie right beside each other too. Seems to be the most pecking at the fountain …

 

[HollowOfWisps]

What you are describing is normal pecking order behavior. Unless they are preventing the others from eating/drinking, drawing blood or other injuries then it is nothing to worry about. The bald spot near the eye is from molting in adult feathers.

 

[CHinsz]

What you are describing is normal pecking order behavior. Unless they are preventing the others from eating/drinking, drawing blood or other injuries then it is nothing to worry about. The bald spot near the eye is from molting in adult feathers.

Thank you for your reply - molting at 9.5 weeks?

 

[Chiccenlover]

Maybe you could try old Macdonalds stop that peckin’ spray? It’s used on chickens but will prob work on ducks

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Thank you for your reply - molting at 9.5 weeks?

Yep. In your picture see those extra fluffy down feathers all over the back of your ducks head, on the shoulders, side of chest and lower stomach? Those are baby feathers that still need to fall out and fill in with adult feathers.

 

[CHinsz]

Yep. In your picture see those extra fluffy down feathers all over the back of your ducks head, on the shoulders, side of chest and lower stomach? Those are baby feathers that still need to fall out and fill in with adult feathers.

Oh yes I know - this pic is from 2 weeks ago maybe…. But yes ok the fluff. I’ll watch and not worry then. thank you!!!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I also had a duck with angel wing so fed him a little oats daily to reduce protein intake and it fixed itself.

Protein doesn't cause angel wing.. excess low nutrient energy (aka calories) from any source including carbohydrates does.. Possibly coupled with genetics.

https://naturemuseum.org/2016/05/what-is-angel-wing-syndrome/

https://www.metzerfarms.com/angel-wing.html

https://www.westplace.org/post/what-is-angel-wing

Proper feed guidelines for ducks and geese of various ages are included here..

https://www.metzerfarms.com/nutritional-requirements.html

Hi there - I have 4 ducks total. 1 amazing Muscovy (presumed male) and 3 Runners (2 female … unsure of gender of 3rd Runner).

Hi there!

Sounds like a fun tribe!

I agree with hollowofwisps it sounds like normal behavior and several mini molts happen on the way to adult feathering.

Did you know that Muscovy aren't a true duck but more closely related to geese? They can cross breed but progeny will be infertile. The usual separation of species described in the following link is unlikely in your set up..

https://wgme.com/news/local/what-is-a-muscovy-and-why-you-might-want-one

https://afs.ca.uky.edu/poultry/duck

A bent neck (or wry neck) and angel wing.. makes me question feed routine, out of concern for so much misinformation being so wide spread.

Hope he recovers quickly and they all continue to thrive!

 

[CHinsz]

Protein doesn't cause angel wing.. excess low nutrient energy (aka calories) from any source including carbohydrates does.. Possibly coupled with genetics.

https://naturemuseum.org/2016/05/what-is-angel-wing-syndrome/

https://www.metzerfarms.com/angel-wing.html

https://www.westplace.org/post/what-is-angel-wing

Proper feed guidelines for ducks and geese of various ages are included here..

https://www.metzerfarms.com/nutritional-requirements.html


Hi there!

Sounds like a fun tribe!

I agree with hollowofwisps it sounds like normal behavior and several mini molts happen on the way to adult feathering.

Did you know that Muscovy aren't a true duck but more closely related to geese? They can cross breed but progeny will be infertile. The usual separation of species described in the following link is unlikely in your set up..

https://wgme.com/news/local/what-is-a-muscovy-and-why-you-might-want-one

https://afs.ca.uky.edu/poultry/duck

A bent neck (or wry neck) and angel wing.. makes me question feed routine, out of concern for so much misinformation being so wide spread.

Hope he recovers quickly and they all continue to thrive!

Hey there. Yes! I did know that about Muscovys! What a great bird tho! I so enjoy this little guy.

And I have just changed out their feed. Perhaps it was not what they needed. I’ll give it some time and see if the angel wing resolves. I hope so! He has a long life ahead of him