2 ducklings aggressively ganging up on my adult duck

[CayugaDuckMomOfTwo]

I always find the most unexpected one to charge the adults too. My most timid runner in my brooder was the first to chase my adults. She is now currently the smallest and the most easy going.

My rouen is the bigger bully now, and she's also the one that only likes my boyfriend and yells if I try to hold her or touch her I'm also getting suspicious of her actually being a him. I think I might be starting to see a green sheen on the brown strip on the top of Kijor's head. Fingers crossed we sexed Demeter correctly as female though!

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

You got great advice as I do the see no touch for awhile as well
But one thing I do with treats instead of a bowl I throw the peas , meal worms , cat food ect on the grass all over so they all can get some. This has worked really well for me so far

 

[CayugaDuckMomOfTwo]

You got great advice as I do the see no touch for awhile as well
But one thing I do with treats instead of a bowl I throw the peas , meal worms , cat food ect on the grass all over so they all can get some. This has worked really well for me so far

Thank you! I'll definitely give that a try

 

[Quatie]

My rouen is the bigger bully now, and she's also the one that only likes my boyfriend and yells if I try to hold her or touch her I'm also getting suspicious of her actually being a him. I think I might be starting to see a green sheen on the brown strip on the top of Kijor's head. Fingers crossed we sexed Demeter correctly as female though!

If it is a drake, he shouldn't show his coloring till about 10-12 weeks old when he molts into his adult plumage. Sound is still the best way to tell at that age. Hopefully you get another female.

But ducks can be funny sometimes. There are some ducks that prefer me and others that prefer my husband. And a lot of them changed as they age. A unsocial duck in the brooder can be social outside or visa versa. I remember when our drake was a ducklings, he would scream his little head off everytime we picked him up. Now he is super social and really easy to handle if we need to. That took over a year to get that way, so give them time.

 

[CayugaDuckMomOfTwo]

If it is a drake, he shouldn't show his coloring till about 10-12 weeks old when he molts into his adult plumage. Sound is still the best way to tell at that age. Hopefully you get another female.

But ducks can be funny sometimes. There are some ducks that prefer me and others that prefer my husband. And a lot of them changed as they age. A unsocial duck in the brooder can be social outside or visa versa. I remember when our drake was a ducklings, he would scream his little head off everytime we picked him up. Now he is super social and really easy to handle if we need to. That took over a year to get that way, so give them time.

Luckily Demeter is sounding like a quacky female, but Kijora (the rouen) is still quite "peepy" so it's hard to tell. It's a waiting game. That's good to know about their plumage. I've only had Cayugas until now.
Demeter is a sweetheart in the brooder, but wants nothing to do with me outside. It's fun watching their personalities change. My Cayugas switched up who was the sweet one at around 4 months old. Grace didn't want affection in the brooder, but then became my angel that would come over and plop down on my lap outside wanting love, and would wag her tail like a dog. Ducks are the best, and I'm thankful for their love, and to have been able to learn so much about them.

 

[CayugaDuckMomOfTwo]

I'll start with the good news that Frankie and the ducklings are all becoming a happy flock. But then I just received tragic news yet again last night. The vet said her recheck bloodwork came back worse, and thinks there might be an infection in her bones. She goes back in on Friday for radiographs. Please send positive/ healing energy her way

 

[Quatie]

I'll start with the good news that Frankie and the ducklings are all becoming a happy flock. But then I just received tragic news yet again last night. The vet said her recheck bloodwork came back worse, and thinks there might be an infection in her bones. She goes back in on Friday for radiographs. Please send positive/ healing energy her way

That is wonderful to hear that they are getting along. They do all look happy together.

I am so sorry to hear about Frankie. I hope everything goes well on Friday and the vet can help make things better.

 

[Buckingham Palace]

Sending all the luck I can your way. I hope she gets better soon.

 

[CayugaDuckMomOfTwo]

Thank you so much. Have you or anyone you all know that's had similar circumstances with your ducks?
I wish I had the bloodwork to share. I'm going to be worried to death until Friday when she gets radiographs. I hope and pray she's going to make it, and can be treated successfully. She's been happy again since the ducklings live outside with her now. Our family started to feel somewhat happy again. I can't believe this is happening, and the fact it's two separate issues my Cayugas have. I can't lose my Frankie too.
I have read so much about ducks online, and they all say ducks are hardy animals. I never expected to lose one, and now possibly two before they are even a year old.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh my gosh I sure hope this is something they can treat successfully. Please keep us updated.

So happy to hear Frankie and the ducklings are hitting it off now.