Because of the continued complaint investigations, we have been
banned from making any further alterations or adjustments on or in the property so cannot expand the run, nor can divide the garden as was our plan to have ducks one side, chickens the other, to protect the chickens when the boys reached sexual maturity. The boys have reached sexual maturity they are fine with us and are as they have always been but they have become vicious towards the chickens. Pedro was taking a drink out of one of their pools, all four crept up behind her, surrounded her and started biting her, they had her trapped, she couldn't go forward bcos of the pool couldn't go to the side nor backward as she had each duck hen either side of her and the two boys behind her, I was there so it lasted only as long as it took me to get to them which was seconds. They did the same to Roo, tried to with Lilah but she pecks them so they are scared of her and run off, then a couple of days ago as I was busy filling their water dishes, the two drakes managed to corner Jellybean they both were biting her then one drake began to mount her but I was able to stop him before he had the chance to do so but from what I saw my belief is that both would have bred her if they had the chance to. They haven't tried to do so since but they are picking on her relentlessly. We don't leave them unattended and when we are indoors i.e. having lunch, we put the chickens in the run and left the ducks in the garden. We can't leave the ducks in the run bcos without the planned extension it is too small, plus their pools are in the garden, so its the chickens who have to be put in the run, which isn't fair on them as they have done nothing wrong. So after much discussion we have decided that without the extension, renovations and dividing of the garden, we have no option but to re-home the ducks for the safety and welfare of our chickens. We have a place for them with a guy who takes in unwanted and rescue ducks - he has a stream run through his property which they all swim on, he has several dogs running around during the day which guard against foxes and he has a great big barn which he locks them in for the night. I am worried and scared they will get bullied by the other ducks, I am worried and scared they'll get hurt or killed, I am worried other drakes will fight my boys for the girls, I'm just worried completely. I've asked for regular updates and I've asked for pictures at least a couple of times a year, which has been agreed. I don't know if they will allow visits in the future as they are not an open farm, park or petting zoo they are just ordinary people who love ducks so, I need to ask about that. They are a 3 hour drive away and my daughters ex has agreed to drive them there with my daughter (I'm too weepy and wouldn't be able to handle it so I'll stay home with my grandson) we are just waiting on our next pay check to be able to pay petrol and to make a donation to the rescue people, so my beloved ducks will be gone within the next week or two. We have been offered a place for our chickens but I'm not handing them over to anyone unless or until a court orders me to and so far all has gone quiet yet again. My mum rang the boss of the guy who came to mine and had a go at him telling him she is appalled at the way this has been handled, she also had a go at him for not contacting her and my dad at all and has demanded a meeting with the guy I had a meeting with, she was told they would get him to ring her to arrange a meeting but she still hasn't heard anything yet. I am still at praying I will at least get to keep my girls.
well done 
