a group of 5 ducks 1 being ostracised by the males

[Mom2Cool]

Ok so I have 5 ducks 2 of them are Silver applyard duck hens They were a year old this past spring & I'd gotten another 3 ducks that are Khaki Campbells 2 of them are Drakes & 1 a hen, so total there are 5 ducks w/2 of them drakes & 3 of them hens. I had wanted more ducks because the predators here had taken my original group of ducks down to the 2 last winter & I didn't want to end up with a single duck that's lonely. Anyway the Campbells came here last spring & are now full grown & everyone looked to be happy & healthy. From time to time there's been a bit of running around chasing one another but I figured that was them becoming sexually mature & on occasion I've noticed the different breeds break off into different groupings so the Campbells would be off on their own & the same for the appleyards.. Anyway I've noticed recently that 1 of my appleyard hens is being like outted from the group & actually chased out of the group by the Campbell drakes. Originally I thought it was just the 1 drake but now it looks like it's both... Why would they suddenly be behaving this way? I was actually more ready for them to be fighting each other or trying to breed hens too much & thought that would be the reason I'd want to thin out the group. I don't really want that because 1 there's always that threat of a hawk on occassion still & I was kind of looking forward to next spring having some home grown ducklings.... Any words of wisdom from those who know ducks??

 

[Mom2Cool]

Ok so now I'd noticed a couple eggs out by the pond & I'm wondering if maybe the new little hen is starting to lay & that is one of the issues with the drakes? It's just so odd that they'd be chasing away 1 hen like this. If it was for matting purposes then they'd be after all the hens wouldn't they? It was one heck of a long day here in the yard & I'm thinking tomorrow maybe taking a broom to em if it starts again.

 

[Redwood Violet]

Perhaps you need more hens or one less drake. Ducks can be click-y critters so maybe they're just trying to oust her for that reason. It seems like two drakes and three hens could be a problem though. Don't quote me, but a more ideal ratio might be 1 drake for every three to five hens. At least that's what I aim for. Keeps the drama to a minimum and feathers on everybody looking nicer.

 

[tia]

My runner drake has 5 hens and he decided to pick on one of them for a while. I picked him up and held him upside down every once in a while and things have settled down quite a bit. I don't think he likes me much. The other ducks eat peas out of my hand, but I got him as an adult and he never has. I was feeling sorry for him and picked him up and held him and tried to give him a handful of peas... he wouldn't have anything to do with them. He would only eat them if I threw them on the floor of the pen. I guess he is still mad at me.

 

[Mom2Cool]

Thanks for the tips. I had a feeling that it had something to do with the ratio of ducks too but I didn't dream they'd be outting a female, but rather the drakes would be fighting... None of my ducks are hand tame & I'm not sure I could catch em to hold them upside down but I'm thinking maybe I'll just need to pen up the drakes for a while separate & of course today the broom is always an option.... lol So frustrating having birds some times huh? Thanks again all for the tips...