And the problems have begun...

[aduckstolemyheart]

My hope for a peaceful flock is looking dismal. Of the two ducklings, only the Pekin is female, and so that left 2 drakes and a hen. Now my little black and white duckling/drake is getting picked on by Bella, my big drake. I noticed it yesterday when they were in the pool, Bella would go after the little guy and bite his back. Out of the pool there did not seem to be any problems. Today I checked on them again and all the down feathers are gone and his back looks a bit red. Now all the poor guy has is his big feathers coming in and they have a ways to go. He seemed a bit cold so I brought him in and warmed him up, fed him an egg and he seems to be ok.

His activity level is a bit low today again too. Is it safe to assume that his down loss was from being picked on? Now what do I do? I really don't want to part with either one of the boys.

How do I keep them from bickering? I intend to get another hen as soon as I find one, but I am still not sure that wlll help much.

why can't men get along without bickering? Er, I mean Drakes, yeah.

 

[ChickenToes]

2 drakes and 1 hen is not a good combination. As she gets older, they'll fight over her and overmate her. You can separate the older drake, or get rid of one of them.

 

[Amiga]

Aside from getting rid of a drake, you could think about getting not one more female, but about five more would give each drake three (average). That is the minimum some people recommend.

Tough situation. I would keep the boys separated while I pondered what to do. The female's wellbeing and safety are seriously at risk.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

Luckilly they don't bother her at all, it's just the boys right now, and actually, only my adult. And he has not been bad all the time, it seems they only squabble over the pool.

I am not sure how many ducks I am allowed to have here in the city. I live in the rural area of a city. I know we can have fowl, it just has to be a "small backyard flock" not like a big poultry farm. lol I wish they actually specified the limit.

I could handle maybe 1 or two more females, but that would be it. I am not entirely sure what to do because the hen is very attached to the little drake and we are very attached to Bella too. So it's a lose lose situation.

Anyway that three girls to two boys would be tolerable or is it just wishful thinking?

 

[tia]

I know how you must feel. I keep on trying to introduce my female that had surgery back into the flock. The other females are fine with her, but the drake keeps mating with her and biting her neck. She was all healed up and I tried it again today. I put them all out in the yard and 1 hour goes by and she has a bloody neck. I brought her back inside. I know she is very lonesome. I don't want to get rid of the drake - he gets along with the other 4 females, but wants to pick on her for some reason. I think I might try isolating him from all the girls for a couple of weeks and then he might forget about it... maybe he will think they are all new. Good luck with your guys.... it is hard to part with any of them once you get attached. My drake is show quality and cost a lot... makes it even harder to part with him... but if he keeps picking on my Angel... he is going to be history.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

Sorry to hear you are going through it too! I love all my ducks, and will heart broken to see them go. I also have to admit I developed a big soft spot for the little drake and do NOT want to let him go, but I have had my Bella for so long I could get rid of him.

I plan on adding another girl or two, and just giving things some time...ya never know.

Good luck with your little hen, hope it all goes well!

 

[xke4]

Are they free ranged or in a pen? Mine are free ranged only when I am outside due to a heavy raccoon and coyote population. That way I can also intercept any squabbles. When I am away, they are in their pen which is sectioned off for each drake. Otherwise they would kill each other. Those cute smiley faces are deceiving. They really are nasty boys.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

Nice! I love your set up!

Mine are penned (in a fenced in area of the yard) part of the day but I let them out in the big yard for a while everyday. It seems the ONLY time they have issues in the pool. Other than that I never see them fight, it's the weirdest thing. And luckily no more marks or injuries, just squabbles in the pool.

And yes, the boys sure get nasty!