I started up a bachelor flock. I thought I'd done all the relevant research, but I've subsequently learned that I missed a spot. I mixed breeds/sizes...3 call ducks, 2 Indian runner, 1 Jumbo Pekin. I was already in pretty deep when I learned that this is a no-no.
My duck run can be divided without too much trouble, so I figured I'd just monitor closely. At first, everything was great. The Jumbo Pekin took over in the first 5 minutes, and everyone else seemed content to obey his every command. It was weird, and a little disturbing, but it worked. He was, in his own way, a benevolent fascist, keeping everyone in deep cover when they went outside.
A few weeks ago, as we were preparing to evacuate for the hurricane, the happy little tribe descended into chaos. The call ducks began challenging and provoking Moby Duck as their drake feathers came in. He responded with a brutal crackdown, the worst of which fell on the Indian runners for no obvious reason.
Everyone was fine when we got back, but the conflict had intensified. Lots of biting, feather pulling, attempted drownings, and mounting.
OK, rookie mistake. Get the Jumbo Pekin out. Done. That fixed...nothing. The call ducks fell out among themselves. I figured they would just work that out with a new pecking order. No. I came home to find one little man with no feathers on his chest at all, and no intention of backing down. The two of them appeared to have murder in their hearts.
I broke that up, so now I have my pen in three sections: two healthy calls, Moby Duck, and everyone else. I thought I'd give them a few days to chill out in little groups.
Moby Duck is fine being through-the-fence buddies. Put them together...it's a cage match.
Trying to figure out where I'm headed with this. Current setup is not sustainable over the long haul. What are your thoughts? Do they just need more time apart, or is it time to vote some people off the island? If I get rid of the most aggressive ducks, is that just setting up the next power vacuum?
Also, how marketable is a hyper-dominant Jumbo Pekin? Am I just setting him up to get dumped in a duck pond by someone else?
Thanks!
My duck run can be divided without too much trouble, so I figured I'd just monitor closely. At first, everything was great. The Jumbo Pekin took over in the first 5 minutes, and everyone else seemed content to obey his every command. It was weird, and a little disturbing, but it worked. He was, in his own way, a benevolent fascist, keeping everyone in deep cover when they went outside.
A few weeks ago, as we were preparing to evacuate for the hurricane, the happy little tribe descended into chaos. The call ducks began challenging and provoking Moby Duck as their drake feathers came in. He responded with a brutal crackdown, the worst of which fell on the Indian runners for no obvious reason.
Everyone was fine when we got back, but the conflict had intensified. Lots of biting, feather pulling, attempted drownings, and mounting.
OK, rookie mistake. Get the Jumbo Pekin out. Done. That fixed...nothing. The call ducks fell out among themselves. I figured they would just work that out with a new pecking order. No. I came home to find one little man with no feathers on his chest at all, and no intention of backing down. The two of them appeared to have murder in their hearts.
I broke that up, so now I have my pen in three sections: two healthy calls, Moby Duck, and everyone else. I thought I'd give them a few days to chill out in little groups.
Moby Duck is fine being through-the-fence buddies. Put them together...it's a cage match.
Trying to figure out where I'm headed with this. Current setup is not sustainable over the long haul. What are your thoughts? Do they just need more time apart, or is it time to vote some people off the island? If I get rid of the most aggressive ducks, is that just setting up the next power vacuum?
Also, how marketable is a hyper-dominant Jumbo Pekin? Am I just setting him up to get dumped in a duck pond by someone else?
Thanks!
