- Jul 10, 2010
- 11
- 1
- 22
I have a Blue Runner drake whom I adore. He is so friendly to me and comes right up and nuzzles me. We have been bonded since he came to me at 4months old last fall (I didn't raise him from a baby, which is why I was surprised he took to me so easily). He has two girl Cayuga ducks and a female mallard in his flock.
The female mallard went broody and was on a nest of unfertilized chicken eggs, so I slipped some Cayuga eggs under her and she hatched out six beautiful Cayuga/Runner mixes. We brooded them in the bathtub at night and gave them an outdoor run because the Runner (named Silver) was not letting the mallard alone and tumbling the babies all around.
Now, the babies are 6 weeks, and they are almost full grown. For the past two weeks, I have been trying to integrate them all.
The male runner attacks them indiscriminately and steps on them --they are basically terrified of him. I have them in the same duck house at night with a screen in between the old and new ducks to keep them apart but still in view. I don't want to pen them up--all my birds (chickens and ducks) are completely free range. I thought after two weeks or more, Silver would mellow out. He hasn't.
WIll I ever have a happy flock or will he always attack them? He has given two of the babies bald spots under their wings from his claws when he stands on them. It's so hard because I adore that drake, but I love those babies and don't want them frightened. When they are free, he will drive them into the woods where they will hide all day.
Any advice??
thank you!
Tracey in Vermont
The female mallard went broody and was on a nest of unfertilized chicken eggs, so I slipped some Cayuga eggs under her and she hatched out six beautiful Cayuga/Runner mixes. We brooded them in the bathtub at night and gave them an outdoor run because the Runner (named Silver) was not letting the mallard alone and tumbling the babies all around.
Now, the babies are 6 weeks, and they are almost full grown. For the past two weeks, I have been trying to integrate them all.
The male runner attacks them indiscriminately and steps on them --they are basically terrified of him. I have them in the same duck house at night with a screen in between the old and new ducks to keep them apart but still in view. I don't want to pen them up--all my birds (chickens and ducks) are completely free range. I thought after two weeks or more, Silver would mellow out. He hasn't.
WIll I ever have a happy flock or will he always attack them? He has given two of the babies bald spots under their wings from his claws when he stands on them. It's so hard because I adore that drake, but I love those babies and don't want them frightened. When they are free, he will drive them into the woods where they will hide all day.
Any advice??
thank you!
Tracey in Vermont
