Bully Duckling

[ShyanneW]

Hi all!
I posted a thread a few days ago about an injured ducking (it had the tip of one of it’s blood feathers taken off somehow)

I brushed it off as a space issue, cleaned the wound, and moved the three ducklings out into their coop. Well, now, two days later, my two bigger ducklings (all are the same age, one is just smaller than the other two) now have both tips of both wings bloodied up in the same way.

So my question is, could it be the little one bullying the bigger two? Or do they pluck feathers themselves? And if it is the little one bullying, does that mean I need to get rid of him/her?

I’ve attached a picture of them below, the potential bully in question is on the left of the group

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think this is just part of growing up and those new feathers look awfully inviting. They sure look happy together. Have you actually seen bullying? I think I'd give them time.

 

[Isaac 0]

They are adorable!

X2 on what Miss Lydia said.

 

[ShyanneW]

I think this is just part of growing up and those new feathers look awfully inviting. They sure look happy together. Have you actually seen bullying? I think I'd give them time.

I took them out of the coop for a field trip to watch their behavior today and I did notice that the little one walks over the other ones, pecks/picks at them and was stealing food right out of their mouths. I’ll definitely give it tome because I love the little heads, was just looking for some other more experienced Duck parent advice!

 

[Miss Lydia]

They can sure be butt heads at times. Do they have pool time or is it still too cool? Or bath tub time?

 

[ShyanneW]

They can sure be butt heads at times. Do they have pool time or is it still too cool? Or bath tub time?

It’s still too cold here in Maine for a pool, but I bring them in every day for a bath, and once they’re dry, they go back out.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do they have access to heat of any kind outside? They look awfully young to be outside with out.

 

[ShyanneW]

Do they have access to heat of any kind outside? They look awfully young to be outside with out.

Yes they do, when I moved them out, their heat lamp went with them

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s great! We’ll keep us updated on how they are doing. Give them a lot of exercise daily if you can that will wear them out so maybe picking will be last on the list of must dos.

 

[ShyanneW]

That’s great! We’ll keep us updated on how they are doing. Give them a lot of exercise daily if you can that will wear them out so maybe picking will be last on the list of must dos.

Yes! Like I said above, I only moved them out because they had outgrown the brooder and I thought the picking may have been a space issue. Hoping they figure it out on their own with the outdoors and having more space ...