Call Duck Dominance?

[Kb1220]

Hi Everyone,

My 4 male calls are about 1 year old. They have always been together and live in a large 8x14ft pen. Recently, the smaller ones have been pecking at the largest ones neck. This has resulted in his feathers falling out (or being pecked out) on the back of his neck. It actually looks like someone buzzed his neck with a razor. Should we be concerned? Is this a dominance thing? Should I take him to the vet or is there anything I can do? Hope you can help! Thanks!

 

[Kevin565]

Do you have any females in that pen?

 

[Kb1220]

Also will this affect him being able to swim or go in water while its still cold out? We live in Ma.

 

[Kb1220]

There are no females. I got them as babies so the breeder didn't know their sex and I ended up with 4 males.

 

[Kevin565]

Have you seen them mount each other at all?

 

[Kb1220]

A few times they have in the water. It's been below freezing here so we haven't been able to give them anything to swim in. About a week ago we were able to give them a small bucket with water for them to swim in and that's when this all started.

 

[Kevin565]

The feather could be related to trying to mount the larger ones. My drakes used to lose feathers like that when they were kept with each other instead of females.

 

[Kb1220]

Ok thanks that's what I figured. Will they grow back fine?

 

[Kevin565]

Mine always did. If I had one that would be too rough with the others I would just separate that one for a couple days.