Can I separate my male duck from the females?

[bellamoran27]

I have one male duck, a pekin named Penelope, and four female ducks - buff (Zucchini), pekin (Angel), runner (Velvet), and rouen (Sierra). I know that four females is the ideal amount to go in with a male, but ever since they've gotten old enough to mate, the male has been very aggressive with the females. It's not just mating at this point, but he can be seen pinning them down or pushing them around just to prove his dominance? This morning he was holding Zucchini's neck against their water bucket while Angel was attempting to push between the two to help out her friend. We don't want fertilized eggs and this male seems to be a bully. Whether or not this is normal male behavior, I don't want my girls to be miserable. I also want to add that Angel and Zucchini didn't grow up with the other three (we got them about a month after) and they've been picked on a lot by Penelope and Velvet. Sierra was always a friend to them. Would it be cruel to take Penelope out and put him in a separate pen?

 

[DuckyDonna]

I have one male duck, a pekin named Penelope, and four female ducks - buff (Zucchini), pekin (Angel), runner (Velvet), and rouen (Sierra). I know that four females is the ideal amount to go in with a male, but ever since they've gotten old enough to mate, the male has been very aggressive with the females. It's not just mating at this point, but he can be seen pinning them down or pushing them around just to prove his dominance? This morning he was holding Zucchini's neck against their water bucket while Angel was attempting to push between the two to help out her friend. We don't want fertilized eggs and this male seems to be a bully. Whether or not this is normal male behavior, I don't want my girls to be miserable. I also want to add that Angel and Zucchini didn't grow up with the other three (we got them about a month after) and they've been picked on a lot by Penelope and Velvet. Sierra was always a friend to them. Would it be cruel to take Penelope out and put him in a separate pen?

I would! Is there one of the girls that he is good buddies with that he won't hurt? If so, there is a good possibility you could put her in with him so he wouldn't be lonely and they'll be able to hang out together while the others are at peace.

I had a situation like that last spring. My one drake was ripping my 6 girl's neck feathers out. Apparently 6 girls weren't enough for him. Anyway, he is such a sweet little thing and I hated having him be all by himself because he was so sad. He was best buds with Dilly since he came to us so I put Dilly in with him and things were just fine after that. They were together night and day and he didn't hurt Dilly.

 

[Ratchnick]

You can do that, maybe put the pens side by side so they can see each other. You might think about getting rid of him if you don't want his "services".

 

[chickens really]

I d get rid of him if you don't need a Drake. He is not going to change and possibly become more aggressive in his behaviour.

 

[bellamoran27]

I would! Is there one of the girls that he is good buddies with that he won't hurt? If so, there is a good possibility you could put her in with him so he wouldn't be lonely and they'll be able to hang out together while the others are at peace.

I had a situation like that last spring. My one drake was ripping my 6 girl's neck feathers out. Apparently 6 girls weren't enough for him. Anyway, he is such a sweet little thing and I hated having him be all by himself because he was so sad. He was best buds with Dilly since he came to us so I put Dilly in with him and things were just fine after that. They were together night and day and he didn't hurt Dilly.

Thanks! I'll try that, all of the ducks love Sierra so I'll put those two together and see how things go.

 

[Miss Lydia]