Chicken and Duck interaction - bad behavior and changes for the worse?

[Russian Blue]

Generally my chickens and ducks get along fine and don't pay each other much attention. However recently one of my hens has chasing and grabbing the younger ducklings. This chasing goes on for quite awhile. She will get hold of one of the ducklings by a wing or scruff of the neck and hang on with her beak, all while the little duckling cries for help. This happens when they are out free ranging. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Maybe when you aren't watching the duck(male , I presume) has been trying to breed the hen and she has had all she is going to take. You might post on the "Duck thread," but, I think it would just be best to keep your chicken and ducks separated.

 

[NickyKnack]

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC. X2 on drumstick diva's advice.

 

[Russian Blue]

I am not sure why folks are welcoming me, I have been a member since April 2014 and I have posted a few times before. But thanks for the welcome anyway!

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC. X2 on drumstick diva's advice.

 

[Birdrain92]

Generally my chickens and ducks get along fine and don't pay each other much attention. However recently one of my hens has chasing and grabbing the younger ducklings. This chasing goes on for quite awhile. She will get hold of one of the ducklings by a wing or scruff of the neck and hang on with her beak, all while the little duckling cries for help. This happens when they are out free ranging. Anyone have any experience with this?

Has the chicken gone broody before? Sometimes with birds you can get a hen that will try to take babies from others if she's been trying and not successful. She might be trying to adopt them but the ducklings don't want to. Not entirely sure and why this behavior has come up. The only other thing I can think of is a territory dispute. It would be best to keep them separate.

I am not sure why folks are welcoming me, I have been a member since April 2014 and I have posted a few times before. But thanks for the welcome anyway!

Because this is in the New Member Introductions is why you're getting welcomes from us.

 

[NickyKnack]

You posted this in the new member section. That's why.

 

[Russian Blue]

Oops. I guess I don't know what I am doing.

I have only one hen that is mean to ducklings, out of about 50 total hens. I am going to keep them separated until the ducks are big enough to fend off rude chickens.

You posted this in the new member section. That's why.