Chicken Killing New Ducks

[Indiana Dunn]

I had one of my hens kill one of three new ducks I put in their pen. They already have other ducks in there, and are used to them. I kept the new ducks separated in the pen for a few days and separated the one hen as well when I noticed her picking on the ducks once I let them out. I let the hen out yesterday and she didn’t pick on them until after I had left this morning and ended up killing one of the ducks. I separated her again but I’m not sure what to do with her in the long run. I don’t want to risk another life by letting her out again if she’s still going to pick on them. What should I do with her? None of my other hens mind the ducks except the one.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

A few days of seeing a new animal sometimes isn't enough. A birds instinct is to drive out intruders. Either remove the aggressor for a few weeks to where she can continue to see them or remove the ducks. Sometimes integration takes a long while. Generally I expect it to take at least 4-8 weeks.

 

[chickens really]

Are you sure the Hen killed the new Duck?.How many Ducks do you have? How many Drakes? I'm thinking another Duck killed it and the chickens pecked it.

 

[Indiana Dunn]

Are you sure the Hen killed the new Duck?.How many Ducks do you have? How many Drakes? I'm thinking another Duck killed it and the chickens pecked it.

We don’t have any drakes, just two older females. They try to avoid the new ducks if the come near them so I don’t know if they would’ve done it.