Chickens are bullying my ducks!

[PaulaO]

A few days ago one of our Khaki Campbell ducks died. I'm not sure, it may have been the heat (although, she died in the early morning?) Since then, my other two Khaki Campbell's are being bullied by my chickens (about 5 months old, a Rhode Island Red, Leghorn, and an Americauna.) They have always free-ranged together and gotten along fine, until Senorita died. The Rhode Island Red seems to be the ring leader and puffs up at the ducks and chases them, until I chase her with a hose on full blast that is. My ducks are terrified and quacking all the time. Any ideas, is this normal flock upheaval? I live in a postage stamp size yard and am afraid that my neighbors are going to complain. Any ideas, on how to create peace again??

 

[Quack Shack]

Sounds like Senorita kept the bossey Reds at bay and she know that she is now uncontested queen of all. Unless one of the other ducks assumes the role left vacant by Senorita, the pecking order has been re-established and your ducks are on the bottom. My RIR, Rizzo, runs my yard like a drill sargeant and only when my ducks got larger than her did the pecking and chasing subside. Have you considered a drake? They are usually quieter than the girls and well, he may just put Ms. RIR in her place! Good luck!