Conflict within Daphne’s flock - need ideas!

[Miss Lydia]

There don’t appear to be any at rescues nearby, but I have officially put the word out on the “Front Porch Forum”, which is a neighborhood online daily newsletter of sorts, that I am looking for 1-2 older mallard-derived hens. I can create separate quarters for quarantine + areas to get to know each other without touching within the barn. For now, Daphne is in the stall, while the ‘Scovettes are outside the stall in the main barn. They have respected her space and, while they do roost on the walls on the stall, they are leaving her alone. She is a bit beat up, but is her usual spunky and loud self. I’m hoping that someone will have older girls that no longer lay many eggs that they are willing to regime. We will see!

Edited to add: My Muscovy girls are definitely feisty! There’s a reason they were nicknamed Goon 1 and Goon 2 in the beginning. Most of the time, however, it can be managed. I certainly don’t blame them for being who they are. I just think that Daphne needs backup on “Team Mallard-Derived”.

What's funny now is My Runner females will bully the scovy girls. Head down kind of charge but never touch. The Runners have to sleep in a separate room from the scovy. Only one scovy female will actually get hold of a Runner and it's the one who hatched them. She also sleeps on their side of the coop, so I take her actions as disciplining her children. lol

 

[KaleIAm]

What's funny now is My Runner females will bully the scovy girls. Head down kind of charge but never touch. The Runners have to sleep in a separate room from the scovy. Only one scovy female will actually get hold of a Runner and it's the one who hatched them. She also sleeps on their side of the coop, so I take her actions as disciplining her children. lol

Duck drama. Lol. The things we deal with for our quacky babies.

 

[Miss Lydia]

For sure they are very entertaining! lol

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Tough situation! I don't know how much space you have available and many ducks you could and want to keep…
I would order two or three White Layer ducks (girls only!) from Metzer Farms. White Layers, because they are a really peaceful breed, yet large and heavy enough not to be bullied around. They grow really quickly, not so fast as Pekin ducks and so far i have not seen any problems with their legs or hips. Make sure that the other ducks have lots and lots of contact with the little ones, especially Daphne and when they are 3-4 weeks old, i would try to keep Daphne together with the young ducks. They will be large enough so that Daphne would not bully them around (which i believe Daphne would never do!) and the young ducks will accept her as a surrogate momma, leader duck. And maybe those white ducks will remind her to Margie and she can accept them.
Then keep the Goons and the Mallards separate if you can.

 

[KaleIAm]

Tough situation! I don't know how much space you have available and many ducks you could and want to keep…
I would order two or three White Layer ducks (girls only!) from Metzer Farms. White Layers, because they are a really peaceful breed, yet large and heavy enough not to be bullied around. They grow really quickly, not so fast as Pekin ducks and so far i have not seen any problems with their legs or hips. Make sure that the other ducks have lots and lots of contact with the little ones, especially Daphne and when they are 3-4 weeks old, i would try to keep Daphne together with the young ducks. They will be large enough so that Daphne would not bully them around (which i believe Daphne would never do!) and the young ducks will accept her as a surrogate momma, leader duck. And maybe those white ducks will remind her to Margie and she can accept them.
Then keep the Goons and the Mallards separate if you can.

Do you know if white layers have reproductive issues?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Do you know if white layers have reproductive issues?

Mine have none! They are hybrid ducks, i don't know what Metzer is using to breed them, but in general hybrid individuals are more healthy and stronger than clean-bread's. - That makes the »bastard« a compliment, does it?
See her: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosis

 

[KaleIAm]

Mine have none! They are hybrid ducks, i don't know what Metzer is using to breed them, but in general hybrid individuals are more healthy and stronger than clean-bread's. - That makes the »bastard« a compliment, does it?
See her: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosis

Thanks! I've had a lot of health issues with my ducks. How old are yours?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Thanks! I've had a lot of health issues with my ducks. How old are yours?

Blanca and Earthquack will be two years old by the end of the month and Fluffy and Flauschi will be five months. I had one issue with Bazilla Duck last summer when she overheated and had leg-cramps. But that was it. Healthy and feisty ducks. - Sadly Alba and Bazilla disappeared without a trace last summer. - I do suspect the neighbors dog now…

 

[KaleIAm]

Blanca and Earthquack will be two years old by the end of the month and Fluffy and Flauschi will be five months. I had one issue with Bazilla Duck last summer when she overheated and had leg-cramps. But that was it. Healthy and feisty ducks. - Sadly Alba and Bazilla disappeared without a trace last summer. - I do suspect the neighbors dog now…

Sorry to hear about Alba and Bazilla. . That's so sad.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Tough situation! I don't know how much space you have available and many ducks you could and want to keep…
I would order two or three White Layer ducks (girls only!) from Metzer Farms. White Layers, because they are a really peaceful breed, yet large and heavy enough not to be bullied around. They grow really quickly, not so fast as Pekin ducks and so far i have not seen any problems with their legs or hips. Make sure that the other ducks have lots and lots of contact with the little ones, especially Daphne and when they are 3-4 weeks old, i would try to keep Daphne together with the young ducks. They will be large enough so that Daphne would not bully them around (which i believe Daphne would never do!) and the young ducks will accept her as a surrogate momma, leader duck. And maybe those white ducks will remind her to Margie and she can accept them.
Then keep the Goons and the Mallards separate if you can.

I would definitely consider having Daphne raise her own friends. However, January in Vermont is sadly a very bad time to order little ones. Even if they did get here ok, I lack a safe and warm place to keep them until they are fully feathered. Even the basement is out as it is the favorite sleeping and prowling area of my youngest cat, who is also my most accomplished hunter.

However, I do have news.... see below!