Continuously Breaking Feathers

[sierraforest]

Our two Anconas, both females, are bonded and seem loving in every way except when one (Connie) yanks on the right wing feathers of the other (Julie) when they're in their pond. Often, Connie breaks Julie's feathers and makes her bleed—when Connie yanks, she does so perpendicular to Julie's body. I've read multiple books and countless blogs but can't find an answer to my question: Is there any way to stop Connie from pulling and breaking Julie's feathers?

For more context about their relationship, Julie is the one who mounts Connie when they're in their pond (we've never seen Connie mount Julie) and dunks Connie's head under the water at the same time, but Connie is more assertive, quacks a bit louder, and seems to be the leader between the two. Let me know if I should think of any other info to provide, and thank you all!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Add another duck? What are you feeding? How much room do they have?

I have seen female ducks get frustrated without a male around.

 

[sierraforest]

Add another duck? What are you feeding? How much room do they have?

I have seen female ducks get frustrated without a male around.

Their base mix is black oil sunflower seeds, white proso millet, chipped sunflower seeds, red millet, crushed peanuts, and buckwheat; they forage/free-range at least 3 hours each day, and for treats get seasonal fruit, some greens, and black soldier fly larvae. Their house is 80 sq. ft. and they bed down in a dog house inside of the enclosure. They have "pond" access every day in a large heavy duty Rubbermaid tank. Thank you for responding!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's a fatty diet. You would be better off offering a good all flock or flock raiser ration, with occasional treats. They may be craving something in the diet which can bring out some aggressive behaviors sometimes.

Black oil sunflower seeds are extremely fatty and can cause internal fat to build up. It can lead to things like a prolapse. I learned that lesson the hard way with my turkeys.

 

[sierraforest]

That's a fatty diet. You would be better off offering a good all flock or flock raiser ration, with occasional treats. They may be craving something in the diet which can bring out some aggressive behaviors sometimes.

Black oil sunflower seeds are extremely fatty and can cause internal fat to build up. It can lead to things like a prolapse. I learned that lesson the hard way with my turkeys.

Do you happen to have a resource or website that you trust for nutritional information on the analysis of protein/fiber/fat recommendations for ducks? I can't feed the ducks premixed anything because I'm extremely sensitive to gluten (wheat/rye/barley), corn, and soy, and react negatively to eggs from ducks or chickens who have eaten any of those; but every mix I've ever seen has at least one of those ingredients. I make my own mix based on what farmers I've talked to have fed their ducks with success but as you said, it's possible I'm putting too much black oil sunflower in it. Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

No resources, just a lot of internal fat seen on butchered birds fed a lot of sunflower seeds. Seeds in general are fatty. You need to do what you need to do.

It's possible you are seeing some behaviour problems because you only have two ducks. They only have each other to pick on.

Just offering some ideas.

 

[sierraforest]

No resources, just a lot of internal fat seen on butchered birds fed a lot of sunflower seeds. Seeds in general are fatty. You need to do what you need to do.

It's possible you are seeing some behaviour problems because you only have two ducks. They only have each other to pick on.

Just offering some ideas.

I appreciate it, thank you again! If you happen to know anything about soaking and sprouting seeds, I'd welcome that info. I only just started reading about it and I wonder if doing that would somehow affect fat content. I'm basically thinking out loud and have no idea if this even makes sense.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have read a few threads about sprouting seeds. Maybe do a search in the feeding forum, or ask your question there. Years ago I sprouted seeds for my parakeets to bring them into breeding condition. That's the extend of my experiences with sprouting.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Go to Metzers website on line they have a lot of great info.