Drake being aggressive towards his "kids?"

[Carole AM]

I have a runner drake that is the father to several of our ducklings. For the first couple weeks, he followed them and their mother around like one big happy family. However, over the past few days, he has started to chase and nip at some of the ducklings. Is this normal? We never had a family of ducks, with the drake present, before.

 

[bayouchica]

Hi Carole,
I had the same problem, too.My first time with a family of ducks (mallards). The mama duck turned out to to a bad mother & then the drake started chasing the babies.I just penned up the ducklings & now they are older & seem to get along better.

 

[Carole AM]

Thanks---I could do that. I have other immature ducklings too, from the same pair. I don't know if he's being mean to them, or what......