Drake is banned from the duck barn

[DucksOhio]

Okay, I’ve always had issues with one of my older drakes. Today he was just bat**** mean to my other drake. Which I don’t understand as they are both the same age and have lived together for 6 years. He was chasing the other drake (Sparky) away from the rest of the flock.

Sparky is a runner duck, and Drake is a Khaki, so Drake is bigger.

When I put the ducks in this afternoon for dinner, Drake tried to push Sparky out of the barn. No way I’m putting up with that behavior. I picked him up and locked him out of the barn. Now he’s running around the barn quacking.

My thought was to let him cool his heels for a few hours, so that Sparky can get a chance to eat.

Has anyone else had to deal with extreme drake behavior?

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Okay, I’ve always had issues with one of my older drakes. Today he was just bat**** mean to my other drake. Which I don’t understand as they are both the same age and have lived together for 6 years. He was chasing the other drake (Sparky) away from the rest of the flock.

Sparky is a runner duck, and Drake is a Khaki, so Drake is bigger.

When I put the ducks in this afternoon for dinner, Drake tried to push Sparky out of the barn. No way I’m putting up with that behavior. I picked him up and locked him out of the barn. Now he’s running around the barn quacking.

My thought was to let him cool his heels for a few hours, so that Sparky can get a chance to eat.

Has anyone else had to deal with extreme drake behavior?

Right now breeding season is heading into full swing. Their hormones are getting crazy. If you have females, it's even worse because they have 'competition' from each other. It's normal for 2 drakes to get pretty nasty during this time. Just keep an eye on them and make sure it doesn't escalate to hurting the females or each other.

 

[EverythingDucks]

Drakes tend to be a bit aggressive towards other drakes during mating season, especially when there aren't a whole lot of other females. But even with lots of females sometimes they'll both favor the same one.

Some people spray em with a hose when they act up.

 

[DucksOhio]

Drakes tend to be a bit aggressive towards other drakes during mating season, especially when there aren't a whole lot of other females. But even with lots of females sometimes they'll both favor the same one.

Some people spray em with a hose when they act up.

I have 8 girls...plenty for the drakes. Yes, I guess it’s spring, but this is new behavior even for him. I just pray he lets up on the other drake tomorrow.

 

[DucksOhio]

Okay I felt sorry for him. He’s back in the barn.

 

[alpinewelsummer]

I know this is a few weeks old now but I just want to say that your boys may want more girls if they're still competing with each other. Some drakes have a higher "drive" than the traditional 1:4 ratio covers. I'm no expert but it might not hurt to add some more ladies.

8 hens is already a lot for someone to handle though, and it might be unreasonable for your situation to add more, so you might instead consider keeping just one drake, or swapping your drakes for some less ""driven"" ones, if the problem continues!

 

[Lilbitsnpieces]

I had to "chose" a drake..i keep my main breeder and then narrow down to on e other..but i do have to separate them. I let the mating drake with females until eggs hatch. Then drakes are put into separate area from girls til babies are 8 weeks... visually they can see each other but not touch..the drakes are locked in dog kennel at night placed in duck house..