Drake Isolating Himself

[Hogan14]

Almost makes me wonder if they are picking on him because something is going on they are picking up on something you aren’t seeing? When they attack do they to the point of injury or just run him off

I’m thinking about taking him to the vet just to be sure he’s not ill. I was just out with them and I put him with them to see what would happen and the girls peck at him, not in any specific part from what I saw. And he fights back and pecks back. My one Muscovy literally sat on his head. I am going to try again tomorrow and I’ll watch closer and see if maybe they are poking at something specific on him.

It makes so disheartened to think of having to separate them. They’ve lived together for so long. And to have to make a totally new set up is daunting. Ugh.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I know it is heartbreaking. I have 12- 8 and 7 yr old ducks they have been together all their lives and they do have their spats but they don’t gang up on anyone.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you can have him checked out that would be good. If you can maybe try him with your two Mallard hens and see how they act towards him.

 

[Hogan14]

If you can have him checked out that would be good. If you can maybe try him with your two Mallard hens and see how they act towards him.

That’s great they’ve never had an issue like this! But I do think that if I put all the mallards together it would definitely ease the issue. My female mallards are pretty chill. Here’s my plan of action: I’m going to get him checked out. If he appears to be healthy I’m going to wait one more week to assess the situation and see if it improves or gets worse and then I guess start looking into getting a new set up for the mallards.

 

[Hogan14]

If you can have him checked out that would be good. If you can maybe try him with your two Mallard hens and see how they act towards him.

And thanks for your quick responses.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Keep us updated please.

 

[Hogan14]

I will!

 

[Hogan14]

Ok so a little update. I sat and watched my drake today and he has a very tiny limp and it looks like the top of his right leg is a little swollen compared to his other leg. I’m going to take him to the vet on Monday. I’m unsure tho if this could be a reason the others have banished him or if it’s due to the fighting.

Before I noticed the limp (it was hard to see at first since the waddle kind of looks like a limp) he was out for a bit with all the other ducks bathing and there was no fighting. So I was happy with that. But then he did go back inside shortly after.

But ya I’ll give an update after the vet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Also check the bottom of his foot for bumble foot. It seems animals will try an force an injured or sick bird away to keep predators from coming around. Hopefully it’s just a sprain an nothing major. That is good news there wasn’t any fighting.

 

[Hogan14]

I checked the bottom of his foot and I didn’t see anything, but he was really flailing his feet so I’ll check again.

I’m personally hoping it’s just a minor injury and that’s why they’ve isolated him cuz then at least I can get it dealt with and then he can go back to the flock! So we will see. I called my vet and they can’t get him in until next Friday because of course the one time I need the vet that specializes in ducks, he’s on vacation! So I’m going to keep a close eye on him and just make him as comfortable as I can until then.