Drake picking on one female

[casportpony]

Or maybe even @casportpony can explain.

I set up an enclosure made of 4' tall 2" x 4" welded wire and stick them in there alone.

 

[chickens really]

Yes, they are all laying eggs. Can somebody explain how drake jail works?

Drake jail is basically never letting him out with the Hens ever. Or not during breeding season and only when he is in eclipse so he isn't attacking hens. He might behave After his first eclipse and once his hormones are balanced...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Its always up to the owner of the drake when they let him out depending on how things are going. @thumper650 doesnt keep their drakes in drake jail yer round. Also @CayugaJana has experience too.

 

[onaharley]

Hi there! Oh the separation blues I have. I started out keeping Mr Ted separated from my only hen a year ago. She was taking a beating. Then I got ducklings and had to continue to separate. Welp! I ended up separating the whole yard until everyone was old enough. Found out that my ordered females turned into males. Rehome two males. Then on a whim I got two females, but still too young to incorporate into the flock. So Mr Ted stayed in jail. I would (and still do) route days of free range. Girls (4 in total) locked up and Ted to free range. Next day girls to free range and Ted locked up. Because of injuries to a couple of females, which I’m assuming Mr Ted did, Ted has stayed on this pattern.

Now everyone is of age, but the never ending injuries on two females (shockingly Ted did not do these because the two females have not had contact with Ted in 6 months) Ted has decided that one of the females he does not like at all!! At all! He chases her away, to the point where she just stands there looking all sorts of depressed. the thing is, this female is VERY strong willed. She is super jumpy and doesn’t like to be cornered. She is flighty, even for a Pekin, and rather good at flying. Ted can’t control her, and I think this why he does not like her. It saddens my heart but because I know she will come around but only on her terms.
This last week I have been doing control free range time with only Mr Ted and the one female. I am basically forcing them to like each other. At first, mr Ted would point his beak down and chase her away. No food or water or pool could this poor gal get into. Kinda like don’t come near me, or use anything I might like to use! Then it slowly evolved to sure we can sleep next each other but you stay way over there, oh and, let me have my way with you but then chase you off!! I think Ted has commitment issues! Each day (well every other day) seems to be better. I think slowly (and controlled) forcing them together will work for me. If not, sadly I will need to rehome either mr Ted or the hen. Trust me I don’t want too but what’s best for the flock takes over what my heart feels.

I don’t know if this is helpful but feel free to ask questions.

 

[thumper650]

I find that mine change who's picking on whom.

One of my pekins was out for my black runner, that's over but now my other runner is out to get that pekin. The other pekin just stands away when this happens, hoping nobody notices him!
They are seperated by breed right now and they're ok. Winter time everybody's buddy buddy.

 

[onaharley]

Here is a picture of my set up for Mr Ted’s jail house. It’s within the 10x10 pen. The door swings to and from. He can see everyone just can’t touch anyone.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Great setup!

 

[thumper650]

Here is a picture of my set up for Mr Ted’s jail house. It’s within the 10x10 pen. The door swings to and from. He can see everyone just can’t touch anyone.
View attachment 1721355 View attachment 1721356 View attachment 1721357 View attachment 1721358

Great setup for him, and you! It's great he can see them. Being alone really stresses them out.

 

[Runner duck mom]

Here is a picture of my set up for Mr Ted’s jail house. It’s within the 10x10 pen. The door swings to and from. He can see everyone just can’t touch anyone.
View attachment 1721355 View attachment 1721356 View attachment 1721357 View attachment 1721358

Nice setup We are working out issues with our drake as well...Is Ted in there for the whole day/ nights? Trying to figure if I need to seperate our drake full time. We are currently giving our girls a break in the afternoons to bathe, eat and do their own thing without being bothered.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Nice setup We are working out issues with our drake as well...Is Ted in there for the whole day/ nights? Trying to figure if I need to seperate our drake full time. We are currently giving our girls a break in the afternoons to bathe, eat and do their own thing without being bothered.

Really! Maybe we need to trade drakes for a little bit. My little Sambo just stands there at the edge of the pool looking at the girls tearing it up in the pool. Taking drinks of water like he's got no job to do! Now I know he knows what to do because I've caught him in the act on the 17th! Silly me, I thought then that he'd be on a roll but nope. Just stands there watching the girls go at it! I literally have not seen him doing anything since then.