Duck Bullying

[Bobbimarks]

Hi there, Does anyone have a solution to duck bullying other than trying to keep them separate and locked up all day? We have free range ducks. 5 males and 3 females in the one flock. I am sure it has a lot to do with testosterone, but my beautiful male Rouen is getting picked on pretty bad. I am afraid he is going to get seriously injured. We have decided to pen him in with the other (young) flock overnight, but when out during the day, those adult males start harassing him again. Short of making the bullies dinner...I am not sure what else I can do.

 

[sourland]

Realistically you have 4 drakes too many. This behavior will continue to escalate as the day length increases and their testosterone levels rise. I would be seriously concerned about your duck hens being injured or even drowned if they have access to swimming water.

 

[Bobbimarks]

I know that we have too many drakes. The risk you take when you by them unsexed. We have a younger flock that we hatched ourselves and am PRAYING that there are a lot of females in that group!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I know that we have too many drakes. The risk you take when you by them unsexed. We have a younger flock that we hatched ourselves and am PRAYING that there are a lot of females in that group!

I'd keep him separated from the others till you know what you have in the younger group, your right in being worried. Just watch he doesn't start in on the younger ones. Drakes with testosterone surging can be unpredictable.

 

[mommy2x2]

Will Pekin Ducks Mate with Mallard Ducks ? I have 1 Female Mallard and 1 male mallard and 1 Male Pekin. The Pekin is trying to mate with the female mallard and thus causes the male mallard to attack the male Pekin. Any advise??!!

 

[sourland]

The best advice that I can give is to separate the pekin from the mallards. Conceivably he could injure her, and two drakes to one hen can be a recipe for disaster. Two drakes trying to breed a hen in water can result in her death by drowning.

 

[mommy2x2]

  The best advice that I can give is to separate the pekin from the mallards.  Conceivably he could injure her, and two drakes to one hen can be a recipe for disaster.  Two drakes trying to breed a hen in water can result in her death by drowning.

 

[mommy2x2]

Thanks so much. I did this.

 

[Duck Gal]

I have 3 drakes, 2 bullying the other. Should I re home 1 of them ? Will the 2 left then get a long?

 

[kaumlauf]

I have no advice, but I can tell you of my experience. I had 4 males and 2 females. One of the drakes decided to attack another. The one attacked suffered a broken neck, and was very seriously injured, and didn't make it, but possibly would have survived if taken to a vet.