Duck constantly peck other duck

[Tara2018]

Hi all just wondering could somebody help me. I hatched out two call ducks they are 6 and a half weeks old. Fully feathered and off the heat. During the day they are out in the garden loads of space, water to get in and out of, plenty of drinking water and plenty of food, glass and flies. I'm feeding them duck grower 15% protein. I read that I should lower the protein by the time they're 3 weeks because they could develop angel Wing syndrome with too much protein. They were on 20% protein which I gradually reduced. They're brought into the shed at night. The thing is today we noticed one duck is constantly following the other around pecking at its back/tail/chest. Anywhere really it can get at and causing the other one to let out a loud quack as if in pain. It only started today and has been non stop, tried separating it for a while and letting them back together but it just happens again. There's no blood drawn yet but I wouldn't like to wait till there is, I can't see any feathers coming out just yet but that doesn't mean if they're left together tonight that there won't be. They've been separated tonight, any solutions or reasons for this? There's only the two of them. Any advice would be great thanks

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you know the sexes of your ducks? and

 

[Tara2018]

Do you know the sexes of your ducks? and

No I don't I'm afraid they're still squeaking at the minute not actually quacking yet, and thank you

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you pick one up at a time and walk away from the other or others you might be able to tell.

Ducks can be just like kids and be bullies want to show dominance and knowing the sex can help put it into perspective.
I don't have Calls so I would like for someone who does address this and see if this is common with theirs.

@WVduckchick
@shawluvsbirds
@Pyxis

 

[WVduckchick]

Sounds like just juvenile pranks to me. Unless you plan to rehome any of them, I’d say let them work it out amongst themselves, unless it gets too dangerous.
Separating them will likely just make it worse to reintroduce them later, if you plan to keep them all.

 

[Pyxis]

Sounds like just juvenile pranks to me. Unless you plan to rehome any of them, I’d say let them work it out amongst themselves, unless it gets too dangerous.
Separating them will likely just make it worse to reintroduce them later, if you plan to keep them all.

X2. I also find it interesting that it has started now, just when you've reduced the protein on their feed. 15% might be a little too low for six week old ducklings that are still growing and are growing feathers, which takes a lot of protein. Feather eating is a common symptom of protein deficiency.

Angel wing can be caused by a lot of things, and I know too high protein has been linked, but I think it would have to be just very high. I feed mine a 22% protein feed from the time they are hatched to when they go on their adult feed (which is actually a 20% chick starter) and none of mine have ever developed angel wing since I've been feeding this way.

The only duck I have ever actually had develop angel wing was a mallard from a feed store. He was a drake and developed it in his left wing, which is the most common presentation of angel wing. And he was on an 18% protein feed at the time. I think in his case it was probably genetics that caused it.

So what I'm saying is, maybe bump the protein and see if it stops.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

X2. I also find it interesting that it has started now, just when you've reduced the protein on their feed. 15% might be a little too low for six week old ducklings that are still growing and are growing feathers, which takes a lot of protein. Feather eating is a common symptom of protein deficiency.

Angel wing can be caused by a lot of things, and I know too high protein has been linked, but I think it would have to be just very high. I feed mine a 22% protein feed from the time they are hatched to when they go on their adult feed (which is actually a 20% chick starter) and none of mine have ever developed angel wing since I've been feeding this way.

The only duck I have ever actually had develop angel wing was a mallard from a feed store. He was a drake and developed it in his left wing, which is the most common presentation of angel wing. And he was on an 18% protein feed at the time. I think in his case it was probably genetics that caused it.

So what I'm saying is, maybe bump the protein and see if it stops.

×2 on everything already said
Sorry. . .I'm always late to the party
Call ducks are little stinkers for sure. Not sure why one would start picking on the other if they have been raised together that is kind of strange. .so I would raise the protein just in case it is a feather picking thing going on. I have been raising mine on 22% feed for the first 7 weeks and then I go to an all flock feed that is 18% and no Angel wing.
I'm not convinced high protein causes that at all. One of my first call duck babies developed it and I was actually feeding a lower protein feed back then. I think it was only 14%

 

[Tara2018]

Thanks everyone for your replies so helpful I have picked one of them up and walked away but they don't care because they've been hand raised and used to being picked up and with me so it doesn't cause alarm. I have the one that's pecking in a pen outside along side the other one so they can be together but not able to peck him/her.the one being pecked has no peace even when it sits down the other insists on pecking so for now I think I'll leave them separated and I'll boost back up the protein. They don't seem to be eating a lot of their meal since being brought outside, are there any especially high protein bits that I could give them? Like hard boiled eggs or something along with their food? And thanks again for everyone's replies @WVduckchick @Pyxis @shawluvsbirds @Miss Lydia

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mine love dry dog food and dried meal worms 2 of their favs. Some use dry cat food just make sure to get a good quality of either, I buy for my dogs Salmon and pea so that is what my birds get.

Probably a good idea to keep them separated it's sad when one has to be put through the stress of a bully for no known reason. If both males you should know soon and maybe split up the females between them. Or could be 2 girls I don't have Calls but my Muscovy girls can pick on each other when hormones are getting the best of them.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Could be they are finding lots of stuff to munch on outside.
You can give them anything miss Lydia said, watch the size though on the dog and cat food that it isn't big pieces. Might have to put some in a baggie and take a hammer to it first. I like to give mine this ultra kibble for a treat.