duck drakes fighting....

[littlepip]

I know I shouldn't keep two drakes, but it hasn't been a problem until now. I have a pekin drake and a khaki campbell drake along with 4 females. They've made it almost 2 years with barely any problems. every now and then they would get a little fiesty and nibble at each other's feathers, but it would clear up within a few minutes. recently my Pekin has been out for blood. I've never seen him run more than a few feet considering how fat he is, but lately he's been running at my other drake like his life depends on it. My other drake isn't fighting back, and just runs away whenever my Pekin gets close. he can't get food or water because he's afraid. We are going to end up giving the pekin away on april 5 to a friend of ours, but until then I have them separated. even then my pekin will try to get at my drake. he'll stick his beak through the wood panels in his inclosure trying to peck him. this hasn't happened until now! it's been 3 days of nonstop fighting and I need help!

I'll try to post pics of the inclosures and fighting.

 

[littlepip]

UPDATE

I did some research and went with a different approach. dog owners sometimes spray sour apple on furniture to stop their pets from chewing on it. One website said spraying cologne on the duck that's being attacked can help, because the taste and smell is horrible to an attacking duck! I tried this, but it didn't help matters and the ducks are still going at it. plus...now we have 2 ducks that smell strongly like perfume! Anyway... does anyone have ideas???? we still have more than a week to go before I can give up my misbehaved drake.

If only ducks would understand time-outs or lectures.

 

[aart]

Put departing duck in crate(this says 'chickens' but think it would work for ducks too):
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rates-a-good-tool-for-every-chickeneer.72619/

 

[jvls1942]

you said you had the separated, so how can they still be fighting ?
it is spring. that might be the problem.

 

[sourland]

I don't think this is a pecking order situation. I believe it is breeding dominance. Testosterone levels are high, and the Pekin wants to assure that his DNA gets to be passed on so all competitors must be vanquished. The behavior will not cease until later in the season when hormone levels decrease. It's good that you are rehoming him.

 

[Cayuga momma]

I wouldn't spray anything on the ducks. It could mess with the oil that they coat their feathers with and you don't want to clog their oil gland and get wet feather.
You might want to wash them off with some dish soap and dry them.

 

[casportpony]

he'll stick his beak through the wood panels in his inclosure trying to peck him

You could add plywood so he can't see the other drake.

 

[DuckyBabies]

I’ve got two drakes as well who have started fighting. Breeding season is upon us, so they were asserting their dominance to each other. My pekin is like two times the size of my cayuga, so I had to separate before Dave got hurt. I would just keep them separated for the time being as well as you can, before he goes to another home.

 

[thumper650]

UPDATE
If only ducks would understand time-outs or lectures.

Try a group therapy sessions. I sit and ask my ducks "how does it make you feel when Roscoe attacks you?" All they say is Quack Quack Quack so I think we had a breakthrough.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Try a group therapy sessions. I sit and ask my ducks "how does it make you feel when Roscoe attacks you?" All they say is Quack Quack Quack so I think we had a breakthrough.

Are you related to Jpat?