Duck refusing go join the flock?

[LittleDuckies]

I recently noticed that one of my drakes is refusing to be with the flock, he still follows them around but always maintains a great distance and if they move closer to him he moves away. He isn't new to the flock, he's actually one of the original 2. I've had to take him aside to get him water because he won't drink if the flock is near the pool, I also had to feed him away from everyone else. Just noticed this behavior last night. Any insight is appreciated

 

[sourland]

My gut instinct is that another drake/drakes are attacking him.

 

[Love Donkeys]

My gut instinct is that another drake/drakes are attacking him.

I think you are on the money with that answer.....

I have a young roo that does the same thing. The older rooster always picks on him. The younger one is always the last in line....

 

[LittleDuckies]

My gut instinct is that another drake/drakes are attacking him.

I did notice one of the drakes (pickles) picking on him. What do I do?? I feel so bad for him.

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

I did notice one of the drakes (pickles) picking on him. What do I do?? I feel so bad for him.

I had the same problem some months ago : probably because of hormones (mating season), Arthur - one of my drakes - decided he was the boss, and kept attacking my two oldest drakes...

To fix this problem : I have just separated the boys for some weeks (I did not count how many, but it felt pretty long then).
They could then see each other, but not touch each other.

When I put them together again, there was no fight anymore - even though it was still mating season.
...Thankfully, because Arthur was really aggressive - so much so I was afraid he would end up killing the other drakes... (I have read stories...!!)

I don't know if your drake is being so picked on that is the reason he is behaving like that, but still : you could want to be careful, and separate him for some weeks - maybe one month, or even one and a half months, if possible?
...Do give him some girls then, if you can, so he is not sad and alone during the separation period.

Good luck.

 

[Callender Girl]

I agree with everyone that it's probably an aggression issue with another drake. My two runner drakes have lived together for a few years with no real issues, despite small hormonal dust-ups over the girls.

Suddenly, this spring, the senior boy, Sheldon, regularly got really mean with Layne, who ended up with an injured wing that developed an infection in the bone (and a pricey vet bill).

Since then, I have reworked the duck living quarters. The main shelter is separated from a converted dog house where Layne and "his" hen, Blair, sleep at night, separated from the rest of the flock. During the day, I alternate letting those two out of the fenced area to "free range" while Sheldon and the other girls are penned. The next day, the flock runs free, and Layne and Blair remain penned.

The boys are always separated by wire fencing. Some days they will lay side by side, with the fence between them. Other days, they will STILL attempt to fight each other through the wire. Every so often, I try letting everyone out at the same time. It has not worked well so far.

I hope you can get things settled for your boy!

 

[LittleDuckies]

Thank you! I am going to get right on that!

Hi.



I had the same problem some months ago : probably because of hormones (mating season), Arthur - one of my drakes - decided he was the boss, and kept attacking my two oldest drakes...

To fix this problem : I have just separated the boys for some weeks (I did not count how many, but it felt pretty long then).
They could then see each other, but not touch each other.

When I put them together again, there was no fight anymore - even though it was still mating season.
...Thankfully, because Arthur was really aggressive - so much so I was afraid he would end up killing the other drakes... (I have read stories...!!)

I don't know if your drake is being so picked on that is the reason he is behaving like that, but still : you could want to be careful, and separate him for some weeks - maybe one month, or even one and a half months, if possible?
...Do give him some girls then, if you can, so he is not sad and alone during the separation period.

Good luck.

 

[LittleDuckies]

Thinking about separating one of them from the rest of the flock for a couple weeks, should I take the drake who's being a bully and put him in a seperate area? Ot should I put the drake who is being bullied in a seperate area?

I agree with everyone that it's probably an aggression issue with another drake. My two runner drakes have lived together for a few years with no real issues, despite small hormonal dust-ups over the girls.

Suddenly, this spring, the senior boy, Sheldon, regularly got really mean with Layne, who ended up with an injured wing that developed an infection in the bone (and a pricey vet bill).

Since then, I have reworked the duck living quarters. The main shelter is separated from a converted dog house where Layne and "his" hen, Blair, sleep at night, separated from the rest of the flock. During the day, I alternate letting those two out of the fenced area to "free range" while Sheldon and the other girls are penned. The next day, the flock runs free, and Layne and Blair remain penned.

The boys are always separated by wire fencing. Some days they will lay side by side, with the fence between them. Other days, they will STILL attempt to fight each other through the wire. Every so often, I try letting everyone out at the same time. It has not worked well so far.

I hope you can get things settled for your boy!

 

[Callender Girl]

I put Layne and his girl, Blair, in a separate, small house and pen because my senior drake, Sheldon, is RELENTLESS in mating with all of the girls as well as attacking Layne. I should put Sheldon ALONE. But, he is my last surviving original duck; I chose him as a day-old duckling from a great breeder. I feel badly isolating him from the girls. He is clearly the Duck King, and I don't want to demote him, despite his bad -- but natural -- behavior.

I put Blair and Layne together for her own good, too. Sheldon bred her so often and so roughly that he tore the edges of her eyes; fortunately, she can still see. Once in a while, I leave Sheldon alone in the shelter and let the girls hang out in the yard with Layne and Blair. They have all been part of the same flock for more than six years, but this year, something went haywire, I guess.

I think trial and error may be your best bet to see what works for you. Please, keep us posted!!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Personally, I would separate the bully and let flock dynamics reset.