duck trying to mate chicken

[agilman]

About 5 months ago I purchased 6 chickens and 2 ducks. The share a hen house that's big enough for all of them. I habe a male and femal duck. My drake seems to think the only buff orphington in the group is a female duck. He keeps chasing her and grabbing her by the neck and dragging her around. He tries to mount her but is unsuccessful. I feel bad because if I'm tossing treats he chases her away and then she just goes off alone and avoids him. She starts squawking and running away when he gets near her. And then he chases her until he catches her. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Is there anything I can do? He doesn't do this to any of the other hens and I have 30 of them in all.

 

[casportpony]

About 5 months ago I purchased 6 chickens and 2 ducks. The share a hen house that's big enough for all of them. I habe a male and femal duck. My drake seems to think the only buff orphington in the group is a female duck. He keeps chasing her and grabbing her by the neck and dragging her around. He tries to mount her but is unsuccessful. I feel bad because if I'm tossing treats he chases her away and then she just goes off alone and avoids him. She starts squawking and running away when he gets near her. And then he chases her until he catches her. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Is there anything I can do? He doesn't do this to any of the other hens and I have 30 of them in all.

Welcome to BYC! I have a few that do that, and it's a hard habit to break, so would be best to put the two ducks in their own pen, because if you don't separate him, it's possible that he will fatally injure your chicken some day.

-Kathy

 

[TwoCrows]

X2...You need to keep the ducks separate all the times. The drakes have very long "equipment" and will kill your hen. They can also drag them into the water and drown hens. So keep the ducks in their own area.

 

[agilman]

I can pen them separately but they are free range all day.

 

[chickens really]

Free range is great as long as the hen can get away. he will end up injuring your hen or killing her.
Dont you wish it was so simple??
I sure do...Everyday is a new challenge with birds!

 

[casportpony]

I can pen them separately but they are free range all day.

My naughty drake injured one of mine... I'll see if I can find a picture of the damage he caused.

-Kathy

 

[Quackalackin]

I'd seperate the ducks for a bit, even if that means taking them off free range. Then after a week or so try reintroducing them and see if he loses his obsession

 

[casportpony]

I'd seperate the ducks for a bit, even if that means taking them off free range. Then after a week or so try reintroducing them and see if he loses his obsession

Definitely worth a try, but I tried that with mine and he was back at in in no time.

-Kathy

 

[agilman]

I have a 20 by 20 chicken run that I use for smaller chicks to play in. But I don't have smaller chicks so the 2 ducks are going in there. And I separated them from all other birds tonight. If they don't stop I will just rehome them. I love my chickens. The drake chases me ( which is funny) aND my girl runs from us keeps to herself.

 

[agilman]

Well I have one hatching! Glad I didn't throw them all away!