Ducklings pecking and hurting each other

[jennyman]

I have 5 4 week old ducklings (2 Rouen, 1 Black Swedish, 1 Blue Swedish and 1 Buff) They're new wing feathers are coming in and one had a small bleed. (Everything is fine now.) However one of our other ducklings will not stop biting those wing tips and making them bleed again. I don't know how to get her to stop. I had them separated for a long time and that didn't seem to help. Maybe they are bored? Any ideas to help get that one duck to leave the injured one along would be much appreciated.

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Hi Jenny, welcome to this forum. Sorry to hear about your ducklings.
Can you upload pictures of your setup with the ducks in it?
Can they possibly be bored? Or live to crowded?

 

[jennyman]

I think boredom could be it! Here is the picture.

 

[Stipenvlerk]

@Isaac 0 will you be so kind to give us your expert advise?

Ι see some pretty duckies! @jennyman. But what I miss in the picture is a place where they can go and wash themselves or have a swim.

 

[jennyman]

@Isaac 0 will you be so kind to give us your expert advise?

Ι see some pretty duckies! @jennyman. But what I miss in the picture is a place where they can go and wash themselves or have a swim.

Hello! We take them to our bathtub to have a swim and clean up.

 

[Isaac 0]

Boredom is probably the underlying cause of the pecking in your case, their pen is much too small, and lacks things for them to do. I would suggest moving them into a MUCH bigger area, set some logs, branches, hang some lettuce on a rope, and provide a deep source of water that they can play in. If you do that I bet that fighting will stop.

Best of luck, and welcome to BackYard Chickens!

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Boredom is probably the underlying cause of the pecking in your case, their pen is much too small, and lacks things for them to do. I would suggest moving them into a MUCH bigger area, set some logs, branches, hang some lettuce on a rope, and provide a deep source of water that they can play in. If you do that I bet that fighting will stop.

Best of luck, and welcome to BackYard Chickens!

Thank you

 

[Miss Lydia]

Taking them outside can help too, let them run around explore, play in water in other words wear big them out, get some of that ducklIng energy out.

 

[416bigbore]

I agree with not having much room and a pool of some sort to splash in. They grow faster then you realize and will need bigger accommodations to help keep them healthy and happy. I am in this very same situation trying to expand so everyone has their own space. Good Luck.

 

[CrazyDuckLady90]

One of my mallard duckling was getting picked on until we got them outside for the day, they are probably just bored, try setting up a pen outside and let them out for a little bit or give them bath time. : )