Ducklings pecking and hurting each other

[416bigbore]

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. : )

More room the better.

 

[jennyman]

Thank you all so much for the help! I am working to build a larger space and will be taking them outside and for a swim much more!

 

[jennyman]

Thank you again for all of your help. Quick update. I currently have two different brooders and separated the ducks. (This is just temporary until I finish building the extension.) We have taken them on swims and long excursions outside. When the group went outside today, one duck started pulling/pecking at my girl's feathers again. (Only one duck is pulling and pecking and it is always the one that was originally bleeding.) This happened enough to make her wing feathers bleed again. Do you think it is still boredom? Is it because this duck had bled before?

Thank you!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you have blue kote? Not knowing if this will work but worth trying out some blue kote on the area where this duck is going at the feather. Using it with chickens disguises a wound so they won’t pick at it. Meaning the flock won’t pick at the bird. Just take care this stuff stains it has gentian violet In it but it works great.

 

[corriemartin]

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!

I was having that problem. One of my Swedish blues had white wing feathers coming in, and he was getting pecked at badly. But when I moved them to much larger quarters, with a real yard and swimming area and grass to bill around in, that all stopped.

 

[jennyman]

I was having that problem. One of my Swedish blues had white wing feathers coming in, and he was getting pecked at badly. But when I moved them to much larger quarters, with a real yard and swimming area and grass to bill around in, that all stopped.

Thank you! I am working on the bigger structure until then the flock is separated to give them more space. When they come together in a larger group is when one duck goes after the white weathers. (Currently they are only coming together outside where they have a pool and a huge area to explore.) That one duck does it until she bleeds when they are outside. Is there anything I can do in the meantime? Or just keep giving them space?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Did you try blue kote as a distraction?

 

[jennyman]

Did you try blue kote as a distraction?

I havent. She is currently going after everyone to keep snacks to herself or have the kiddie pool to herself for swimming. She isnt going after them to much in the brooder. (Which i made much bigger) Seems to do it more when we are around. She isnt making them bleed too much but is eating the baby fluff. She is on Mazuri feed. Stuck again. Thanks for all your help!

 

[Flyinbolts]

Definitely some boredom there. They need to get to a coop with a lamp and run rather than in the brooder.