Ducklings trying to kill each other!

[fogbubble]

I've got 6 mallard/Welsh Harlequin ducklings that are not quite 6 weeks old. They were hatched naturally under one of my female Harlequins and spend their days running around with the adults. Two of these teenagers, FEMALES, have started fighting. It's vicious and neary constant. One bird's eyes are nearly swollen shut and the other is mostly bald around the neck. Is this normal? I mean, they were just hatched on May 3rd! I don't want to have to get rid of any females either. Oh well...

 

[Wifezilla]

They are fighting for dominance. This is normal, though your girls seem exceptionally determined. I would separate them where they can still see each other but not attach each other. Then let them back together after a week or so.

At my place I have a teenaged boy Welsh Harlequin and the 1 year old girls keep trying to beat him up! Sheesssh!