Ducks picking on chickens

[MommaSampson]

My ducks have starting pecking and pulling feathers on my chickens! They're both girls and one grew up with the chickens I have so it's not that they're new. The second duck I've had for a few weeks but she's never paid any attention to them other than feeding time. Anyone have any advice or experience with this?

 

[Kevin565]

What are you feeding them? How long has this been going on?

 

[MommaSampson]

Cracked corn plus they run free in the yard so they forage too. I just noticed it today.

 

[Kevin565]

Cracked corn is not a complete diet. They could be pulling the feathers to supplement a deficiency. Are they eating the feathers?

 

[MommaSampson]

No just pulling. What else do they need for a complete diet?

 

[Kevin565]

Where are the feathers being pulled from? Have they tried to mount your chickens?


I would still give them access to some form of poultry feed especially any laying birds. Laying eggs takes a lot out of them and their bodies can quickly use up certain nutrients for egg production. Since they are free ranging they probably will not need as much feed as penned birds would need.

 

[MommaSampson]

From the tail region. They aren't laying that I'm aware. I've not seen any eggs laying around.