Ducks picking on younger ducks

[andrea1215]

We just moved our seven week old White layer and seven week old Welsh Harlequin outside with the other ducks less than a week ago. They are fine in their run, but at night the older ducks pick on the younger two. Our White layer is now missing all her feathers in a few spots on her neck and back. I have put the two young ducks together in a pen, in the duck house at night. We have six older ducks, they are about 3 1/2 months old. Any suggestions on how to get the older ducks to quit picking on the younger two? Thanks!

Here is our set up at night-

 

[Amiga]

Generally speaking, younger ducks must be kept safe from adults until the youngers are adult size. And then introductions need to be supervised and only once you are sure there is no problem can they be left as one flock by themselves.

Most of it is just observation - watching how they are together. You need to watch the white one closely - if she was mated by the adults she could have internal injuries.

 

[andrea1215]

They are all females, except the seven week old Welsh Harlequin.

They seem fine together during the day, I guess they like to bother the young ones at night.

 

[andrea1215]

Are my other ducks considered adults at 3 1/2 months old?

 

[Amiga]

They are just about 90% of their adult size at that age, from what I have seen and read.

Okay, thanks for clarifying that there are no drakes.

I think ducks may just get bored in their shelters at night, and like some people, look to stir things up.