Feather Pecking - Muscovy Ducks

[Going Quackers]

I'll defer to the suggestions already made, as i have NO experience with this! How frustrating, hopefully you get to the source of it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

i've just had this problem too! first time in 2 years. i've incubated a batch, rasied them together and this particular batch just picks feathers. they have plenty of food & greens. frustrating!

Hey ian great to see you back on BYC! Thankfully I haven't ever had this problem either.

 

[cskotek]

Argh!! I never with all the ducks I have raised had an issue UNTIL I had to raise the scovys!!! I am getting so sick of it! **** things!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Argh!! I never with all the ducks I have raised had an issue UNTIL I had to raise the scovys!!! I am getting so sick of it! **** things!

Your Scovy's are feather pecking? what age?

 

[cskotek]

Your Scovy's are feather pecking? what age?

duckling... And I THINK I have it under control... I have been taking them multipal times t the pond and LOTS of treats.. kinda a pain in the ***!

 

[Miss Lydia]

duckling... And I THINK I have it under control... I have been taking them multipal times t the pond and LOTS of treats.. kinda a pain in the ***!

Boredom most likely, your a good mama duck to get them out for adventures.

 

[cskotek]

Boredom most likely, your a good mama duck to get them out for adventures.

Thanks... But it is still a pain.. and still figureing out a 'proper' diet for the goose I have... and finishing their pen... and the same goes for the pheasants... I am drained... Lots of research.. Maybe I will hit the library up tomorrow to see if they have any good books.

 

[WalachaFarm]

I have 9 Rouens and 1 Sweet Emily. The runty Rouen is pecking his back until its bald & bloody. Ive been trying to keep it clean, but then he moves to his wings. He stresses out really easy, so I thought it was anxiety. After reading these comments I agree its entirely possible that he is bored (the bigger ducks generally ignore him). Im going to try the lettuce & peas in his pool. Maybe a couple hours a day of activity will hopefully help him through.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Luna Lynx]

Hello! I'm a first time duck mom of 5 muscovies. They are 6 weeks old and one has started feather eating. I let them free range in the day. They hang out in a 5ft by 2.5ft tub at night with wood shavings for bedding. They have chicken grower pellets at night. They are always close to water. The get plenty to eat and forage a lot. I give them bowlfuls of duckweed (40% protein). I've only ever seen one feather eating. It has bloodied up the other's tails. It is very disconcerting. When I isolate the feather eater he just cries and cries and tries to escape endlessly. Not sure what to do. I keep it in a large dog crate where it can see the others outside. I have no idea what to do at this point. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Tanya S]

I have two muscovy ducks in with my laying hens and roosters. I have been witnessing what I'd consider a negative behavior from my ducks. They appear to bully my chickens and pull at the hens tails. If I let them out to our attached pen/ grass area the ducks will chase the chickens out of the pen. Back toward the coop. I've noticed the past while that the ducks also seem to herd the chickens into the coop in the evening and act as though they won't let them out as tgey stand at tge doorway. I'm frustrated and confused because muscovy's are supposed to quite easy going....from what I've read.