So, today we went to buy some more ducks/ducklings seeing as a fox nabbed some of our flock. We ended up buying 10 muscovy ducklings(1-2 weeks), and 2 muscovy juniors(4-5 weeks). While we were at the farm selling them they showed us all their ducks, almost a hundred muscovies! The thirtysome juniors they had were pulling at the ends of each others wings frequently while we were there. The one being pulled on was crying out obviously in pain. The owners of the farm said that their ducks did this all the time and said it was a natural way for the ducks to trim their feathers. We purchased our ducks and brought them home. At home we observed as the male junior began pulling incessantly on the wings and tail feathers of the other ducklings we purchased! We thought maybe he was hungry and tossed all the kids some food. After a flurry of gobbling down dinner he picked up right where he left off and picked on all the other 11. We now have him separated in his own cage away from the other ducklings until we can break him of this habit. The question becomes, how DO we break him of this habit? I am thinking that if I keep him separated from the rest of the ducks for a few days with his own food and water, with a little time with the others to socialize, maybe he'll get better. What do you guys suggest?
