female buff duck aggression got a little out of control today...

[Bokbok]

I have three buff ducks, all female, and one specifically has been a little dominant, mounting the other female and what-not. But today she was being viscious! My husband was so alarmed, he kept calling me out there to witness Buttercup (they are named after the Powerpuff Girls. Yes we have lots of children...) Buttercup was tearing the feathers out of the other girls. In the pond, on the dry land, she was just being nasty, and gulping those feathers right down.

So I secluded her to a little pen of her own with water and food. The other two ducks just stare at her through the chicken wire like they do not understand.

I really want to put an end to her aggressiveness. Any tips or clues?

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Perhaps a little 'detention' is what she needs periodically. I have to do that when my muscovy drake gets too hormonal.

 

[Wifezilla]

She ate the feathers? Are they getting enough protein?

(Of course it is possible your duck is just a jerk, but you might want to give them some extra protein and see if the behavior stops)

 

[streemers]

when i first got my mallard she was raised on chicken feed at her old house and would eat the feathers in the pond. but after a week on duck food she cut it out. like wifezilla said might be a protein prob.

 

[Bokbok]

Wow, good call on the protein. They've been getting scratch and lettuce (the got into the garden a couple times!) for a little while, as we've been broke and unable to afford food for ducks and humans alike, but I discovered some leftover rabbit food from the bunny that ran away a couple months ago, so I started them on that yesterday. It's got 16% protein, it says. Hopefully that will help.

 

[Wifezilla]

Can you dig them up some worms? There is some good free protein right there.