female duck being aggressive...

[BlueSwede81]

I have a female duck that has been getting pushy with two of her flock mates. There is only two in particular she's trying to dominate, a male and a female. She been doing this since we lost one almost a week ago (fox nabbed him I think). She's losing the feathers on the back of her head because she just won't give up. it starts usually with pushing and pecking and she tries to her neck across the target but the target just pecks her head and the pushing/quacking continues. I think I'll try putting her in a separate sleeping pen. I thought she'd get it out of her system by now. What other methods have people tried?

I currently have 11 ducks (5 drakes, 6 females)

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Wow. That is some ratio. I'm suprised you don't have more issues. You're sure she is female?

 

[BlueSwede81]

Pretty sure. She's doesn't have the curly drake feathers, the green coloring that the boys have , or is the size that the males are.
I have a big yard (full acre) and I keep them in the front 1/3. In the spring the boys of course would get pushy but everyone has worked out their pecking order and they tolerate each other.
I didn't intend on that ratio: I originally had 1 male and 3 females, then one female had 9 babies

 

[sourland]

Keep an eye on things in the spring. If the drakes start gang breeding the hens there will be potential for injury or even drowning if they have access to swimming water.